Environmental Surveillance of Enteroviruses in Central Argentina: First Detection and Evolutionary Analyses of E14

Environmental surveillance is an effective approach to investigate the circulation of human enteroviruses in the population. Enteroviruses E14, CVA9, E-6, E16, E20, E25, E13, and CVA24 were detected in sewage and a watercourse in central Argentina. E14 was the most frequent serotype and was found for the first time in environmental samples in our region. Phylogenetic and coalescence analyses showed at least two recent introduction events.     

Fenton (H2O2/Fe) reaction involved in Penicillium sp. culture for DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane)] degradation

The purpose of this work was to demonstrate that a Fenton (H₂O₂/Fe) reaction was involved in DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane)] degradation in a culture of Penicillium sp. spiked with FeSO₄. A commercial DDT mixture (10% DDE [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene], 30% o,p-DDT and 60% of p,p′ -DDT) of 10 mg L^{? 1} was used. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), tartaric acid and oxalic acid were identified at 18 h in culture media, with and without added DDT; this correlated positively with lowering of pH from 5.8 to 2.7. Lower concentrations of oxalic acid and H₂O₂ (7.9 and 52.6 mg L^{? 1}, respectively) occurred in media with DDT at 30 h, in comparison to that one without DDT mixture (27.9 and 65.3 mg L^{? 1}, respectively), at this time there was maximum degradation (87.7, 91.7 and 94.2%) for DDE, o,p-DDT and p,p′-DDT, respectively. We propose that the degradation of the DDT mixture by Penicillium sp. was through a Fenton reaction (H₂O₂/Fe) under acidic conditions produced in situ during the fungal culture amended with FeSO₄.     

Histopathological changes in the earthworm Eisenia andrei associated with the exposure to metals and radionuclides

Earthworms were exposed for 56 d to a contaminated soil, from an abandoned uranium mine, and to the natural reference soil LUFA 2.2. Histological changes in earthworm’s body wall (epidermis, circular and longitudinal muscles) and gastrointestinal tract (chloragogenous tissue and intestinal epithelium) were assessed, after 0, 14 and 56 d of exposure. Results have shown alterations in all the studied tissues after 14 d of exposure (except for the intestinal epithelium), yet more severe effects were registered after 56 d of exposure. Herein we report histopathological alterations as a good biomarker for the evaluation of soil quality. We also demonstrate that morphological changes in the body wall and gastrointestinal tract, are important endpoints that could be added to earthworm’s standardized tests, for the evaluation of soil toxicity, as part of the risk assessment of contaminated areas.     

Effect of an organic amendment on availability and bio-accessibility of some metals in soils of urban recreational areas

A composted biosolid from wastewater treatment was added to soils of two public parks of Sevilla, and successive samples were taken during one year. In one of the parks, a second addition of biosolid was carried out after the first year. The soil contents in metals (pseudo-total) and their plant-available and oral bio-accessible fractions were significantly altered when the soils were amended with biosolid. Increase of the bio-accessible metal contents represents a deterioration of the environmental quality of recreational areas, where hand-to-mouth transfer of pollutants to children is likely to occur, although part of the metals added might be leached by rainfall or irrigation. The limits established in several countries for metal contents of soils in recreational areas are often exceeded after application of the biosolid. A careful study of the metal contents of recycled wastes is thus recommended before being used for green area maintenance.     

Contamination and bioaccumulation of benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers in fish from Manila Bay, the Philippines using an ultra-fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is grafted on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by using N₂ plasma technique. The MMA grafted MWCNTs (MWCNT-g-pMMA) are characterized by using Raman spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis-differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA), and potentiometric acid-base titration method. The application of MWCNT-g-pMMA in the removal of 4,4′-dichlorinated biphenyl (4,4′-DCB) from large volumes of aqueous solutions is investigated under ambient conditions. The results indicate that the adsorption of 4,4′-DCB on MWCNT-g-pMMA is much higher than that of 4,4′-DCB on MWCNTs, and the adsorbed 4,4′-DCB is difficult to be thermally decomposed from MWCNT-g-pMMA according to the TGA-DTA analysis. MWCNT-g-pMMA are suitable materials in the preconcentration and immobilization of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from large volumes of aqueous solutions in environmental pollution cleanup.     

