Chemical, biological, and ecotoxicological assessment of pesticides and persistent organic pollutants in the Bahlui River, Romania

Background, aim, and scope  

Current knowledge on environmental impacts of industrial activities in Romania, particularly persistent organic pollutants (POPs), indicates that environmental standards of the European Union are not systematically met. In our study area, additional sources of POPs are agriculture and domestic wastes. Very scarce information is available upon environmental contaminations and effects. In the present study, we investigated the chemical pollution and their eventual impact on the ecosystem by measuring POPs and by using biological indicators of pollution.     

耐低温贫营养好氧反硝化菌群脱氮特性及安全性

针对微污染水体强化原位生物脱氮技术同时面临低温、贫营养及好氧问题,对实验室已分离筛选的贫营养好氧反硝化菌和耐低温好氧反硝化菌进行菌源重组,构建出高效耐低温贫营养好氧脱氮功能菌群T1(Y3+F3+H8)和T2(Y3+F4)。研究不同投菌量条件下菌群的脱氮特性,结果表明,投菌量对T1脱氮效果有一定影响,0.1、0.2和1.0 mg/L投量对NO3--N去除率为71%、91%和100%,总氮去除率为56%、34%和52%;T2菌群,当投量为0.2 mg/L时,对NO3--N、总氮去除率最大可达66%和59.48%。对菌群T1、T2进行生物安全性分析,采用次氯酸钠进行消毒,其生物灭活率均达到99.9%以上。     

Earthworm ecotoxicological assessments of pesticides used to treat seeds under tropical conditions

Ecotoxicological laboratory tests (lower-tier tests) are fundamental tools for assessing the toxicity of pesticides to soil organisms. In this study, using these tests under tropical conditions, we quantified the impact of the insecticides imidacloprid, fipronil, and thiametoxam, and the fungicides captan and carboxin + thiram, all of which are used in the chemical treatment of crop seeds, on the survival, reproduction, and behavior of Eisenia andrei (Oligochaeta). With the exception of imidacloprid, none of the pesticides tested caused mortality in E. andrei in artificial soils. The LC₅₀ of imidacloprid was estimated as 25.53 mg active ingredient kg^?1 of dry soil. Earthworm reproduction rates were reduced by imidacloprid (EC₅₀ = 4.07 mg kg^?1), fipronil (EC₂₀ = 23.16 mg kg^?1), carboxin + thiram (EC₅₀ = 56.38 mg kg^?1), captan (EC₅₀ = 334.84 mg kg^?1), and thiametoxam (EC₅₀ = 791.99 mg kg^?1). Avoidance behavior was observed in the presence of imidacloprid (AC₅₀ = 0.11 mg kg^?1), captan (AC₅₀ = 33.54 mg kg^?1), carboxin + thiram (AC₅₀ = 60.32 mg kg^?1), and thiametoxam (AC₅₀ = >20 mg kg^?1). Earthworms showed a preference for soils with the insecticide fipronil. Imidacloprid was the most toxic of the substances tested for E. andrei. The avoidance test was the most sensitive test for most pesticides studied, but results varied between pesticides. These results offer new insights on the toxicity of pesticides used to treat seeds in tropical regions. However, they should be complemented with higher-tier tests in order to reduce the uncertainties in risk assessment.     

ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF AESTHETIC AMENITIES: A CASE STUDY OF RIVER VIEW1

ABSTRACT: Presence of a river in an urban setting may contribute positively to an aesthetically pleasing environment. Such aesthetic effects are not typically linked to specific economic activities and occur, for example, when residents are exposed to a river-view. Qualities enhancing the aesthetic value of the river include the presence of parks, trails, and vegetation along the riverbanks. The value of aesthetic amenities provided by the South Saskatchewan to the City of Saskatoon residents was estimated in this study using non-market methods. The implicit price of the river view was estimated using the Hedonic Price Model, whereas value through willingness to pay for property taxes or higher rents were also estimated using actual market data. The total annual value of the river to the City of Saskatoon through addition of aesthetic amenities was estimated at $1.2 million in 1989 dollars.     

Distribution and bioaccumulation of selenium in aquatic microcosms

Closed-system microcosms were used to study factors affecting the fate of selenium (Se) in aquatic systems. Distribution and bioaccumulation of Se varied among sediment types and Se species. A mixture of dissolved (75)Se species (selenate, selenite and selenomethionine) was sorbed more rapidly to fine-textured, highly organic pond sediments than to sandy riverine sediments. Sulfate did not affect the distribution and bioaccumulation of (75)Se over the range 80-180 mg SO(4) liter(-1). When each Se species was labeled separately, selenomethionine was lost from the water column more rapidly than selenate or selenite. Selenium lost from the water column accumulated primarily in sediments, but volatilization was also an important pathway for loss of Se added as selenomethionine. Loss rates of dissolved Se residues were more rapid than rates reported from mesocosm and field studies, suggesting that sediment: water interactions are more important in microcosms than in larger test systems. Daphnids accumulated highest concentrations of Se, followed by periphyton and macrophytes. Selenium added as selenomethionine was bioaccumulated preferentially compared to that added as selenite or selenate. Organoselenium compounds such as selenomethione may thus contribute disproportionately to Se bioaccumulation and toxicity in aquatic organisms.     

Characterization and pyrolysis of Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis: potential of bio-oil and chemical production by Py-GC/MS analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Biofuels have been seen as potential sources to meet future energy demand as a renewable and sustainable energy source. Despite the fact that the...     

Uncertainties in vegetated buffer strip function in controlling phosphorus export from agricultural land in the Canadian prairies

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Vegetated buffer strips (VBSs) are widely encouraged as a cost-effective strategy to address phosphorus (P) pollution associated with agricultural...