Determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) residues in water samples

Pharmacologically active substances used to treat human and animal illnesses can enter the aquatic environment via effluents from wastewater treatment plants or in the case of veterinary drugs directly through liquid manure discharge. Some of these substances enter the environment either as the parent compound or as active/inactive metabolites. Due to their pharmacological activity, their determination and understanding their behavior and fate in the environment are important. The scope of this paper was to develop an analytical procedure to determine common pharmaceutical residues in wastewaters. Pharmacologically active substances were chosen according to their wide spread application in Slovenia and Central Europe and are members of analgesics, e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen and diclofenac. Selected compounds were isolated from synthetic water using a novel SPE sorbent Strata X. Due to the non-volatile nature of these compounds they were first silylised prior to gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric detection. The developed procedure was tested with synthetic wastewaters and their extraction efficiency (>84%) and method limits of detection (2-6 ng L(-1)) were determined. Our procedure has been adopted and optimised for "real" water samples and applied to eleven drinking and ten river water samples from Slovenia. The results showed no traces of NSAIDs in all potable water samples and low-range contamination (ng L(-1)) of Slovene rivers. These results show that NSAIDs contamination of Slovene waters is comparable with published results of water contamination in Central Europe.     

Occurrence and risk assessment of pharmaceutically active compounds in wastewater treatment plants. A case study: Seville city (Spain)

The occurrence of four anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen and naproxen), an antiepileptic drug (carbamazepine) and a nervous stimulant (caffeine) in influent and effluent samples from four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Seville was evaluated. Removal rates in the WWTPs and risk assessment of the pharmaceutically active compounds have been studied. Analytical determination was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array (DAD) and fluorescence (Fl) detectors after sample clean up and concentration by solid phase extraction. All pharmaceutically active compounds, except diclofenac, were detected not only in wastewater influents but also in wastewater effluents. Mean concentrations of caffeine, carbamazepine, ketoprofen and naproxen ranged between 0.28-11.44 microg l(-1) and 0.21-2.62 microg l(-1) in influent and effluent wastewater, respectively. Ibuprofen was present in the highest concentrations in the range 12.13-373.11 microg l(-1) and 0.78-48.24 microg l(-1) in influent and effluent wastewater, respectively. Removal rates of the pharmaceuticals ranged between 6 and 98%. Risk quotients, expressed as ratios between the measured environmental concentration (MEC) and the predicted no effect concentrations (PNEC) were higher than 1 for ibuprofen and naproxen in influent wastewater and for ibuprofen in effluent wastewater.     

Partitioning of polar and non-polar neutral organic chemicals into human and cow milk

The aim of this work was to develop a predictive model for milk/water partition coefficients of neutral organic compounds. Batch experiments were performed for 119 diverse organic chemicals in human milk and raw and processed cow milk at 37°C. No differences (<0.3 log units) in the partition coefficients of these types of milk were observed. The polyparameter linear free energy relationship model fit the calibration data well (SD=0.22 log units). An experimental validation data set including hormones and hormone active compounds was predicted satisfactorily by the model. An alternative modelling approach based on log K(ow) revealed a poorer performance. The model presented here provides a significant improvement in predicting enrichment of potentially hazardous chemicals in milk. In combination with physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling this improvement in the estimation of milk/water partitioning coefficients may allow a better risk assessment for a wide range of neutral organic chemicals.     

Triclosan in waste and surface waters from the upper Detroit River by liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry

