Decontamination trends in the aquacultured fish gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) after feeding long-term a PCDD/F spiked feed

Aquacultured fish gilthead seabream (Sparusaurata), previously exposed to low levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) trough the diet for a 13 months period, were fed on a clean feed for another 22 months. Gilthead seabream is a protandrous hermaphrodite species and this “decontamination” period coincided with the stages of sex differentiation, maturity and reproduction of the fish. PCDD/F levels in the fish tissues (i.e. muscle, liver, perivisceral fat and gonads), expressed in pg WHO-TEQ g⁻¹ fresh weight, showed a general decreasing trend during the “decontamination” period. However, this general trend varied among tissues and was also dependent on sex and lipid contents. Toxicological effects affecting fish behaviour and hepatic marker responses were also evaluated. The results pointed out that exposure to PCDD/Fs did not have an impact on fish development and reproduction, since the proportion of sexes found after the sex reversal process was within the normal range described for this species. In addition, long-term exposure to low PCDD/F levels did not significantly affect the response of most of the biochemical markers considered. On the contrary, some of them (e.g. EROD activity) showed variations in their responses during the sex differentiation process and onwards. Finally, the hepatic AhR mRNA levels increased during dioxin exposure but they returned to values typical for non-exposed fish after the “decontamination” period.     

Altitudinal distributions of BDE-209 and other polybromodiphenyl ethers in high mountain lakes

The present study shows the occurrence of 2,2′,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′,6,6′-decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) in microbial biofilms of Pyrenean and Tatra high mountain lakes despite its low vapor pressure and high hydrophobicity. Aerosol air transport is therefore a feasible mechanism for BDE-209 accumulation in sites up to 2688 m above sea level. This compound and other PBDEs exhibit altitudinally-dependent distribution involving higher concentrations with increasing mountain lake elevation. However, the apparently very high enthalpies of the concentration gradients observed, including BDE-209, suggest that bacterial anaerobic debromination also plays a significant role in the resulting altitudinal distributions. This microbial mechanism explains the relative abundances of PBDEs and their within lake differences between rocky and sediment microbial biofilms, thereby showing that the altitudinal pattern observed is not purely due to water temperature control on bacterial activity but also to changes in the availability of anaerobic microenvironments which increase with increasing lake productivity at lower altitudes.     

Differential accumulation of mercury and other trace metals in the food web components of a reservoir impacted by a chlor-alkali plant (Flix, Ebro River, Spain): Implications for biomonitoring

Comparative studies of biomonitors of trace metal contamination are relatively scarce. We took advantage of a point source pollution in a reservoir (Flix, Spain) to compare trace metal (Hg, Pb, Cd, Se, As, Zn, Cu, Cr) bioaccumulation patterns among 16 food web components. Our results indicate that most organisms are suitable for Hg biomonitoring, whereas other metals are better monitored by only some of them. Biofilms and zebra mussel were the organisms with larger and more diverse biomonitoring capacity. However, we show that using groups of biomonitors increase the scope and strengths of the conclusions and specific goals can be better addressed. We conclude providing an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the main organisms considered for biomonitoring trace metals in rivers and reservoirs.     

Population characteristics of young African women influencing prenatal exposure to DDT (Manhiça, Mozambique)

The concentrations of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) compounds in cord blood of 214 children born between 2003 and 2006 in Manhiça (Mozambique) have been determined. In this time interval, corresponding to the period before DDT reintroduction for indoor residual spraying, the observed values averaged 0.8 and 0.4 ng/ml for 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (4,4′-DDE) and 4,4′-DDT, respectively, and were similar to those found in western countries. However, the 4,4′-DDT/4,4′-DDE ratio was high indicating that the inputs of these compounds arriving to children in utero originated from recent uses of the insecticide. The strongest factor affecting DDT concentration was parity. A well-defined decreasing concentration trend was observed for the cord blood concentrations in the period of study. The trend was also observed for multiparae and primiparae mothers independently. Children from multiparae women showed much lower concentrations than primiparae women. Children from mothers with secondary school level exhibited lower concentrations of these pesticides than mothers with lower degree of education.     

Microbial and physicochemical parameters associated with Legionella contamination in hot water recirculation systems

Hot water recirculation systems (HWRS) in hotels and nursing homes, which are common in countries such as Spain, have been related to outbreaks of legionellosis. To establish the relationships of microbial and physicochemical parameters, especially protozoa, with the occurrence of Legionella in HWRS, 231 samples from hotels and nursing homes were analysed for Legionella, protozoa, heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) at 22 and 37 °C, Pseudomonas, metals, temperature and others. Legionella pneumophila was the dominant species isolated, and 22 % were sg. 1. The sampling method became particularly important in order to define which factors were involved on the occurrence of Legionella. Results showed that the bacteria and the accompanying microbiota were more abundant in the first flush water whose temperature was lower. The bacteria occurred in those samples with high HPC and were inversely correlated with high temperatures. Multivariate regression showed that a concentration above 1?×?10⁵?CFU/100 mL of HPC at 37 °C, Fe above 0.095 ppm and the presence of protozoa increased significantly the risk of Legionella colonization, while univariant regression showed that the presence of Cu above 0.76 ppm and temperature above 55 °C diminished it. Therefore, to reduce the risk associated with Legionella occurrence in HWRS these parameters should be taken into consideration.     

