Biotransformations of Chlorophenols in River Sediments

Abstract

The accumulation of chlorophenols, including 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP), from river sediments from southern Taiwan were studied. Through simple or more exhaustive extractions, the results showed that 99% of the samples containing 2,4,6-TCP and PCP could be removed by simple extraction. the concentrations were found to range from non-detectable to 16.60 ngg¹ for 2,4,6-TCP and to 25.02 ngg¹ for PCP. Partition coefficients (K_p) were 0.71, 0.74 mlg¹ for 2,4,6-TCP, 1.35 and 1.41 mlg¹ for PCP. Biodegradation by DCP-adapted or unadapted anaerobes in sediment was carried out. During 21 days' incubation, the complete degradation time for 2,4,6-TCP in DCP-adapted anaerobic, unadapted anaerobic, and unadapted aerobic conditions were found to be 9, 10, 12 days for N3 sediment, and 8, 10, 11 days for N6 sediment, respectively; for PCP it was 19 days, without degradation, 14 days for N3 sediment, and 13, 17, 10 days for N6 sediment, respectively. the biodegradable products were identified as 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol (2,3,4,5-TeCP), 3,4,5-TCP, 3,5-DCP, 3-MCP, phenol, methylphenol, and benzoate for PCP, and 2,4-DCP, 4-MCP, phenol, methylphenol, and benzoate for 2,4,6-TCP.     

Biomarker responses as indication of contaminant effects in Oreochromis niloticus

The current study investigated oxidative stress parameters (enzymes activities, metallothionein content and lipid peroxidation) in freshwater fish, Oreochromis niloticus, tilapia exposure to Monjolinho River (in 4 months of year: January, April, July and November). One critical site in Monjolinho River (site B) was assessed in comparison to a reference site (site A). Water pH and oxygen concentration was lower than that recommended by CONAMA (Brazilian National Environmental Committee), resolution 357/2005 for protection of aquatic communities, and ammonium and the metals Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe (on all months) concentrations were higher than the maximum concentration recommended. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were significantly decreased in liver and muscle in tilapia from Monjolinho River, throughout the year, in relation to reference except in gills that SOD activity increased. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was significantly increased in liver of the tilapia from Monjolinho River in all sites, in relation to reference except in gills that GST activity increased in July and decreased in November, suggesting that GST activity could be induced to neutralize the pollutants toxicity. On the other hand, GST activity was significantly decreased in white muscle indicating a toxic effect of pollutants, resulting in a decreased ability of tilapia to perform defense reactions associated to GSTs. The decrease of catalase (CAT) activity in gills of the O. niloticus together with the increase of SOD activity, could explain the increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) level in this organ. Metallothionein levels in liver and gills were significantly high in all sites. Results indicate that the exposure to metals caused severe damage to tissues; despite the consensually assumed antioxidant induction as a sign of exposure to contaminants the effects seem in part to be mediated by suppression of antioxidant system with SOD, CAT and GPx as potential candidates for tissues toxicity biomarkers of pollutants.     

Fungal and enzymatic treatment of mature municipal landfill leachate

The aim of our study was to evaluate biotreatability of mature municipal landfill leachate by using white rot fungus and its extracellular enzymes. Leachates were collected in one active and one closed regional municipal landfill. Both chosen landfills were operating for many years and the leachates generated there were polluted by organic and inorganic compounds. The white rot fungus Dichomitus squalens was able to grow in the mature leachate from the closed landfill and as it utilizes present organic matter as a source of carbon, the results were showing 60% of DOC and COD removal and decreased toxicity to the bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri. On the other hand, growth of the fungus was inhibited in the presence of the leachate from the active landfill. However, when the leachate was introduced to a crude enzyme filtrate containing extracellular ligninolytic enzymes, removal levels of COD and DOC reached 61% and 44%, respectively. Furthermore, the treatment led to detoxification of the leachate to the bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri and to reduction of toxicity (42%) to the plant Sinapis alba. Fungal and enzymatic treatment seems to be a promising biological approach for treatment of mature landfill leachates and their application should be further investigated.     