Triclosan (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol) is an antimicroibial disinfectant agent used in a wide array of consumer products. An analytical method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by reverse phase, liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization (negative)-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-ESI(-)-MS/MS; in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode) was developed, optimized and validated for the determination of triclosan in wastewater/sewage treatment plant (WSTP) effluent and surface waters from the upper Detroit River (Canada). The mean recoveries (+/-%RSD) of triclosan and the internal standard 2'-HO-tribromodiphenyl ether (2'-HO-BDE-28) spiked to surface water and WSTP effluent samples ranged similarly from 104+/-8% and 91+/-10%, respectively, and method limits of quantification were in the low ppb/high ppt range. However, ESI(-) enhancement was found for both analytes due to sample matrix effects, as indicated by % process efficiencies (a measure of ESI(-) enhancement/suppression), which were in the 111-128% range. We report the first known assessment of triclosan in the Detroit River watershed of the Great Lakes, which preliminarily examined the presence and UV-treatment effects on triclosan in effluent from the major WSTP serving the City of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and fate in surface waters of the upper Detroit River. Triclosan in WSTP effluent decreased 22% after final UV treatment to a mean concentration of 63 ng/L. Concentrations were further reduced to 4 and 8 ng/L (a >90% reduction) in surface water samples from sites downstream on the Canadian shoreline of the Detroit River, which was due to dilution. Two hydroxylated tribrominated diphenyl ethers, which are structurally similar to triclosan, were also detected in WSTP effluent and surface water samples.     

Measurement of flame retardants and triclosan in municipal sewage sludge and biosolids

As polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) face increasing restrictions worldwide, several alternate flame retardants are expected to see increased use as replacement compounds in consumer products. Chemical analysis of biosolids collected from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can help determine whether these flame retardants are migrating from the indoor environment to the outdoor environment, where little is known about their ultimate fate and effects. The objective of this study was to measure concentrations of a suite of flame retardants, and the antimicrobial compound triclosan, in opportunistic samples of municipal biosolids and the domestic sludge Standard Reference Material (SRM) 2781. Grab samples of biosolids were collected from two WWTPs in North Carolina and two in California. Biosolids samples were also obtained during three subsequent collection events at one of the North Carolina WWTPs to evaluate fluctuations in contaminant levels within a given facility over a period of three years. The biosolids and SRM 2781 were analyzed for PBDEs, hexabromobenzene (HBB), 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE), 2-ethylhexyl 2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (TBB), di(2-ethylhexyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrabromophthalate (TBPH), the chlorinated flame retardant Dechlorane Plus (syn- and anti-isomers), and the antimicrobial agent 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol (triclosan). PBDEs were detected in every sample analyzed, and ΣPBDE concentrations ranged from 1750 to 6358 ng/g dry weight. Additionally, the PBDE replacement chemicals TBB and TBPH were detected at concentrations ranging from 120 to 3749 ng/g dry weight and from 206 to 1631 ng/g dry weight, respectively. Triclosan concentrations ranged from 490 to 13,866 ng/g dry weight. The detection of these contaminants of emerging concern in biosolids suggests that these chemicals have the potential to migrate out of consumer products and enter the outdoor environment.     

Exploring the fate,transport and risk of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) in a coastal region of China using a multimedia model

Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and related substances have been widely applied in both industrial processes and domestic products in China. Exploring the environmental fate and transport of PFOS using modeling methods provides an important link between emission and multimedia diffusion which forms a vital part in the human health risk assessment and chemical management for these substances. In this study, the gridded fugacity based BETR model was modified to make it more suitable to model transfer processes of PFOS in a coastal region, including changes to PFOS partition coefficients to reflect the influence of water salinity on its sorption behavior. The fate and transport of PFOS in the Bohai coastal region of China were simulated under steady state with the modified version of the model. Spatially distributed emissions of PFOS and related substances in 2010 were estimated and used in these simulations. Four different emission scenarios were investigated, in which a range of half-lives for PFOS related substances were considered. Concentrations of PFOS in air, vegetation, soil, fresh water, fresh water sediment and coastal water were derived from the model under the steady-state assumption. The median modeled PFOS concentrations in fresh water, fresh water sediment and soil were 7.20 ng/L, 0.39 ng/g and 0.21 ng/g, respectively, under Emission Scenario 2 (which assumed all PFOS related substances immediately degrade to PFOS) for the whole region, while the maximum concentrations were 47.10 ng/L, 4.98 ng/g and 2.49 ng/g, respectively. Measured concentration data for PFOS in the Bohai coastal region around the year of 2010 were collected from the literature. The reliability of the model results was evaluated by comparing the range of modeled concentrations with the measured data, which generally matched well for the main compartments. Fate and transfer fluxes were derived from the model based on the calculated inventory within the compartments, transfer fluxes between compartments and advection fluxes between sub-regions. It showed that soil and costal water were likely to be the most important sinks of PFOS in the Bohai costal region, in which more than 90% of PFOS was stored. Flows of fresh water were the driving force for spatial transport of PFOS in this region. Influences of the seasonal change of fresh water fluxes on the model results were also analyzed. When only seasonal changes of the fresh water flow rates were considered, concentrations of PFOS in winter and spring were predicted to be higher than that under annual average conditions, while the concentrations in summer and autumn were lower. For PFOS fluxes entering the sea, opposite conclusions were drawn compared to the concentrations. Environmental risks from the presence of PFOS in fresh water were assessed for this region through comparison with available water quality criteria values. The predicted concentrations of PFOS in the Bohai coastal region provided by the model were lower than the water quality criteria published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Chinese researchers, while the concentrations in more than 80% of the sampling locations exceeded the European Union Water Framework Directive Environmental Quality Standards values. Seasonal variations of flow rate might cause a significant increase in environmental risks.     

