Evaluation of Virus Reduction by Ultrafiltration with Coagulation–Sedimentation in Water Reclamation

The evaluation of virus reduction in water reclamation processes is essential for proper assessment and management of the risk of infection by enteric viruses. Ultrafiltration (UF) with coagulation–sedimentation (CS) is potentially effective for efficient virus removal. However, its performance at removing indigenous viruses has not been evaluated. In this study, we evaluated the reduction of indigenous viruses by UF with and without CS in a pilot-scale water reclamation plant in Okinawa, Japan, by measuring the concentration of viruses using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Aichi virus (AiV) and pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) were targeted in addition to the main enteric viruses of concern for risk management, namely, norovirus (NoV) genogroups I and II (GI and GII) and rotavirus (RoV). PMMoV, which is a plant pathogenic virus and is present at high concentrations in water contaminated by human feces, has been suggested as a useful viral indicator. We also investigated the reduction of a spiked model virus (F-specific RNA bacteriophage MS2) to measure the effect of viral inactivation by both qPCR and plaque assay. Efficiencies of removal of NoV GI, NoV GII, RoV, and AiV by UF with and without CS were >0.5 to 3.7 log₁₀, although concentrations were below the detection limit in permeate water. PMMoV was the most prevalent virus in both feed and permeate water following UF, but CS pretreatment could not significantly improve its removal efficiency (mean removal efficiency: UF, 3.1 log₁₀; CS + UF, 3.4 log₁₀; t test, P > 0.05). CS increased the mean removal efficiency of spiked MS2 by only 0.3 log₁₀ by qPCR (t-test, P > 0.05), but by 2.8 log₁₀ by plaque assay (t-test, P < 0.01). This difference indicates that the virus was inactivated during CS + UF. Our results suggest that PMMoV could be used as an indicator of removal efficiency in water reclamation processes, but cultural assay is essential to understanding viral fate.     

Changing the Course of Biodiversity Conservation in the Caatinga of Northeastern Brazil

Abstract:  The 735,000-km² Caatinga is a mosaic of thorn scrub and seasonally dry forests, with more than 2000 species of vascular plants, fishes, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. Endemism in these groups varies from 7% to 57%. Inappropriate land use has already caused serious environmental damage and accelerating desertification, which is currently threatening about 15% of the region. Moreover, the rich and diversified biota of the Caatinga is poorly protected: only 11 reserves (<1% of the region) are strictly protected areas. A conservation strategy for the Caatinga biota should be designed to (1) avoid further habitat loss and desertification, (2) maintain key ecological services necessary for improving the living standards of the rural population, and (3) promote the sustainable use of the region's natural resources. Implementing an effective conservation agenda for the Caatinga is not an easy task but, with creativity and consistent financial support, it should be possible to nurture this unique biome and guarantee the preservation of its rich and diversified fauna and flora, and, with this, the well-being of its rural populations.     

Specific accumulation of mercury and selenium in seabirds

Total mercury (T-Hg), methyl mercury (MeHg) and selenium (Se) concentrations were determined to elucidate the relationship between Hg and Se levels in the liver of 10 seabird species. Highest concentrations of T-Hg (mean 267 microg/g dry wt), MeHg (mean 25.5 microg/g dry wt) and Se (mean 113 microg/g dry wt) were in the liver of black-footed albatross (Diomedea nigripes). An equivalent molar ratio of 1:1 between T-Hg and Se was found in the liver of individuals which contain over 100 microg Hg/g. However, such a relationship was unclear in other individuals which had relatively low Hg levels. This suggests that Se plays a role in Hg detoxification for those individuals with high Hg. In seabird tissues, Hg and Se levels should be a most important factor determining the relationship between Hg and Se, and fluctuation of Hg burden through molting and the species-specific demethylation capacity would also influence their relationships.     

Test for photosynthetic inhibition by bis(N′,N′-dimethylureido)biphenyl photoproducts of monuron

Five substituted biphenyl photoproducts were identified from the photolysis of 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea (monuron) under varying solution conditions. These photoproducts contained functional groups that conferred phytotoxic properties to phenylurea herbicides. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine if these biphenyl photoproducts at 1, 10 and 100 μM concentrations could exhibit phytotoxic effects using the Hill reaction as the biological assay. The results show that virtually no inhibitory effects were observed from the bis-(N′,N′-dimethylureido)biphyenyl photoproducts at any of the above concentrations.     

