Fuzzy logic and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system for characterization of contaminant exposure through selected biomarkers in African catfish

This study represents a first attempt at applying a fuzzy inference system (FIS) and an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) to the field of aquatic biomonitoring for classification of the dosage and time of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) injection through selected biomarkers in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Fish were injected either intramuscularly (i.m.) or intraperitoneally (i.p.) with BaP. Hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, relative visceral fat weights (LSI), and four biliary fluorescent aromatic compounds (FACs) concentrations were used as the inputs in the modeling study. Contradictory rules in FIS and ANFIS models appeared after conversion of bioassay results into human language (rule-based system). A “data trimming” approach was proposed to eliminate the conflicts prior to fuzzification. However, the model produced was relevant only to relatively low exposures to BaP, especially through the i.m. route of exposure. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis was unable to raise the classification rate to an acceptable level. In conclusion, FIS and ANFIS models have limited applications in the field of fish biomarker studies.     

The multixenobiotic resistance mechanism in the marine sponge Suberites domuncula: its potential applicability for the evaluation of environmental pollution by toxic compounds

Experiments were carried out with the marine sponge Suberites domuncula to determine whether sponges may express-like mammalian tumor cells-a multidrug-like transporter system. The results demonstrate that sponge cells possess such a protective system termed multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) pump or P-glycoprotein-like pump. The protein was identified by antisera for the mammalian P170 multidrug resistance protein as a 130 kDa molecule. Binding studies were performed with ³H-vincristine (³H-VCR) and membrane vesicles; this process is ATP-dependent and inhibited by verapamil, which is known to reverse the multidrug-resistance phenotype in mammalian systems. Accumulation experiments were performed to demonstrate that the uptake of ³H-VCR is time-dependent, and increases at elevated extracellular levels of ³H-VCR. Application of the dyeing technique with calcein-AM, a suitable functional assay for multidrug transporter systems in mammal cells, also revealed the existence of the MXR pump in S. domuncula plasma membranes. These data demonstrate that S. domuncula is provided with a multidrug-like transporter, the MXR pump, which might function as a protection system for sponges in polluted environments.     

The effectiveness of coastal management web portals – a critical analysis

Effective and efficient information dissemination is crucial for a successful management of coasts and beaches. Almost all coastal management activities use Internet portals to provide electronic accessibility of data and information. In this respect, we have analyzed web tracking data and costs to investigate the effectiveness and efficiency of two coastal management web portals. Indicators for the visiting quality, the volume and characteristics of the information flow and the associated costs were combined. The results show that mainly professional users were attracted by the two investigated online coastal management information offers. Furthermore, the coastal management contents were mainly relevant on regional scale. The results indicate that it is not enough to provide various information, instead it further needs also efforts to disseminate this information to a broader public. Specific preparation and presentation of information for the target groups would lead to an active dissemination process. The investigation of the costs shows that an increasing efficiency of information dissemination via the Internet goes together with the long term use of the information infrastructure. Therefore large coastal management web portals need runtimes of several years. The applied method combined and simplified actual used web analytic methods to allow valuable insights into the information dissemination of coastal management web portals. In this way the method can be used to help coastal decision makers or other practitioners to screen their web presence in the background of information supply and demand for all visitor groups they want to reach.     

Anaerobic transformation of four abundant organochlorine pesticide residues (B8-1413, B9-1679, oxychlordane,p,p‵-DDE) in extracts of Antarctic skua eggs by the isolated bacterium Sulfurospirillum multivorans

Residues of halogenated pollutants bioaccumulated in eggs of the south polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki) from the Antarctic were extracted, purified, and fractionated. The target fraction which contained the bulk of the chloropesticides was concentrated and incubated with cell suspensions of the isolated bacterium Sulfurospirillum multivorans (formerly Dehalospirillum multivorans). S. multivorans was previously identified as a good anoxic transformer of several halogenated compounds. The compounds of technical toxaphene 2-endo,3-exo,5-endo,6-exo,8,8,10,10-octachlorobornane (B8-1413, also known as P-26) and 2-endo,3-exo,5-endo,6-exo,8,8,9,10,10-nonachlorobornane (B9-1679, also known as P-50) as well as 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethene (p,p′-DDE) and 1-exo,2-exo,4,5,6,7,8,8-octachloro-2,3-exo-epoxy-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methanoindene (oxychlordane) were present at a sufficiently high concentration and hence useful for studying the anaerobic transformation by the bacterium. When treated with S. multivorans, B8-1413 and B9-1679 were almost quantitatively transformed within 1 day. For B9-1679, the major metabolite was found to be 2-endo,3-exo,5-endo,6-exo,8,9,10-heptachlorobornane (B7-1001). Compared to the toxaphenes, transformation of oxychlordane and p,p′-DDE was significantly slower. Even after seven days, about 10% of the initial pool was detected in the extracts. 1-chloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethene (p,p′-DDMU) was identified as a transformation product of p,p′-DDE. The four compounds in this study comprise some of the most persistent chloropesticide residues found in marine birds. In case there is sufficient transformation before they reach the top predators, the bioaccumulative potential can be significantly reduced.     

Wasserrahmenrichtlinie — Fortschritte und Defizite

Background

The water protection policy of the European Union sits on new footings since the end of 2000: The Water FrameworkDirective (WFD). By replacing, merging and renewing all parts of the European water protection policy from the 1970s, the WFD provides a consistent, transparent and comprehensive concept of what water management should be in the Europe of the coming decades. The new directive is aimed at a holistic approach towards integrated water protection. It sets ambitious high-quality goals to achieve a good status for European lakes and rivers primarily in ecological terms, gives details about the essential processes as well as instruments, and includes everything into a strict time schedule.

Aim

This article adresses progress and shortcomings at the implementation of the WFD in general and with reference to two selected case studies (Rivers Elbe and Upper Danube).

Results and Discussion

After introducing the WFD, its aims and exceptions, a policy summary and background document ‘Environmental objectives und the Water Framework Directive’ and the use of Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) for single ‘priority substances’ as well as ‘hazardous priority components’ is discussed. The initial characterization undertaken by the German states revealed that only about 14% of all surface waters are considered to meet the WFD objectives by the year of 2015. Approximately 60% of the water bodies assessed are at risk of failing the WFD objectives, if not systematic efforts are made to improve the quality. Screenings of sources and paths of exposure for ‘priority substances’ and ‘priority hazardous substances’ according WFD identified one distinct pollution source for surface waters: ‘Historical pollution from sediments’. Because of industrial emissions in the past several river catchment areas are expected to fail the standards demanded by the WFD, due to a risk of remobilization of contaminants from sediments. This holds true for the Rhine river with high loads of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) as well as for Elbe river, where contaminated sediments can be a severe problem. Therefore, integration of sediments into the holistic river basin management approach and their consideration within the ‘programmes of measures’ scheduled for 2009 is highly recommended. At present, a comprehensive weight-of-evidence study verifies whether the observed fish decline at the Upper Danube. River is caused by ecotoxicological hazard potentials of contaminated sediments.

Outlook

Combined investigations of sediment contamination and mobility as well as acute and mechanism specific biotests in effect directed analyses/weight-of-evidence studies show grent potential for the assessment of chemically polluted rivers and should be included into the ‘programmes of measures’ within future management concepts.