A new multimedia contaminant fate model for China: How important are environmental parameters in influencing chemical persistence and long-range transport potential?

We present a new multimedia chemical fate model (SESAMe) which was developed to assess chemical fate and behaviour across China. We apply the model to quantify the influence of environmental parameters on chemical overall persistence (P_OV) and long-range transport potential (LRTP) in China, which has extreme diversity in environmental conditions. Sobol sensitivity analysis was used to identify the relative importance of input parameters. Physicochemical properties were identified as more influential than environmental parameters on model output. Interactive effects of environmental parameters on P_OV and LRTP occur mainly in combination with chemical properties. Hypothetical chemicals and emission data were used to model P_OV and LRTP for neutral and acidic chemicals with different K_OW/D_OW, vapour pressure and pK_a under different precipitation, wind speed, temperature and soil organic carbon contents (f_OC). Generally for P_OV, precipitation was more influential than the other environmental parameters, whilst temperature and wind speed did not contribute significantly to P_OV variation; for LRTP, wind speed was more influential than the other environmental parameters, whilst the effects of other environmental parameters relied on specific chemical properties. f_OC had a slight effect on P_OV and LRTP, and higher f_OC always increased P_OV and decreased LRTP. Example case studies were performed on real test chemicals using SESAMe to explore the spatial variability of model output and how environmental properties affect P_OV and LRTP. Dibenzofuran released to multiple media had higher P_OV in northwest of Xinjiang, part of Gansu, northeast of Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang and Jilin. Benzo[a]pyrene released to the air had higher LRTP in south Xinjiang and west Inner Mongolia, whilst acenaphthene had higher LRTP in Tibet and west Inner Mongolia. TCS released into water had higher LRTP in Yellow River and Yangtze River catchments. The initial case studies demonstrated that SESAMe performed well on comparing P_OV and LRTP of chemicals in different regions across China in order to potentially identify the most sensitive regions. This model should not only be used to estimate P_OV and LRTP for screening and risk assessments of chemicals, but could potentially be used to help design chemical monitoring programmes across China in the future.     

生态修复后海三棱藨草湿地底栖生物多样性的年度变化及影响因子

如何确定湿地生态修复过程中底栖生物群落结构的变化及其影响因子对湿地生态系统操纵及生态修复效果有重要意义。研究以南汇东滩海三棱藨草湿地为对象,研究底栖生物群落结构的年度季节变化及空间格局。共鉴定大型底栖动物30种,四季都存在的优势种有光滑狭口螺、拟沼螺、堇拟沼螺和中国绿螂。春季以中国绿螂为主要物种,优势度大于0.4;夏季以拟沼螺和堇拟沼螺为主,优势度分别大于0.1和0.2;秋冬季优势种数目比春夏季高,均为13种,但优势种值较春夏季为低,且均匀。多样性、丰富度指数(p0.01)及均一性指数(p0.05)在空间上均具有显著性差异,其中多样性指数最高到达2.53。根据近岸海域环境监测规范(HJ442-2008),南汇东滩湿地生境质量从极差、差改善成等级一般,生境质量提高明显。底栖生物群落结构影响因素的排序分析表明,春夏秋三季大型底栖动物群落结构特征与植被指数及高程相关,其次是有机碳、含水率、导电率和硝氮,而冬季大型底栖动物群落结构特征受含水率、导电率和硝氮的影响最大。     

