Permethrin induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity on the freshwater beetle Laccophilus minutus

Biomonitoring has become a useful tool in environmental risk assessment of anthropogenic activities releasing disturbing pollutants. Permethrin, used worldwide to control a wide range of pest insects, can threaten aquatic biota, potentially useful as precocious bioindicators in ecotoxicology. This study seeks to assess the acute toxicity permethrin to the freshwater beetle, its availability in water, as well as, its uptake. The acute toxicity of permethrin to non-target species was studied under laboratory conditions to assess its effect, after the exposure 48 h, on the freshwater beetle Laccophilus minitus considering changes in some enzymatic activities; a specific biomarker of neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase) and a non-specific biomarker of oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase and catalase). The rates of permethrin in water and insects were determined using gas chromatography. The low measured concentration of the pesticide 0.0013 μg/L didńt modify the SOD and CAT activities in comparison with controls, only the high concentrations (0.023 and 0.18 μg/L) induced a significant increase in the enzyme activity. A similar profile was recorded for the H₂O₂ level. The permethrin treatment induced a drastic depletion of AChE activity. As outcomes, uptake at a low level (<6.8 ± 0.43 ng/g dry weight) showed to be the factor underlying the alterations in the beetles exposed to permethrin. Such findings provide information on the behaviour of permethrin within the environment and its biological target through its neurotoxicity and induction of oxidative stress in a freshwater beetle.     

Potential of rice husk ash in atrazine removal

An experimental study was carried out to explore the possibility of using a prepared microporous material, Rice Husk Ash (RHA) as an alternative to the commercial Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC), to remove atrazine (ATZ) pesticide from aqueous solution. The effects of contact time and pH on the adsorption were studied using the batch technique. Based on Hückel model calculations, the zwitterion behaviour of atrazine molecule was proved to be related to the pH of zero charge point of adsorbents (6.8 for RHA and 8.2 for PAC). The results showed that the Pseudo Second Order model is applicable to both adsorbents, suggesting that chemisorption is the rate-limiting step. The equilibrium data fitted well with the Langmuir model in the case of RHA, whereas the Freundlich model better fitted the equilibrium data in the PAC case, suggesting the existence of multi-layer adsorption of atrazine. The adsorption for RHA was found to be feasible and spontaneous, with a removal capacity of atrazine of more than 7?mg?g^?1. With regard to the BET surface, this removal capacity (50.5?µg_ATZ / m²_RHA) was 25% better than that PAC (37.75µg_ATZ / m²_PAC).     

Upgrading VFAs bioproduction from waste activated sludge via co-fermentation with soy sauce residue

SSR addition upgraded VFAs production from WAS. Structure modification by pretreatments led to performance distinctions. Distinctions in microbial community was observed by pretreatments selection. Up to 0.49‒0.65 billion €/year of market value potential was preliminary estimated. Conditioning of extra carbon sources has been widely reported to facilitate fermentation of waste activated sludge (WAS). Soy sauce residue (SSR) was a relatively untapped carbon source for sludge conditioning. This batch study aimed to evaluate the possible implementation of SSR for volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production from WAS. To upgrade the bioavailability of feedstock, three typical pretreatment methods were conducted, i.e., ammonium hydroxide (AH), sulfuric acids (SA) and thermal assisted alkaline (TA). AH pretreated test (AH-PT) outperformed due to a relatively strong structure decomposition of cellulosic materials as revealed by infrared spectroscopic analysis and crystal index. As a result, performed a high hydrolysis rate of 4449 mg COD/d, 1.12-1.23-fold higher than that in TA and SA pretreated tests (TA-PT and SA-PT), and 7.8-fold higher than that in the Control test. Meanwhile, a volatile fatty acids (VFAs) contribution of 401.2 mg COD/g SSR∙L and a maximum acidification rate of 3.59 d^-1 was recorded, with a high sum proportion of mall molecular acetic and propionic 82.2%, 11% ‒70% increase over the other three tests. Besides, speciation process characterized with functional genus differentiation was identified by microbial diversity and distribution investigation and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Finally, a potential market value of 0.49‒0.65 Billion €/year was preliminary estimated, showing promise of resource recovery from both WAS and SSR instead of extensive disposal.     