铝胁迫下不同耐铝小麦品种活性氧代谢差异及与小麦耐铝性的关系

逆境条件下植物体内产生并累积活性氧从而破坏植物组织结构与功能,同时植物也可以通过改变活性氧代谢相关酶活性清除活性氧而减轻活性氧伤害以适应环境胁迫。为研究铝胁迫下不同耐铝小麦品种（TriticumaestivumL．）在活性氧代谢上的差异及与小麦耐铝性的关系,本试验选用小麦品种ET8（耐铝型）、ES8（铝敏感型）为试验材料研究了不同耐铝小麦品种活性氧代谢变化上的差异。结果表明,50μmol·L-1铝处理24h,ET8和ES8活性氧含量显著升高,O2产生速率增幅分别为10．5％和20．4％,H202含量增幅分别为3．3％和7．6％。ET8和ES8超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性增幅分别为11．9％和41．6％,过氧化物酶（POD）活性增幅为51．8％和77．8％,抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）活性增幅为54．4％和29．1％,过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性增幅为32．9％和38．4％,谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）活性增幅为83．1％和85．5％。虽然抗氧化酶活性增加后会清除一部分活性氧,但活性氧的累积仍然造成了膜脂的过氧化,ET8和ES8丙二醛（MDA）含量分别增加18．2％和50．0％,质膜透性也随着MDA含量的升高而增加,增幅分别为1．25倍和1．36倍。综上所述,不同耐铝品种间活性氧代谢的差异是小麦品种耐铝性差异显著的原因之一。     

不同浓度铵态氮对苦草的生理影响

研究了苦草在不同浓度(0.02,0.05,0.10,0.30,0.60,1.00,3.00mg/L)铵态氮中暴露14d后,其生物量的变化、叶片游离氨基酸态氮、叶绿素、可溶性蛋白含量以及O2-×信号强度、抗氧化酶活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量的响应.结果表明,各浓度组苦草的生物量无显著变化,但是各生理指标变化显著.当铵态氮浓度为0.30mg/L时,苦草叶片中游离氨基酸态氮的含量即开始显著升高.当铵态氮浓度达到0.60mg/L时,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性显著升高,表明苦草诱导产生氧化应激但未受到氧化损伤.当铵态氮浓度高于1.00mg/L时,SOD和过氧化物酶(POD)活性显著升高,O2-×信号强度显著增强,叶绿素、可溶性蛋白含量显著降低.当铵态氮浓度为0.02mg/L时,O2-×信号强度显著增强.综上,铵态氮浓度低于0.60mg/L苦草生长良好,浓度31.00mg/L苦草光合能力受到抑制、代谢受到干扰.苦草对铵态氮最敏感的生理生化指标是叶片中游离氨基酸态氮含量.铵态氮作为沉水植物的一种营养物质,当其含量较低时,植物由于营养缺乏诱导产生自由基.     

Assessment of soil quality under different tillage practices during wheat cultivation: soil enzymes and microbial biomass

Microbial processes, particularly enzyme activities, play crucial functional roles in soil ecology, hence serving as sensitive indicators of soil quality. We assessed the temporal dynamics of microbial biomass and selected soil enzymes (β-d-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, polyphenol oxidase, urease, glycine-aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase) during wheat cultivation, under four different tillage practices in the rice–wheat system. The four practices involved conventional tilling of soil before cultivating each crop (CTR-CTW); no tilling before cultivating rice but conventional tillage before wheat (NTR-CTW); conventional tilling before cultivating rice but no tilling before wheat (CTR-NTW) and no tilling before cultivation of each crop (NTR-NTW). Microbial biomass and activities of hydrolytic enzymes increased under NTR-NTW followed by CTR-NTW and NTR-CTW with respect to the conventional practice CTR-CTW, thus reflecting improvement in microbial activities with reduced tillage frequency. Enzyme activities generally depended on soil moisture and temperature, but nature of relationships varied among different practices. Nutrient demand appeared to be the strongest driver of alkaline phosphatase and urease, and soil temperature for glycine-aminopeptidase. Under CTR-CTW, activities of most of the extracellular enzymes were related with β-d-glucosidase or urease, but such relations altered under rest of the practices. The study showed that extracellular soil enzymes respond sensitively to tillage practices as well as environmental variables, particularly soil temperature and moisture and hence can serve as a sensitive indicator of changes in soil processes. Considering improvement in microbial biomass and enzymatic activities as indicators of better soil quality, adoption of no tillage apparently improved soil quality. Still, more number of field studies are required under tillage managements to explore the relationships between different enzyme activities and environmental factors.     