基于PCA和SOM网络的洪泽湖水质时空变化特征分析

2010年分4个季度对洪泽湖全湖20个样点的水质理化特征进行了定期监测,采用修正的卡尔森营养状态指数法（TSIm）综合评价了洪泽湖水质的营养状况,同时应用主成分分析（PCA）和自组织特征映射网络（SOM网络）分析了洪泽湖水质的时空变化特征。结果显示：除了水深（WD）和透明度（SD）,洪泽湖的pH、EC、NH+4 N、TN、TP、和CODMn等水质参数季节差异显著。TSIm综合评价结果表明洪泽湖4个季节的水质均呈富营养化状态,夏季富营养化程度最严重。PCA分析表明洪泽湖水质主要受离子和氮盐的控制,磷不是控制洪泽湖水质的最主要因素。SOM网络将全湖20个样点聚为G1、G2和G3三类,G1代表洪泽湖相对封闭的北部区域,有沉水植被分布,水质主要受围网养殖污染的影响;G2代表洪泽湖东部和南部区域,〖JP2〗航运繁忙,直接承接淮河入湖河水,水质主要受淮河入湖河水和航运的影响;G3代表洪泽湖西部水域,沿岸密布养殖池塘且人口密度大,水质主要受养殖废水和城镇生活污水的影响。研究认为,控制外源污染和恢复沉水植被是防治洪泽湖富营养化的有效途径     

Urinary levels of bisphenol A,triclosan and 4-nonylphenol in a general Belgian population

Bisphenol A, triclosan and 4-nonylphenol are among the endocrine disruptors which are widely used in daily products. In this study, we reported total urinary levels of bisphenol A, triclosan and 4-nonylphenol, in order to evaluate the baseline contamination of a general population in Belgium. Bisphenol A and triclosan were detected in respectively 97.7% and 74.6% of the samples examined demonstrating that the general Belgian population is extensively exposed to both chemicals. On the other hand, 4-nonylphenol was not detected in any urine samples analyzed, suggesting either low exposure, inadequate biomarker, or that urine is an inappropriate biological matrix for assessing exposure to nonylphenol commercial mixtures. Geometric mean concentration was determined for bisphenol A at 2.55 μg/l and for triclosan at 2.70 μg/l. No significant difference was observed between levels and gender for both bisphenol A and triclosan. When classified by age, the 20–39 year group showed the highest triclosan levels, while all age groups seemed to be similarly exposed to bisphenol A. Both bisphenol A and triclosan urinary levels were not correlated with creatinine excretion in our healthy population, questioning the relevance of the creatinine adjustment in reporting these chemical levels. Bisphenol A levels in urine of people living in the same home and collected on the same time were fairly correlated, confirming the assumption that dietary intake would be the primary route of exposure. Triclosan urinary levels were not correlated with bisphenol A levels.     

Human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and fertility: A case–control study in male subfertility patients

BackgroundDioxins, PCBs, chlorinated pesticides, brominated flame retardants, bisphenol A, triclosan, perfluorinated compounds and phthalates are known as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to investigate whether higher exposure to EDCs is associated with increased subfertility in men.MethodsWe measured biomarkers of exposure in 163 men, recruited through four fertility clinics. According to WHO guidelines, we used a total motility count (TMC) of 20 million as cut-off value. We assigned patients to the case group when two semen samples – collected at least one week apart – had a TMC < 20 and to the control group when both samples had a TMC ≥ 20. To estimate the risk of subfertility and alteration in sex hormone concentrations we used multivariable-adjusted analysis, using logistic and linear regressions, respectively.ResultsFor an IQR increase in serum oxychlordane, the odds ratio for subfertility was 1.98 (95% CI: 1.07; 3.69). Furthermore, men with serum levels of BDE209 above the quantification limit had an odds of 7.22 (1.03; 50.6) for subfertility compared with those having values below the LOQ. Urinary levels of phthalates and triclosan were negatively associated with inhibin B and positively with LH. Urinary bisphenol A correlated negatively with testosterone levels.ConclusionsOur study in men showed that internal body concentrations of endocrine disrupting chemicals are associated with an increased risk of subfertility together with alterations in hormone levels. The results emphasize the importance to reduce chemicals in the environment in order to safeguard male fertility.     

