Assessment of PAHs in water and fish tissues from Great Bitter and El Temsah lakes,Suez Canal,as chemical markers of pollution sources

Sea water and fish tissue samples were collected from nine sampling stations from the Great Bitter and El Temsah lakes in the Suez Canal and analysed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). The compositions of PAH determined in the dissolved fraction of sea water were measured in order to use them as chemical markers for identifying different sources of PAH pollution in this region. PAHs determined in fish tissues were measured for comparison with human health standards as consumption. The total mean PAHs concentrations in the sea water samples ranged from 0.28 to 39.57 μg l^?1 with an overall mean of 10.78 and 12.38 μg l^?1 for El Temsah and Bitter Lakes water, respectively. Total PAHs fractions recorded in muscle tissues of all different Osteicthyes fishes collected from Great Bitter lakes ranged from 5.8 to 218.5 μg g^?1 with an overall mean of 57.98 μg g^?1 during all seasons. However, they ranged from 68 to 623 μg g^?1 with an overall mean of 87.69 μg g^?1 recorded in El Temsah lake during four seasons (2003–2004). Benzo(a)pyrene was the most dominant PAHs found in the sea water samples from both lakes with an average concentration of 3.8 μ g l^?1. Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene (DBA) was the most dominant PAHs recorded in fish samples. A maximum of 533 μg g^?1 of DBA was recorded in Dahbana sp. collected from Bitter lakes during January 2004. However, a maximum of 68.7 μ g g^?1 was recorded in Liza carinata species collected from El Temsah lake during July, 2004. The simultaneous occurrence of isomer ratios PHE/ANT<10 for all stations indicated that the major PAH input to water was from combustion of fossil fuel (pyrolytic source). The average ratios were 1.21 and 12.9 during winter (January 2004) and 4.3 and 8.63 during spring (April 2004) for all water samples of Great Bitter lakes and El Temsah lake, respectively. In addition, the present data demonstrate that PAHs from fossil fuel sources (MW<178) were the least significant source of PAHs in this region.     

Genetic connectivity and historical demography of the blue barred parrotfish (Scarus ghobban) in the western Indian Ocean

Studies on genetic connectivity are essential for the design of management strategies for coral reef fisheries. In this study we used a mitochondrial DNA marker to investigate population structure of the reef-associated parrotfish, Scarus ghobban, from four countries, Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles and Tanzania, in the western Indian Ocean. We obtained nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial control region for 117 individuals. Measures of haplotype diversity were relatively high. Pairwise population differentiation (F _ST) was low, but not always non-significant. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed genetic differentiation between groups, when the data was partitioned into two groups consisting of samples from Mauritius and Tanzania in one group, and samples from Kenya and Seychelles in another group. Direction of gene flow was estimated using a Bayesian approach. Migration was sometimes asymmetric or directional, coinciding with the flow of major oceanic and coastal currents in the region. Mismatch distributions, based on the observed number of differences among haplotype pairs, produced a unimodal distribution, indicative of recent demographic expansion. Phylogenetic analyses revealed three clades without any geographic structure, suggesting recent migration between historically isolated lineages. We reconstructed the historical demography of S. ghobban and examined it in the context of Pleistocene climate stages and changes in relative sea level. Overall, these results showed that populations of S. ghobban are genetically diverse and have relatively high gene flow, with some genetic structuring in the western Indian Ocean.     

Generalized Nondimensional Depth‐Discharge Rating Curves Tested on Florida Streamflow1

Abstract: A discharge rating is a relationship between stage and discharge at a specific point in a river stream or lake outlet structure. Rating curves are useful for interpolating and perhaps extrapolating flow measurements and for use directly in storage routing models. However, rating data and stations are limited. A generalized nondimensional mathematical expression that describes the rating relation of depth and discharge has been developed and tested against observations from 46 stations in West‐Central Florida. Three approaches were tested in sequence to select the best fit. The proposed model is a log‐linear equation with zero intercept and a slope that fits more than 50% of the stations were analyzed. The model is normalized by the depth and discharge values at 10% exceedance from data published by the U.S. Geological Survey. For ungauged applications, Q₁₀ and d₁₀ were derived from a relationship shown to be reasonably well correlated to the watershed drainage area. The average relative error for this parameter set shows that for the flow range up to the Q₁₀ discharge, better than 30% agreement with the USGS rating data can be expected for about 50% of the stations. Further analysis is required to determine why so many stations exhibit such similar behavior and to identify the criteria or parameters governing the differences.     

Bioremediation assessment,hematological, and biochemical responses of the earthworm (Allolobophora caliginosa) in soil contaminated with crude oil

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Soil contamination with crude oil is a major environmental problem. The aim of this study was to assess whether the earthworm Allolobophora caliginosa...     

Phytotoxicity,cytotoxicity, and in vivo antifungal efficacy of chitosan nanobiocomposites on prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Chitosan (CS) nanosystems have potential applications for the control of microorganisms in the medical, environmental, and agrifood fields. In vivo...     

Distribution and environmental impacts of some radionuclides in sedimentary rocks at Wadi Naseib area, southwest Sinai, Egypt

The present study examines the natural radioactivity in some sedimentary rocks and their associated environmental impacts at Wadi Naseib area. Exposure rate (ER), dose rate (DR), radium equivalent activity (Ra(eq)), external hazard index (H(ex)), internal hazard index (H(in)) and radioactivity level index (I(gamma)) were calculated. Wadi Naseib area is covered with sedimentary rocks of early to late Paleozoic age. These rocks are classified into two types: mineralized and non-mineralized sediments. The radiometric investigations revealed that uranium and thorium contents reached up to 710 and 520 ppm, respectively, in the mineralized rocks. This was attributed to the presence of some secondary uranium minerals. All sediments had low values of eTh and K content. The exposure and dose rates exceeded public permissible values in the mineralized sediments. Exposure and dose rates were within the safety range for workers and the public in the non-mineralized sediments. The expected environmental impacts may be low due to the limited occurrence of U-mineralization and corresponding areas for radiation exposure. Some precautions and recommendations were suggested to avoid any possible environmental impacts from areas and/or raw materials of high intensity of natural radiation sources.     

Occupational exposure to pesticides and associated health effects among greenhouse farm workers

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The number and production capacities of greenhouse farms have been increased across the globe, driven by an effort for addressing food security...     

Development of a Natural Chewing Gum from Plant Based Polymer

In this study, Kenger gum obtained from Kenger plant (Gundelia tournefortii) was used in the production of biodegradable and edible chewing gum. Kenger gum was able to be softened by thermal process to improve its textural properties. 80% methanolic extract of gum showed 195.6 gallic acid equivalents (GAE) mg/100 g gum antioxidant activity and 17.9 mm inhibition zone for Escherichia coli O157:H7 as an antimicrobial activity. Softened Kenger gum was also characterized by texture properties, scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and chemical compositions. Hardness value of gum decreased from 864 to 238 g which was comparable to commercial chewing gums. Softened Kenger gum was observed to be a perfect substitute for a synthetic gum base in the production of a conventional chewing gum. Moreover, resilience value was remarkably found to be the best standard parameter to select chewing gums with desired textural properties.     

Potential harmful elements in coal dust and human health risk assessment near the mining areas in Cherat,Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study was aimed to investigate the potential harmful element (PHE) concentrations in coal dust and evaluate the human risk assessment and health...     

Beneficial role of ascorbic and folic acids antioxidants against thyroxin-induced testicular dysfunction in hyperthyroid rats

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Thyroid hormones play a fundamental role in the regulation of metabolism of almost all mammalian tissue including the reproductive system....