Effect of long-term application of corn stalks and inorganic fertilizers on fluorescence characteristics of water extractable organic matter in a meadow black soil of northeast China

ABSTRACT

Returning crop residues into fields, either alone or in combination with inorganic fertilizer, is considered as a practical way to enhance soil fertility. However, information concerning the effects of crop residues and inorganic fertilizer application on water extractable organic matter (WEOM) in soil is scarce. The aim of this study was to examine the 10-year effect of corn residue (CR) return with or without the application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer on the quantity and quality of WEOM in a black soil of northeast China by means of ultraviolet absorbance, fluorescence excitation--emission matrix, and derived spectroscopic indices. The application of NPK fertilizers and CR, alone or together, increased the content of total soil organic carbon (SOC), water extractable organic carbon (WEOC), and ratio of WEOC/SOC, with the sequence being NPK + CR > CR > NPK > CK. Compared with control treatment, the individual application of NPK fertilizer decreased the aromaticity of WEOM. In contrast, elevated proportion of tryptophan-like fluorophore and microbially derived fulvic acid-like components with low molecular weight was detected in the WEOM. The amendment with CR alone resulted in increase in aromaticity of WEOM and proportion of plant-derived humic acid-like component with large molecular weight, accompanied by reduced proportion of tyrosine-like compounds. For the soil with CR restoration, the application of NPK fertilizer increased aromaticity of WEOM, and large molecular weight fulvic acid-like and humic acid-like compounds were found. However, the proportions of tyrosine-like and tryptophan-like compounds were diminished. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of WEOM using fluorescence spectroscopy describes responses to be observed in long-term different fertilization strategies.     

Characteristics and risk assessment of organochlorine pesticide residues in surface sediments collected at the Qingshitan Reservoir

ABSTRACT

An ultrasonic extraction – gas chromatography – electron capture detector analytical method was used to measure the concentration and types of organochlorine (OC) pesticides in sediment to obtain a better understanding of the characteristics and hidden ecological risks associated with OC pesticide exposure in surface sediment of the Qingshitan Reservoir. Fifteen types of OC pesticides were detected in the sediment, and the sum concentration of these chemicals was in the 149.32–490.19 ng/g range (mean value: 319.39 ng/g). The concentrations of detected OC pesticides occurred in the following order: hexachlorohexanes (HCHs) (mean value: 200.17 ng/g) > DDTs (mean value: 36.92 ng/g) > heptachlors (mean value: 32.74 ng/g) > methoxychlor (mean value: 24.13 ng/g). There was a 100% detection rate for HCH isomers, and their concentrations occurred in the following order: β-HCH > δ-HCH > γ-HCH > α-HCH. β-HCH was the main component of HCHs. Ratios between α-HCH/γ-HCH and β-/(α+γ)-HCH were used to investigate the sources of pollution. Most of the surveyed areas were polluted by lindane, which originated from past pesticide residue usage, and no new inputs of HCHs were found. DDT was the major component of the DDTs, and accounted for 52%–87% of the DDTs. The ratios of (DDE+DDD)/DDT at all sample collection points were less than 1, indicating that degradation rate of DDTs in sediment was low and there was a new input of DDTs in these surveyed areas. The ratio of DDD/DDE was less than 1 at most of the sample collection points, indicating that the degradation of DDT in the sediments primarily took place under aerobic conditions. Comparison of OC pesticide residual levels in the underwater sediment collected at the Qingshitan Reservoir to other states and countries showed the pollution level of these chemicals of the Qingshitan Reservoir was relatively high. The ecological risk was assessed based on guideline values of effects range-low (ERL) and effects range-medium (ERM). The results showed that DDD, DDE, DDTs and endrin residues in the sediment posed a moderate ecological risk, but DDT and γ-HCH showed high ecological risk. These OC pesticides might adversely affect biological systems, and need to be addressed.     

Utilization of nano/micro-size iron recovered from the fine fraction of automobile shredder residue for phenol degradation in water