重庆市空中水资源平衡状况

利用1987～2006年重庆及其周边地区11个探空站的高空资料，分析了重庆地区各边界的水汽通量输送的特征。结果表明：重庆地区年平均整个层次各边界总的净水汽通量是正值，有净水汽流入重庆地区，其中在地面至850 hPa有最大净水汽输出，在700～500 hPa有最大净水汽输入。就季节变化而言，夏季和冬季有净水汽汇聚在重庆，而春季和秋季有净水汽流出重庆地区。重庆地区净水汽输入主要是南边界和西边界，北边界与东边界均是水汽输出边界。重庆地区年平均东边界和北边界水汽流出的减少趋势大于南边界和西边界水汽流入的减少趋势，导致年平均净水汽通量呈增加趋势。另外，春季和冬季净水汽通量呈下降趋势，而夏季和秋季净水汽通量呈上升趋势。〖     

肖四海不同渔业发展阶段的水环境特征分析

2006～2008年，对长江中游的一个浅水湖泊--肖四海进行了水质和水生植被研究，并结合历史资料分析了肖四海1987～2008年不同渔业发展阶段的水环境特征。研究结果表明：1987～2008年期间，该湖营养状况经历了中营养→富营养→中营养→富营养→中营养的变化过程，沉水植被经历了消亡→恢复→旺盛→衰退的演替过程，这种变化主要受不同阶段的渔业方式的影响。草食性鱼类和河蟹的过量放养、化肥的大量使用以及饵料的大量投放等不合理的渔业方式导致了水生植被的消亡和水体的富营养化，而合理的渔业方式不会对水体环境产生消极影响，并据此提出了长江中下游湖泊渔业可持续发展的建议     

Estimating the amount and distribution of radon flux density from the soil surface in China

Based on an idealized model, both the annual and the seasonal radon ((222)Rn) flux densities from the soil surface at 1099 sites in China were estimated by linking a database of soil (226)Ra content and a global ecosystems database. Digital maps of the (222)Rn flux density in China were constructed in a spatial resolution of 25 km x 25 km by interpolation among the estimated data. An area-weighted annual average (222)Rn flux density from the soil surface across China was estimated to be 29.7+/-9.4 mBq m(-2)s(-1). Both regional and seasonal variations in the (222)Rn flux densities are significant in China. Annual average flux densities in the southeastern and northwestern China are generally higher than those in other regions of China, because of high soil (226)Ra content in the southeastern area and high soil aridity in the northwestern one. The seasonal average flux density is generally higher in summer/spring than winter, since relatively higher soil temperature and lower soil water saturation in summer/spring than other seasons are common in China.     

Climate change in Algeria and its impact on durum wheat

According to IPCC reports, the Mediterranean basin and particularly the North African area are amongst the most vulnerable regions to climate change. However, the information concerning the North African zone is very limited, and studies on climate change have never been conducted in Algeria up to now. This paper aims at bridging this information gap and initiates a first research on the impact of climate change on durum wheat cropping, the most strategic commodity in the food system and in the national economy of Algeria. Climate projections for the distant future (2071–2100), obtained from the ARPEGE-Climate model of Météo-France run under the medium A1B SRES scenario, are introduced into a simple agrometeorological crop model previously validated with field data. Two options for the sowing date are assessed: a dynamical date, chosen within the traditional sowing window by means of a rainfall criterion, or a prescribed date with supplemental irrigation on the same day. Crop development is modelled using thermal time, and maximum yield is determined from the accumulation of solar radiation. A water stress index is inferred from a daily water balance model, and actual yield is estimated from potential yield corrected by the water stress index. The model also takes into account the occurrence of dry periods during the growing season, which can induce partial or total failure of the crop cycle. Two stations, representative of two of the three agroclimatic areas where durum wheat is grown, were chosen: Algiers in the central northern region and Bordj Bou Arreridj in the eastern high plains. Climate change is not similar for both areas, but a tendency towards aridity is clear especially in spring. Future temperature and potential evapotranspiration increase in both regions with a maximum in spring and summer. In Algiers, rainfall will decrease throughout the year and mainly in spring and summer. Conversely, summer precipitation in Bordj Bou Arreridj will increase significantly. In both regions, the autumn rains will increase in the future climate, the possibilities of early sowing will be improved, crop cycle will be reduced, and harvest will take place earlier. In Algiers, yields tend to decrease in the future climate, whereas in Bordj Bou Arreridj, a dynamical (earlier) sowing will tend to keep yields at their current level.     