Bromobenzene-induced hepatotoxicity in male rats: the protective effect of flaxseed

The metabolites of bromobenzene (BB) are hepatotoxic. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of different doses of flaxseed extract in alleviating BB-hepatotoxicity in male albino rats. Oxidative stress parameters, drug metabolizing enzymes, a pro-inflammatory marker, an apoptotic marker, and DNA fragmentation pattern were also assessed. Animals were divided into five groups treated by intragastric intubation as follows: control, BB-treated 460?mg?kg^?1?BW alone; three animal groups (III, IV, V) were treated concurrently with 460?mg?kg^?1 BB daily for 3 weeks and different doses of flaxseeds extract: 100, 200, or 300?mg?kg^?1?BW. Oral treatment of BB produced a significant decrease in activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and glutathione levels, while activities of glutathione reductase and drug-metabolizing enzymes; glutathione-S-transferases and cytochrome P450 were enhanced. BB-treatment resulted in enhanced production of nitric oxide and activation of COX-2 and caspase-3. Pre-treatment with different doses of flaxseeds extract prior and during BB-treatment protected liver against BB-induced hepatotoxicity. The lower dose of flaxseed extract (100?mg?kg^?1) was most effective one.     

Effect of dietary Jatropha curcas seed meal on rabbits infested by adult ticks of Hyalomma marginatum marginatum

The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the oral administration of Jatropha curcas seed meal (JCSM) on serum biochemical parameters and histopathology of skin, liver, and kidney of rabbits experimentally infested by Hyalomma marginatum marginatum. Thirty healthy mixed-breed rabbits were randomly divided into five equal groups. The first group was kept as a control and fed soya bean meal. The remaining groups were fed diets containing 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, or 10% JCSM. At the sixth week, each group was divided into two subgroups. Ticks were introduced to all members of one subgroup, the other subgroup being kept as control. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for biochemical parameters before (zero time) and after the treatment, on the 6th and 8th weeks. Histopathological studies were conducted 8 weeks after the treatment. The results revealed that JCSM could be used in the treatment of ectoparasites at levels of less than 10% in the diet without any serious effects on liver and kidney functions.     

Humic substances. Part III. sorptive interactions with environmental chemicals†

The formation of covalent binding to DNA of a carcinogen is now widely accepted to represent a classical mechanism of tumour induction in mammals. This mechanism does not operate with metals since no covalent binding of these agents to DNA does occur. Nevertheless, somatic mutations as typical consequences of DNA‐damage have been reported to be induced by metals in various model systems. Beside DNA‐alkylation such damages can be caused by changes in the conformation of DNA or in the fidelity of DNA‐repair. The activity of the repair enzymes DNA‐polymerases is indeed impaired by many metal ions at least in vitro. It is not yet established whether these mechanisms are also important in the intact mammalian organism. Much evidence has accumulated during the last years that a disturbance of the balance of cations and especially metal ions represents another possible mechanism of tumour induction. The tumours found with high doses of chelating agents such as nitrilo‐triacetic acid (NTA) have to be discussed in this context. Since most—if not—all of the speculative mechanisms of metal carcinogenesis resemble classical pharmacological reactions the existence of a threshold level is likely. So metal carcinogenesis will not be a problem of the environmental contamination at trace levels but a problem of occupational medicine.     

芘暴露对马氏珠母贝鳃和肝胰腺抗氧化酶活性的影响

在实验生态条件下,采用生态毒理学方法,选用海洋环境中常见的有机污染物多环芳烃芘（Pyrene）,以马氏珠母贝（Pinctada martensi）为实验材料进行毒理实验。研究了芘不同质量浓度（8、16、32和64μg·L^-1、不同时间（7,10 d）的胁迫对马氏珠母贝鳃和肝胰腺组织中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GPx）3种抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果表明：3种酶在不同组织和不同胁迫时间的敏感性有所差异,在芘胁迫马氏珠母贝第7天,鳃组织中 SOD、POD、GPx 3种酶活性主要表现为诱导现象,高质量浓度组对3种酶活性均具有极显著诱导作用（p〈0.01）,而芘胁迫对肝胰腺3种酶活性的影响主要表现为抑制作用,且POD酶活性表现最敏感,在较低浓度组就被显著抑制（p〈0.01）;到染毒第10天,鳃组织中SOD、GPx两种酶诱导作用明显,POD诱导现象不显著（p〉0.05）,肝胰腺中3种酶活性与对照组相比诱导明显,并表现出一定的剂效关系。两种组织中SOD和GPx活性的变化具有一定的同步性。通过比较最低可观察效应质量浓度（LOEC）,发现在第7天,鳃组织中敏感性强弱表现为SOD=POD〉GPx,肝胰腺中表现为POD〉GPx〉SOD,而到第10d,两组织中敏感性又分别表现为GPx〉SOD〉POD,GPx=SOD〉POD。因此,在较短的暴露时间,POD酶活性可作为芘胁迫对马氏珠母贝的生物标志物,而对于较长时间的染毒实验,可选用 GPx 酶作为芘胁迫对马氏珠母贝的生物标志物以监测海洋环境芘污染。