Effects of tributyltin maternal and/or waterborne exposure on the embryonic development of the Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum

We examined the effect of tributyltin (TBT) on embryonic development of the Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum. In a maternal exposure test, 100 clams were exposed to TBT at measured concentrations of <0.01 (control), 0.061, 0.310, or 0.350 microg/l at 20-22 degrees C for 3 weeks, and the embryo developmental success (the ratio of normal D-larvae to all larvae) was measured. There was a significant negative correlation between embryo developmental success and TBT concentration in the female Manila clams (p < 0.001). These results indicated that TBT accumulated in the female clam decreased embryo developmental success. In a waterborne exposure test, fertilized eggs (4 h after fertilization) were exposed to TBT at measured concentrations of <0.01 (control), 0.062, 0.140, 0.320, or 0.640 microg/l for 23 h. Embryo developmental success was also significantly decreased in all TBT treatment groups compared with that in the control group. TBT accumulated in female adults and waterborne TBT clearly inhibit reproductive success of the clam.     

Dioxin-like potencies and extractable organohalogens (EOX) in medical, municipal and domestic waste incinerator ashes in Japan

Ash samples collected from medical, municipal and small-scale domestic incinerators in Japan were tested for dioxin-like activity using bioassay technique (ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase: EROD assay) and for extractable organohalogens (EOX) using instrumental neutron activation analysis in order to estimate potential toxicity and responsible chemicals in those samples. Crude extracts and fractions cleaned-up for dioxin analysis from the samples were used for the analysis. The ranges of dioxins in the ashes were between 2.23 and 12.29 ng TEQ/g (dry weight). Relative potency ranges estimated by EROD assay in the medical incinerator ashes were 3.8-17.6 times higher than the results of conventional chemical analysis. EOX analysis suggested that ash samples contained plenty of organochlorine compounds apart from chlorinated dioxins. In addition, medical waste incinerator ashes were considered to have relatively higher amount of organoiodine compounds. In the cleaned-up fractions, bioassay potency ranges were lower than those in the crude extracts. However, some samples still exhibited higher potency than expected from chemical analysis. Though some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were found in the fractions, the amounts were relatively low (0.39-10.56 ng/g). The results imply that some bioactive organohalogens that cannot be detected in the conventional chemical analysis might have potential for dioxin-like toxicity, and contribute to higher bioassay activities. The combination of the chemical analysis with the bioassay and EOX provides rough figure of dioxin-like toxicity and suggests types of organohalogen compounds that should be identified as a part of dioxin analysis for control emission from an incineration plant.     

Detonation characteristics of ammonium nitrate and activated carbon mixtures

To better understand the detonation characteristics of ammonium nitrate (AN) and activated carbon (AC) mixtures, steel tube tests were carried out for AN/AC mixtures of various compositions and different forms of AN (powdered, prilled, phase stabilized and granular), and the detonation velocity was measured. The powdered AN/AC mixtures gave higher detonation velocities than the other AN forms. For all the AN/AC mixtures, the experimentally observed detonation velocities at each loading density were far below the theoretically predicted values calculated by the CHEETAH code based on thermohydrodynamics, exhibiting so-called non-ideal detonation. The lowest detonation velocity of powdered AN/AC mixtures was obtained as D=1.25 km/s for an AC content of 0.1 wt%. This was considered to be close to the critical condition for stable detonation.     

330/220kV电磁环网解环前后暂态稳定特性分析

为保证宁夏电网 330/220 kV 电磁环网解环后电网的安全稳定运行,运用电力系统分析综合程序(Power System Analysis Software Package,PSASP),对电磁环网解环前后电网在三级稳定标准涉及的各种故障形式下进行暂态稳定计算,对比分析解环前后系统电压与频率波动以及功角阻尼比的变化。计算结果表明:330/220kV 电磁环网解环对于宁夏电网的暂态稳定特性影响不大,解环后不会增加暂态失稳事故风险,解环条件一旦具备,应该及时实施解环。     

昆明市湿地公园地表灰尘重金属污染特征及健康风险评价

城市湿地公园是人们休闲娱乐的重要场所,但其地表灰尘的人群暴露健康风险却鲜有报道。该研究收集昆明市3个最受欢迎的湿地公园景区地表灰尘样品,利用等离子发射光谱仪(ICP-OES)测定灰尘中Pb、Cd、Hg、As、Zn、Cr、Cu、Ni、Co、Mn含量,使用地累积指数法(I_geo)、污染负荷指数法(PLI)和潜在生态风险指数法(RI)探讨湿地公园灰尘重金属污染特征,借助美国环保署健康风险评价模型,开展成人和儿童的重金属健康风险评价。结果表明：灰尘中10种重金属平均含量均超昆明市土壤背景值,其中Cd、Hg和Zn平均含量超背景值6倍,Cr、Ni、Co的I_geo<1。污染负荷指数法结果显示Hg、Cd、Zn中度污染,Pb、Cu和As则具有中等以上生态风险。人体健康风险评价结果显示,经口摄入为重金属主要暴露途径,其次是皮肤直接接触和呼吸吸入。Ni、As、Cd、Co和Cr的致癌风险值均小于10^-6,但若长期处于此种环境,可能会存在潜在的致癌风险。对于非致癌元素而言,Pb、Zn、Cu、Mn非致癌健康风险值都远小于1,即风险可以忽略。