Genotoxicological effects of some phenoxyherbicides and their metabolites on Bacillus subtilis M45 Rec- and H17 Rec+ strains

Because they are used in a number of commercial preparations phenoxyacetic acids and their salts can occur in wastewater. During their degradation genotoxic substances may be created. The results of investigations of biodegradability and genotoxicity of some phenoxyherbicides are presented. Commercial formulations of 2,4-D (Aminopielik 720) and MCPA (Chwastox Extra) were the substrates studied. Biodegradation tests were conducted according to OECD guidelines for testing of chemicals--confirmatory test (OECD Method 303 A). Genotoxicity tests were conducted with Bacillus subtilis strains according to the method of [Chemical Mutagens, vol. 6, Plenum Press. New York, 1980, p. 149]. Genotoxicity of biodegradation products was also studied. Both commercial formulations were biodegradable. Aminopielik 720 was potentially genotoxic but only at great concentrations while Chwastox Extra was not genotoxic. Biodegradation products of neither compound were genotoxic.     

Comparative studies of health hazard from radon (Rn-222) in two selected lithologic formations in the Suwałki region (in Poland)

The aim of this work was to make a comparison of indoor radon concentrations in dwellings and in soil air in the area of two geological formations in the Suwa?ki region (Poland). The mean arithmetic airborne concentration was found to be the highest (301 Bq m (-3)) in the basements of buildings in the gravel and sand areas, whereas in the boulder clay areas it reached 587 Bq m (-3). Out of 54 measurements of radon concentrations performed at the ground floor, in eight cases concentrations were found to exceed 200 Bq m (-3) - permissible radon level in new-built houses in Poland and in three cases these values were even higher than 400 Bq m (-3). The highest radon levels were noted in houses with earthen basement floors and with direct entrance from the basement to rooms or kitchens. The mean arithmetic radon concentration in the soil air in the sandy and gravel formations was 39.7 kBq m (-3) and in clay formation it was 26.5 kBq m (-3). Higher radon levels were also found in the water obtained from household wells reaching 8367 Bq m (-3) as compared with tap water (2690 Bqm (-3)). The mean indoor concentration for the whole area under study was found to be 169.4 Bq m (-3), which is higher than the mean value for Poland (49.1 Bq m (-3)) by a factor of 3.5.     

New international long-term ecological research on air pollution effects on the Carpathian Mountain forests,Central Europe

An international cooperative project on distribution of ozone in the Carpathian Mountains, Central Europe was conducted from 1997 to 1999. Results of that project indicated that in large parts of the Carpathian Mountains, concentrations of ozone were elevated and potentially phytotoxic to forest vegetation. That study led to the establishment of new long-term studies on ecological changes in forests and other ecosystems caused by air pollution in the Retezat Mountains, Southern Carpathians, Romania and in the Tatra Mountains, Western Carpathians on the Polish-Slovak border. Both of these important mountain ranges have the status of national parks and are Man & the Biosphere Reserves. In the Retezat Mountains, the primary research objective was to evaluate how air pollution may affect forest health and biodiversity. The main research objective in the Tatra Mountains was to evaluate responses of natural and managed Norway spruce forests to air pollution and other stresses. Ambient concentrations of ozone (O(3)), sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) as well as forest health and biodiversity changes were monitored on densely distributed research sites. Initial monitoring of pollutants indicated low levels of O(3), SO(2), and NO(x) in the Retezat Mountains, while elevated levels of O(3) and high deposition of atmospheric sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) have characterized the Tatra Mountains. In the Retezat Mountains, air pollution seems to have little effect on forest health; however, there was concern that over a long time, even low levels of pollution may affect biodiversity of this important ecosystem. In contrast, severe decline of Norway spruce has been observed in the Tatra Mountains. Although bark beetle seems to be the immediate cause of that decline, long-term elevated levels of atmospheric N and S depositions and elevated O(3) could predispose trees to insect attacks and other stresses. European and US scientists studied pollution deposition, soil and plant chemistry, O(3)-sensitive plant species, forest insects, and genetic changes in the Retezat and Tatra Mountains. Results of these investigations are presented in a GIS format to allow for a better understanding of the changes and the recommendations for effective management in these two areas.     

Hepatotoxicity of monobromobenzene and hexabromobenzene: effects of repeated dosage in rats

The aim of the study was to determine whether monobromobenzene (BB) and hexabromobenzene (HBB) administered repeatedly (for 28 days) to female rats resulted in disturbances of heme synthesis. 5-Aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALA-D) and 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALA-S) activities were slightly changed and the concentration of glutathione increased. The excretion of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA-U) in urine after all doses of BB and HBB increased already in the first week. After BB administration, increased excretion of coproporphyrins was detected only at the highest dose. The increased excretion of coproporphyrins following the administration of HBB could be observed already at the lowest dose (15 mg/kg). The excretion of uroporphyrins increased after two higher doses (75 and 375 mg/kg) in the fourth week of exposure. HBB also caused elevation of microsomal P450 level. The data suggest porphyrogenic activity of HBB; whereas in the case of BB we cannot exclude that elevated excretion of ALA-U resulted from kidney impairment.     

