Neglected sources of pharmaceuticals in river water--footprints of a Reggae festival

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are commonly considered as the main source of pharmaceuticals in surface waters. Here, however, we show that an open-air festival, attracting approximately 10,000 visitors per year at the shores of River Fyris upstream of Uppsala WWTP, can temporarily result in a higher pharmaceutical input into the river water than the WWTP. Studying the influence of Uppsala Reggae festival on the occurrence of ten commonly used acidic and basic pharmaceuticals upstream, in the effluent, and downstream of the Uppsala WWTP, we found that occasional heavy rainfalls during the festival in 2008 severely increased the mass flows of all pharmaceuticals at the WWTP upstream site. Also, strong increases in ammonium (210-fold), nitrate (21-fold), and total nitrogen (21-fold) mass flows were observed. The pharmaceutical mass flows at the upstream site were up to 3.4 times higher than those observed in the WWTP effluent. In contrast, in 2009, the festival was not accompanied with rainfalls and no major additional input of pharmaceuticals and nitrogen was observed. The findings of this study give new insights into risk assessments and are relevant for monitoring programmes.     

Synthesis of substituted diphenylamines and carbazoles: phototransformation products of diclofenac

The formation of stable and potentially hazardous compounds as a result of photochemical transformation of pharmaceutical substances in the aquatic environment implies a demand for standard compounds within environmental analysis. The major phototransformation products of diclofenac are comprised of substituted diphenylamines and carbazoles. Substituted diphenylamines were synthesized by Ullmann condensation reactions between anilines and halobenzenes. Monochlorocarbazoles were obtained from palladium-catalyzed intramolecular coupling reactions of monochlorinated diphenylamines, photocyclization of dichlorinated diphenylamines or by direct chlorination of carbazole. The availability of synthetic photoproducts of diclofenac is of critical importance for further studies on the environmental fate as well as the ecotoxicological effects of the drug in the environment.     

Exploring possibly increasing trend of hurricane activity by a SiZer approach

Statistical studies of hurricane activity in the North Atlantic basin are of current interest, not the least after the year of 2005 when many records were broken. An exploratory analysis of possibly increasing trend of the yearly number of hurricanes can be carried out by employing a graphic device, the SiZer map. Use of this method provides a useful complement to other statistical techniques for detection of trends or shifts in time series.     

The intercoder agreement when using the Driving Reliability and Error Analysis Method in road traffic accident investigations

Many different classification schemes have been used in the analysis of road traffic accidents but the agreement between coders using the same classification scheme is rarely tested and/or reported. As a high intercoder agreement is a prerequisite for a study’s validity, this is a serious shortcoming. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to test the intercoder agreement of the Driving Reliability and Error Analysis Method (DREAM) version 3.0 by letting seven coders from different European countries analyse and classify the causes of the same four accident scenarios. The results showed that the intercoder agreement for genotypes (contributing factors) ranges from 74% to 94% with an average of 83%, while for phenotypes (observable effects) it ranges from 57% to 100% with an average of 78%. The results also showed that weaknesses in classification schemes, methods, training of coders as well as in presentation of accident information can be identified by testing the intercoder agreement.     

Identification of acetylcholinesterase and cholinesterase in amniotic fluid by immune absorption technique

A method for immunological detection of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and cholinesterase (ChE) in amniotic fluid is described. By addition of a small amount of antihuman-erythrocyte membrane antibody or anti-pseudocholinesterase antibody to the sample before electrophoresis the two esterase bands on polyacrylamide gel (PAG) can be absorbed away. Similar staining results can also be obtained by specific inhibition of the two esterases with either BW 284C51 (AChE inhibitor) or Lysivane (ChE inhibitor). In cases with a faint AChE band and in cases with blood contamination the immune absorption technique makes interpretation easier. Nearly identical staining results have been obtained by the immune absorption technique and the inhibition technique in the following samples with an AChE band: 34 samples from pregnancies with severe fetal malformation or intrauterine death (2 cases), 4 fetal serum samples, 4 samples of cerebrospinal fluid, 4 samples of fetal erythrolysate and 4 samples of adult erythrolysate. It can be concluded that an antibody prepared against erythrocyte AChE cross-reacts with AChE in cerebrospinal fluid, and that this antibody can be used for demonstration of AChE in amniotic fluid.     

Implementation of the first adaptive management plan for a European migratory waterbird population: The case of the Svalbard pink-footed goose <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anser brachyrhynchus</Emphasis>

An International Species Management Plan for the Svalbard population of the pink-footed goose was adopted under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds in 2012, the first case of adaptive management of a migratory waterbird population in Europe. An international working group (including statutory agencies, NGO representatives and experts) agreed on objectives and actions to maintain the population in favourable conservation status, while accounting for biodiversity, economic and recreational interests. Agreements include setting a population target to reduce agricultural conflicts and avoid tundra degradation, and using hunting in some range states to maintain stable population size. As part of the adaptive management procedures, adjustment to harvest is made annually subject to population status. This has required streamlining of monitoring and assessment activities. Three years after implementation, indicators suggest the attainment of management results. Dialogue, consensus-building and engagement among stakeholders represent the major process achievements.     

Assessment of Long-Term Radiological Effects on Plants and Animals from a Deep Geological Repository: No Discernible Impact Detected

This study investigates whether non-human biota are protected against harmful effects of ionizing radiation after a possible future release of radioactive matter from a planned repository for spent nuclear fuel. Radiation dose rates to a broad spectrum of organisms were calculated based on data from sampled organisms and modeled activity concentrations. Calculations were performed with the ERICA Tool, a software program which applies a screening dose-rate value of 10 microgray per hour (μGy h^?1) for all types of organisms. Dose rates below this value are thought to result in minimal risk to the individual or population. All calculated dose rates were below the screening value and below the lowest relevant band of “derived consideration levels” proposed by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. This provides a sound basis for arguing that no individuals or populations of examined species would be harmfully affected by a possible radioactive release from the repository.     

The history of seabird colonies and the North Water ecosystem: Contributions from palaeoecological and archaeological evidence

The North Water (NOW) polynya is one of the most productive marine areas of the Arctic and an important breeding area for millions of seabirds. There is, however, little information on the dynamics of the polynya or the bird populations over the long term. Here, we used sediment archives from a lake and peat deposits along the Greenland coast of the NOW polynya to track long-term patterns in the dynamics of the seabird populations. Radiocarbon dates show that the thick-billed murre (Uria lomvia) and the common eider (Somateria mollissima) have been present for at least 5500 cal. years. The first recorded arrival of the little auk (Alle alle) was around 4400 cal. years bp at Annikitsoq, with arrival at Qeqertaq (Salve Ø) colony dated to 3600 cal. years bp. Concentrations of cadmium and phosphorus (both abundant in little auk guano) in the lake and peat cores suggest that there was a period of large variation in bird numbers between 2500 and 1500 cal. years bp. The little auk arrival times show a strong accord with past periods of colder climate and with some aspects of human settlement in the area.