Tracking chemicals in products around the world: introduction of a dynamic substance flow analysis model and application to PCBs

Dynamically tracking flows and stocks of problematic chemicals in products (CiPs) in the global anthroposphere is essential to understanding their environmental fates and risks. The complex behavior of CiPs during production, use and waste disposal makes this a challenging task. Here we introduce and describe a dynamic substance flow model, named Chemicals in Products - Comprehensive Anthropospheric Fate Estimation (CiP-CAFE), which facilitates the quantification of time-variant flows and stocks of CiPs within and between seven interconnected world regions and the generation of global scale emission estimates. We applied CiP-CAFE to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), first to evaluate its ability to reproduce previously reported global-scale atmospheric emission inventories and second to illustrate its potential applications and merits. CiP-CAFE quantifies the pathways of PCBs during production, use and waste disposal stages, thereby deducing the temporal evolution of in-use and waste stocks and identifying their long-term final sinks. Time-variant estimates of PCB emissions into air, water and soil can be attributed to different processes and be fed directly into a global fate and transport model. By capturing the international movement of PCBs as technical chemicals, and in products and waste, CiP-CAFE reveals that the extent of global dispersal caused by humans is larger than that occurring in the natural environment. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the model output is most sensitive to the PCB production volume and the lifetime of PCB-containing products, suggesting that a shortening of that lifetime is key to reducing future PCB emissions.     

长江中游洪湖至宜昌江段鱼类空间分布特征的水声学研究

为了解长江中游洪湖至宜昌江段鱼类时空分布变化,于2014~2015年的秋季、春季和夏季,使用Simrad EY60鱼探仪对该江段的鱼类时空分布特征进行了3次水声学调查。结果表明:鱼探仪探测获得的鱼类回波信号与湖底反射信号的图像均比较清晰,且图像的背景噪声较小,长江干流的鱼类多以个体形式进行活动,探测时未发现鱼群。夏季鱼类目标强度(TS值)最高(–47.2±8.6)d B,春季鱼类TS值最低(–60.0±6.4)d B,非参数检验结果显示,3个季节的鱼类TS值差异极其显著(P0.01);3个季节该江段鱼类资源水平分布不均匀,鱼类最大密度分别为63.7 ind./1 000 m3(秋季)、141.4 ind./1 000 m3(春季)和266 ind./1 000 m3(夏季),且3个季节鱼类水平分布差异极显著(F=151.08,P0.01);垂直水层方向上,3个季节的鱼类密度均表现出相同的分布特征,即表层中层底层,各水层3个季节之间的鱼类密度存在极显著性差异(df=2,P0.01);在方差齐性下,采用LSD方法对3个季节各水层之间鱼类密度进行多重比较,结果显示秋季仅表层与底层之间鱼类密度均存在显著性差异(P0.05);春季表层与中层、中层与底层之间鱼类密度均存在显著性差异(P0.05);夏季表层、中层和底层两两之间鱼类密度均存在显著性差异(P0.05)。该江段鱼类时空分布差异与鱼类的越冬、索饵、产卵等因素有关。     

The effect of suspended particles coated by humic acid on the toxicity of pharmaceuticals, estrogens, and phenolic compounds