Exposure to specific polychlorinated biphenyls and some chlorinated pesticides via breast milk in Poland

The aim of our study was to obtain the data on the exposure of breast-fed infants to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and selected organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the Wielkopolska province (Poland). The levels of indicator PCBs, and selected OCPs, including two DDT metabolites (HCB, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE and alpha,beta,gamma-HCH) were determined in 27 human milk samples, collected in 2000-2001, according to WHO protocol. Estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of all analytes were calculated. Our results were compared with those obtained by an analysis of human milk samples from other European and non-European countries, collected in the same period time. We have stated that median exposure of Wielkopolska first breast-fed infants to OCPs is comparable (EDI(HCB) = 0.086 microg/kgbw/day; EDI(beta-HCH)=0.063 microg/kgbw/day) or higher (EDI(p,p'-DDE) = 3.495 microg/kgbw/day) than in other European countries, while exposure to PCBs (EDI(Sigma7PCB) = 0.364 microg/kgbw/day) is situated at the low end of the intake of these xenobiotics by breast-fed infants from different regions of Europe.     

Ecotoxicity evaluation of selected sulfonamides

Sulfonamides (SAs) are a group of antibiotic drugs widely used in veterinary medicine. The contamination of the environment by these pharmaceuticals has raised concern in recent years. However, knowledge of their (eco)toxicity is still very basic and is restricted to just a few of these substances. Even though their toxicological analysis has been thoroughly performed and ecotoxicological data are available in the literature, a systematic analysis of their ecotoxicological potential has yet to be carried out. To fill this gap, 12 different SAs were chosen for detailed analysis with the focus on different bacteria as well as non-target organisms (algae and plants). A flexible (eco)toxicological test battery was used, including enzymes (acetylcholinesterase and glutathione reductase), luminescent marine bacteria (Vibrio fischeri), soil bacteria (Arthrobacter globiformis), limnic unicellular green algae (Scenedesmus vacuolatus) and duckweed (Lemna minor), in order to take into account both the aquatic and terrestrial compartments of the environment, as well as different trophic levels. It was found that SAs are not only toxic towards green algae (EC₅₀ = 1.54-32.25 mg L⁻¹) but have even stronger adverse effect on duckweed (EC₅₀ = 0.02-4.89 mg L⁻¹) than atrazine - herbicide (EC₅₀ = 2.59 mg L⁻¹).     

Optimisation of pressurised liquid extraction for elimination of sulphur interferences during determination of organotin compounds in sulphur-rich sediments by gas chromatography with flame photometric detection

A simple method for species-selective analysis of organotin compounds (OTCs) (butyl and phenyl) in sediments was developed. The sample preparation procedure was specifically optimised for sulphur-rich sediments to eliminate interferences from elemental sulphur and organosulphur compounds. Tin species were extracted from sediment samples using pressurised liquid extraction technique (PLE), ethylated - with simultaneous extraction to isooctane - in aqueous phase with sodium tetraethylborate (NaBEt(4)) and separated/detected by gas chromatography with flame photometric detection (GC-FPD). PLE operational variables (extraction temperature and pressure, solvent composition and number of static extraction steps) and extract handling routine were fine-tuned to minimise the amount of extracted interferents while keeping OTCs recovery at an acceptable level. Best results were obtained after extraction of sediment samples with methanol/water (75% v/v methanol) solution of acetic acid/sodium acetate with tropolone addition (0.6 g l(-1)). Derivatisation of low temperature, high-pressure (50 degrees C, 13.8 MPa) extracts gives isooctane extracts which are clean enough to be directly analysed by GC-FPD without any further cleanup. Interferences from elemental sulphur were completely eliminated while concentrations of other interferents were reduced to the level not impairing quantitation of OTCs under the study. No negative effects in terms of chromatographic column deterioration were observed after repeated injections of such extracts. Two certified reference materials, BCR646 and PACS-2, were analysed to assess performance of the method. Recoveries of all OTCs under the study, except MBT, were in the range of 91-114%. MBT extraction efficiency was low (34-47%) therefore the method is unsuitable for precise determinations of this compound.     

Adaptation Scenarios of Agriculture in Poland to Future Climate Changes

This paper demonstrates the ability of Polish agriculture to adapt to predicted climate change according to GISS and GFDL scenarios. Both climate-change scenarios will significantly affect farming conditions in Poland through water deficit, shifts in planting and harvesting seasons, changes in crop yields and crop structure. Neither scenario seems to endanger the self-sufficiency of Poland as long as preventative measures are taken. Moreover, the realization of GISS creates the possibility of a surplus in production. It must be emphasized that regardless of the scenario, the adaptation of agriculture to an expected climate change cannot be handled by the farming community itself.