Phenol removal by n/m Fe in the presence of H₂O₂ was highly effective. Increasing the amounts of n/m Fe and H₂O₂?increased the phenol removal rate. Phenol removal was decreased with an increase in the concentration of phenol. The natural pH (6.9) of the solution was highly effective for phenol removal. The pseudo-first-order kinetics was best fitted for the degradation of phenol. The study investigates the magnetic separation of Fe from automobile shredder residue (ASR) (<0.25 mm) and its application for phenol degradation in water. The magnetically separated Fe was subjected to an ultrasonically assisted acid treatment, and the degradation of phenol in an aqueous solution using nano/micro-size Fe (n/m Fe) was investigated in an effort to evaluate the possibility of utilizing n/m Fe to remove phenol from wastewater. The prepared n/m Fe was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The effects of the dosages of n/mFe, pH, concentration of phenol and amount of H₂O₂ on phenol removal were evaluated. The results confirm that the phenol degradation rate was improved with an increase in the dosages of n/mFe and H₂O₂; however, the rate is reduced when the phenol concentration is higher. The degradation of phenol by n/mFe followed the pseudo-first-order kinetics. The value of the reaction rate constant (k) was increased as the amounts of n/m Fe and H₂O₂ increased. Conversely, the value of k was reduced when the concentration of phenol was increased. The probable mechanism behind the degradation of phenol by n/m Fe is the oxidation of phenol through hydroxyl radicals which are produced during the reaction between H₂O₂ and n/m Fe.     

阿维菌素在棉花和土壤中的消解规律研究

在济南和合肥开展了阿维菌素在棉花和土壤中残留田间试验,采用超高效液相色谱-质谱联用分析方法,研究了阿维菌素在棉花和土壤中的消解动态和最终残留。试验结果表明：阿维菌素在添加浓度水平为2～50μg·kg-1,平均回收率为78.2%～98.0%,相对标准偏差（RSD）为2.6%～6.4%;阿维菌素在棉叶和土壤中的消解动态符合一级动力学方程,其在棉叶中的半衰期为0.7～0.8 d,在土壤中的半衰期为0.9～1.4 d;阿维菌素在棉籽和土壤中的最终残留量均为未检出。建议按照按推荐剂量16.2～24.3 g·hm-2施药,施药1次,其在棉籽中的残留是安全的。     

Methylobacterium sp. YAL-2对乙酰甲胺磷的降解特性

从有机磷生产厂家的下水道污泥中分离出一株对高浓度和低浓度乙酰甲胺磷都具有高效降解能力的寡营养菌YAL-2,根据形态、生理生化和16S rRNA基因系统发育分析,将菌株YAL-2鉴定为Methylobacterium sp.降解特性实验表明,菌株YAL-2能利用乙酰甲胺磷为唯一碳源生长和降解;在添加了甲醇的无机盐培养基中,84 h可完全降解300mg L-1乙酰甲胺磷,24 h将50 mg L-1和10 mg L-1乙酰甲胺磷降至非检测水平;4 d能完全去除100 mg L-1甲胺磷,5 d分别降解58.4%和40.6%的100 mg L-1乐果、敌敌畏.小青菜农药残留去除实验显示,菌株YAL-2可在7 d内将乙酰甲胺磷和甲胺磷将至限量水平.结果表明,将菌株YAL-2应用于保证果蔬等食品的食用安全是可行的.     

水稻中氟虫双酰胺及其代谢产物的超高效液相色谱残留分析方法

采用超高效液相色谱法分析了氟虫双酰胺及其代谢产物在田水、土壤、稻秆、糙米和稻壳中的残留.水样以乙酸乙酯为萃取溶剂,液-液分配净化;土壤样品以丙酮为提取剂,液-液分配净化;水稻样品经乙腈提取,NH2-Carb柱净化.对水稻和环境中的氟虫双酰胺及其代谢产物进行不同水平的添加回收率实验,方法的回收率在78.2%—104.8%之间,相对标准偏差为1.1%—4.4%.氟虫双酰胺及其代谢产物的最小检出量在0.004—0.02 ng,其在稻田水中的最低检测浓度为0.0008—0.0009 mg.L-1,在土壤、稻秆、糙米、稻壳中的最低检测浓度为0.001—0.003 mg.kg-1.     

噻嗪酮在番茄和土壤中的残留分析

建立了一种固相萃取-反相高效液相色谱检测噻嗪酮在番茄和土壤中残留的方法.方法的添加回收率为79.8%-109.2%,变异系数为2.8%-7.0%.最小检出量为6×10-11g,最低检测浓度为0.01mg·kg-1.消解动态研究表明,噻嗪酮在番茄中的消解半衰期为3.27-3.83d,在土壤中的消解半衰期为10.57-12.91d.最终残留试验研究表明,在嚷嗪酮含量为432g(a.I.)-ha-1与216g(a.I.)·ha-1,施药2次和3次的情况下,噻嗪酮在番茄中的最终残留2d为0.076-0.237 mg·kg-1,3d为0.013-0.105mg·kg-1噻嗪酮在土壤中的最终残留2d为0.067-0.294mg·kg-1,3d为0.044-0.197mg·kg-1.