Sources and Concentrations of Indoor Nitrogen Dioxide in Barcelona,Spain

Abstract

Sources and concentrations of indoor nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) were examined in Barcelona, Spain, during 1996– 1999. A total of 340 dwellings of infants participating in a hospital-based cohort study were selected from different areas of the city. Passive filter badges were used for indoor NO₂ measurement over 7–30 days. Dwelling inhabitants completed a questionnaire on housing characteristics and smoking habits. Data on outdoor NO₂ concentrations were available for the entire period of the study in the areas of the city where indoor concentrations were determined. Bivariate analysis was performed to investigate relationships between indoor NO₂ concentrations on one hand and outdoor NO₂ concentrations, housing, and occupant characteristics on the other. Stepwise multiple linear regression was performed with variables that were 1996 and 27.02 ppb in 1999, with the highest yearly value of 27.82 ppb in 1997. In the same time period, mean outdoor NO₂ concentration ranged between 25.26 and 25.78 ppb with a peak of 30.5 ppb in 1998. Multiple regression analysis showed that principal sources of indoor NO₂ concentrations were the use of a gas cooker, the absence of an extractor fan when cooking, and cigarette smoking. The absence of central heating was also associated with higher NO₂ concentrations. Finally, each ppb increase in outdoor NO₂ was associated with a 1% increase in indoor concentrations.     

Global fate of POPs: current and future research directions

For legacy and emerging persistent organic pollutants (POPs), surprisingly little is still known in quantitative terms about their global sources and emissions. Atmospheric transport has been identified as the key global dispersal mechanism for most legacy POPs. In contrast, transport by ocean currents may prove to be the main transport route for many polar, emerging POPs. This is linked to the POPs' intrinsic physico-chemical properties, as exemplified by the different fate of hexachlorocyclohexanes in the Arctic. Similarly, our current understanding of POPs' global transport and fate remains sketchy. The importance of organic carbon and global temperature differences have been accepted as key drivers of POPs' global distribution. However, future research will need to understand the various biogeochemical and geophysical cycles under anthropogenic pressures to be able to understand and predict the global fate of POPs accurately.     

In utero and post-natal accumulation of organochlorine compounds in children under different environmental conditions

A study of intake of organochlorine compounds (OCs) in children both in utero and at the age of four years has been performed in two cohorts. One encompasses children born in Menorca Island between 1997 and 1998, and the other those born between 1997-1999 in Ribera d'Ebre, an in-land industrial-agricultural area of Catalonia. Comparison of the OC concentrations in serum samples from both populations, including those obtained from cord blood and blood collected at four years, provides information on the influence of local pollution sources in the accumulation of these compounds. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) have been found for hexachlorobenzene, indicating that chronic airborne contamination to this compound in Ribera d'Ebre involved higher in utero exposure, which increased in the first four years of growth. Similarly, in the cohort of Menorca, higher in utero exposure to PCBs was observed and this increased subsequently in the first four years of growth. Other compounds encompassing temporal contamination episodes such as gamma-HCH involved higher in utero exposure but strongly diminished in the first four years of growth. Overall, it can be concluded that local chronic pollution by OCs has a direct effect in children living in the surrounding areas. This influence is reflected in higher exposure, both in utero and in the first years of growth, that significantly stands out over the background contamination due to the ubiquity of these compounds.     

Monitoring of (bio)available labile metal fraction in a drinking water treatment plant by diffusive gradients in thin films

A performance study of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was applied for the monitoring of the labile fraction of metals Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, in Sant Joan Despí Drinking Water Treatment Plant located in the South of Barcelona’s Metropolitan Area (Spain). The DWTP monitoring protocol was optimized by working for 1 day of deployment (24 h) with the DGT device in contact with both treated and river water matrixes. Additionally, it was demonstrated that an increase in the deployment time of 1 week did not decrease the evaluated concentrations of the studied metals. The quality parameters of the DGT device and ICP-OES determination, such as limit of quantification, accuracy expressed as relative error (%) and reproducibility expressed as relative standard deviation, were evaluated. Good results were obtained for all the metals in ultrapure water; limits of quantification ranged from 1.5 μg L^− 1 for cadmium to 28 μg L^− 1 for zinc when deployment time of 24 h was used and from 0.2 μg L^− 1 for cadmium to 4 μg L^− 1 for zinc when this time was increased by 1 week. Accuracy and precisions lower than or equal to 10% were obtained at a parametric concentration value of the metals regulated in the European Drinking Water Guidelines (98/83/EC). DGT deployment was tested in river and treated water, and good results were obtained for Cd, Ni, Co and Zn, whereas for the other metals, a continuous control of their metallic labile fractions was monitored. Therefore, DGT device allows the continuous monitoring of the labile metal species in a drinking water treatment plant.     

Avian phenotypic traits related to feeding preferences in two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Culex</Emphasis> mosquitoes

Host choice by mosquitoes affects the transmission dynamics of vector-borne infectious diseases. Although asymmetries in mosquito attraction to vertebrate species have been reported, the relative importance of host characteristics in mosquito blood-feeding behavior is still poorly studied. Here, we investigate the relationship between avian phenotypic traits—in particular, morphometry, plumage coloration, and nesting and roosting behavior—and the blood-feeding patterns in two common Culex mosquito species on a North American avian community. Forage ratios of the mosquito species were unrelated to the phylogenetic relationships among bird species. Culex pipiens fed preferably on birds with lighter-colored plumage and longer tarsi; furthermore, solitary roosting avian species were both bitten by Cx. pipiens and Cx. restuans more often than expected. These associations may be explained by greater mosquito attraction towards larger birds with a greater color contrast against the background. Although communally roosting birds may release more cues and attract more mosquitoes, individuals may in fact receive fewer bites due to the encounter-dilution effect. Mosquito feeding behavior is a highly complex phenomenon, and our results may improve understanding of the non-random interaction between birds and mosquitoes in natural communities.