The sorption characteristics of 10 organic chemicals, categorized as pharmaceuticals, estrogens and phenols, onto synthetic suspended particle (i.e., alumina) coated with humic acid were investigated according to their octanol-water partition coefficient (K(ow)). Chemical analyses were performed with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effects of particles on the toxicity reduction were evaluated using bioassay tests, using Daphnia magna and Vibrio fisheri for phenols and pharmaceuticals, and the human breast cancer cell MCF-7 for estrogens. Sorption studies revealed that 22 and 38% of octylphenol and pentachlorophenol, respectively, were removed by suspended particle, whereas 2,4-dichlorophenol was not removed, which was directly proportional to the logK(ow) value. Similar to the sorption tests, suspended particles significantly reduced the acute toxicities of octylphenol and pentachlorophenol to D. magna and V. fisheri (p<0.01), but there was no significant difference in the toxicity of 2,4-dichlorophenol to D. magna (p=0.8374). Pharmaceuticals, such as ibuprofen, gemfibrozil and tolfenamic acid, showed no discernible sorption to the suspended particle, with the exception of diclofenac, which revealed 11% sorption. For estrogens, such as estrone, 17beta-estradiol and 17alpha-ethynylestradiol, the results indicated no reduction in the sorption test. This may be attributed to the polar interaction by functional groups in sorption between pharmaceuticals and estrogens and suspended particles. In the bioassays, presence of suspended particles did not significantly modify the toxicity of pharmaceuticals (regardless of their K(ow) values) to D. magna, V. fisheri or E-screen.     

太湖西岸出入湖河口氮磷消减特征

河流水体污染物消减作用是降低其入湖通量的重要方式,为探明太湖河流氮磷污染物消减速率时空变化特征,研究采用自主研发的原位培养装置,开展了太湖西岸出入湖河口总氮绝对消减速率(TNR_绝)、总氮相对消减速率(TNR_相)、总磷绝对消减速率(TPR_绝)、总磷相对消减速率(TPR_相)的变化特征研究。结果表明:西北部和西部河流夏、秋季TNR_绝和TPR_绝高于春、冬季,南部河流则为秋、冬季高于春、夏季。夏季西部和西北部河流TNR_绝和TPR_绝高于南部,冬季则相反,春、秋两季空间差异不明显。颗粒态总氮(PTN)浓度及水温是TNR_绝时空差异性的主要影响因素。TP浓度是TPR_绝的季节差异性的主要原因,不同季节TPR_绝空间差异的主要影响因素不同,春、夏、秋、冬四季主要影响因素分别为p H等水体物理性质、TP浓度和SS浓度、SS浓度、TP浓度。TNR_绝和TPR绝及其初始浓度是TNR_相和TPR_相时空差异的主要原因。     

Tritium concentrations in the atmospheric environment at Rokkasho, Japan before the final testing of the spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plant

This study aimed at obtaining background tritium concentrations in precipitation and air at Rokkasho where the first commercial spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in Japan has been under construction. Tritium concentration in monthly precipitation during fiscal years 2001-2005 had a seasonal variation pattern which was high in spring and low in summer. The tritium concentration was higher than that observed at Chiba City as a whole. The seasonal peak concentration at Rokkasho was generally higher than that at Chiba City, while the baseline concentrations of both were similar. The reason for the difference may be the effect of air mass from the Asian continent which is considered to have high tritium concentration. Atmospheric tritium was operationally separated into HTO, HT and hydrocarbon (CH₃T) fractions, and the samples collected every 3 d-14 d during fiscal year 2005 were analyzed for these fractions. The HTO concentration as radioactivity in water correlated well with that in the precipitation samples. The HT concentration was the highest among the chemical forms analyzed, followed by the HTO and CH₃T concentrations. The HT and CH₃T concentrations did not have clear seasonal variation patterns. The HT concentration followed the decline previously reported by Mason and Östlund with an apparent half-life of 4.8 y. The apparent and environmental half-lives of CH₃T were estimated as 9.2 y and 36.5 y, respectively, by combining the present data with literature data. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change used the atmospheric lifetime of 12 y for CH₄ to estimate global warming in its 2007 report. The longer environmental half-life of CH₃T suggested its supply from other sources than past nuclear weapon testing in the atmosphere.