Phosphorus dynamics associated with phytoplankton blooms in eutrophic Mikawa Bay,Japan

Changes in the phosphorus components of the particulate matter in seawater were studied in the eutrophicated waters of Mikawa Bay, Japan, during summer 1981. The contents of particulate phosphorus and hot-water extractable intracellular phosphorus displayed remarkable changes associated with phytoplankton blooms caused by wind-induced or upwelling-associated nutrient enrichment from the bottom water layers. Nanoplankton <10 m accounted for much of the particulate phosphorus (70 to 79% in June and July, and 44 to 78% in August and September); the contribution of large-sized phytoplankton >25 m varied from 9 to 49%, the peak values being attained under red-tide conditions. The capacity for phosphorus storage in cells was low in nanoplankton cells, high in large phytoplankton species. Differences in rates of phosphorus storage and growth between nanoplankton and large phytoplankton accounted for fluctuations in particulate phosphorus which were closely associated with fluctuations in phytoplankton blooms in Mikaw Bay.     

Fate estimation of estrogenic substances in an urban river by flux calculation.

This study investigated the fate of estrogenic substances in an urban river receiving discharge from wastewater treatment plants (WTPs) by flux calculation, focusing on the middle reaches of the Tama River in Tokyo, which is one of the most urbanized rivers in Japan. The level of estrogenic activity flux was almost negligibly small at the upstream station. The level was considerably raised after inflows from the WTPs and then the level declined in the lower reaches of the river. When contributions of estrogenic substances to estrogenic activity were estimated, estrone (E1) was the primary contributor to the total estrogenic activity in all the sampling stations, followed by estradiol (E2). The contribution of nonylphenol to estrogenic activity was small. The E1 and E2 accounted for approximately 90% or more of estrogenic activity in the Tama River. As for the total fluxes of the estrogenic substances in the study area in the Tama River, the proportion of flux associated with WTP discharge was approximately 100% of the total fluxes, and the effects of the tributaries flowing into the river were almost negligible. When the reduction ratios of estrogenic activity were calculated by the flux, the ratios were found to increase toward the lower reaches of the river. Similar changes were observed for E1. Meanwhile, the change of reduction ratios for E2 was different from that observed for estrogenic activity.     

Prenatal diagnosis of atelosteogenesis type I at 21 weeks' gestation

We describe prenatal diagnosis in a male fetus at 21 weeks of gestation with atelosteogenesis type I (AO I). Fetal ultrasonography (US) revealed absent or deficient ossification of the posterior neural arches of the thoracic spine, humeri, radii, ulnae, fibulae, and short tubular bones other than the distal phalanges, in addition to extremely short, thick femora. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using an ultrafast imaging sequence depicted dysmorphic features, pulmonary hypoplasia, and large cisterna magna. Postmortem radiographs warranted a diagnosis of AO I. Autopsy corroborated not only pulmonary hypoplasia but also laryngeal stenosis. The chondro-osseous histological findings were consistent with those of AO I. Meticulous evaluation using fetal US and MRI permits a definitive prenatal diagnosis of AO I to be made. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Generation amount prediction and material flow analysis of electronic waste: a case study in Beijing, China.

The draft legislation on e-waste prepared by the Chinese national government assigns management responsibility to local governments. It is an urgent task for the municipal government to plan an effective system as soon as possible to divert the e-waste flow from the existing informal e-waste recycling processes. This paper presents a case study implemented in Beijing, the capital city of China, with the purpose of predicting the amount of obsolete equipment for five main kinds of electronic appliances from urban households and to analyse the flow after the end of their useful phase. The amount to be handled was 885,354 units in 2005 and is predicted to double by 2010. Due to consumption growth and the expansion of urbanization it is estimated that the amount will increase to approximate 2,820,000 units by 2020: 70% of the obsolete appliances will be awaiting collection for possible recycling, 7% will be stored at the owner's home for 1 year on average and 4% will be discarded directly and enter the municipal solid waste collecting system. The remaining items will be reused for about 3 years on average after the change of ownership. The results of this study will assist the waste management authorities of Beijing to plan the collecting system and facilities needed for management of e-waste generated in the near future.