Use of sugarcane filter cake and nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium fertilization in the process of bioremediation of soil contaminated with diesel

This study evaluated the use of sugarcane filter cake and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilization in the bioremediation of a soil contaminated with diesel fuel using a completely randomized design. Five treatments (uncontaminated soil, T1; soil contaminated with diesel, T2; soil contaminated with diesel and treated with 15 % (wt) filter cake, T3; soil contaminated with diesel and treated with NPK fertilizer, T4; and soil contaminated with diesel and treated with 15 % (wt) filter cake and NPK fertilizer, T5) and four evaluation periods (1, 60, 120, and 180 days after the beginning of the experiment) were used according to a 4?×?5 factorial design to analyze CO₂ release. The variables total organic carbon (TOC) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) remaining in the soil were analyzed using a 5?×?2 factorial design, with the same treatments described above and two evaluation periods (1 and 180 days after the beginning of the experiment). In T3 and T5, CO₂ release was significantly higher, compared with the other treatments. Significant TPH removal was observed on day 180, when percent removal values were 61.9, 70.1, 68.2, and 75.9 in treatments T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively, compared with the initial value (T1).     

Dignity and the right of internally displaced adolescents in Colombia to sexual and reproductive health

In Colombia, national policies and laws on the protection of vulnerable populations pay specific attention to the sexual and reproductive health needs and rights of internally displaced adolescents. This paper describes how a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-supported programme (September 2000-August 2004) on the sexual and reproductive health of internally displaced adolescents contributed to restoring their dignity as a precursor to promoting their sexual and reproductive health rights. Different forms of the arts were used as basic techniques to discover their body and to provide sexual and reproductive health information and education. The arts were found to play a key role in restoring their dignity. Although dignity appeared to be a determinant of greater awareness of rights, it did not lead to increased empowerment with regard to rights. The availability of and access to sexual and reproductive health services remains a problem and displaced populations continue to have little or no power to hold their authorities accountable.     

Energy resource reallocation in Daphnia schodleri (Anomopoda: Daphniidae) reproduction induced by exposure to hexavalent chromium

Cladocerans are able to store energy in the form of macromolecules such as proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. However, their ability to do so depends to a large extent on their physiological and reproductive condition as well as their age. These macromolecules constitute the total caloric reserves of the body and may be modified as a result of environmental stress conditions by either physical or nutritional factors or by exposure to toxic compounds. Neonates of the freshwater cladoceran Daphnia schodleri were exposed to 0.0064, 0.032 and 0.064 mg L⁻¹ of hexavalent chromium - Cr(VI) - up to age 5, 7, 14, 21 or 28 d. Survival and fecundity of parthenogenetic females was evaluated for 28 d (maximum exposure period). Body length and maximum width were determined in specimens of all ages. Caloric content was evaluated in progeny and females within each age group. Female survival was significantly lower with exposure to 0.064 mg L⁻¹ of Cr(VI) than with other treatments, and negative effects on reproduction were observed from the lowest concentration on. Largest adult size was attained by control specimens towards the end of the observation period, but no significant differences in neonate size occurred between concentrations. Energy content decreased in adults as toxicant concentration increased, but these females allocated a larger amount of energy reserves to their progeny as a possible compensation aimed at ensuring neonate survival in an adverse environment due to toxicant presence. Sublethal concentrations of Cr(VI) modified energy content in D. schodleri, affecting to varying degrees its survival, growth and reproduction.     

Surface ozone comparison conducted in two rural areas in central-southern Spain

Purpose  

The purpose of this work is to contribute to the understanding of the photochemical air pollution analysing the levels and temporal variations of surface ozone in two rural areas situated in central-southern Spain.