Double trouble: health risks of accidental sewage release

Occupational health risks from long-term exposure to sewage are well documented [Am J. Ind. Med. 25 (1994) 59; Ann. Agric. Environ. Med. 81 (2001) 39; Am J. Ind. Med. 40 (2001) 170]. Some studies suggest an increase in the incidence of specific cancers [Am J. Ind. Med. 19 (1991) 75; J. Occup. Med. 36 (1994) 31]. There are also many reports of acute fatalities in confined spaces (sewage chambers and pipes) [H&S at Work 13 (1991), 10; FACE report: sewer worker dies when inflatable sewer plug bursts in Washington, DC, Performer, National Institute For Occupational Safety and Health, 19th July 1990]. In a residential area incidents of sudden sewage release can be regarded as double trouble because both the emergency service personnel and the local residents may be exposed to a galaxy of chemical and microbiological agents present in sewage. However, data on the effects of acute non-occupational exposure due to accidental sewage releases is still very limited. The incidents investigated here took place at two different locations in the southern part of the UK. In both incidents the symptoms experienced by those exposed were more serious than expected by the public health experts.     

Visible light driven mineralization of spiramycin over photostructured N-doped TiO2 on up conversion phosphors

A novel visible light-active photocatalyst formulation(NdT/OP) was obtained by supporting N-doped TiO_2(NdT) particles on up-conversion luminescent organic phosphors(OP). The photocatalytic activity of such catalysts was evaluated for the mineralization process of spiramycin in aqueous solution. The effect of NdT loading in the range 15–60 wt.% on bulk and surface characteristics of NdT/OP catalysts was investigated by several chemicophysical characterization techniques. The photocatalytic performance of NdT/OP catalysts in the removal of spyramicin from aqueous solution was assessed through photocatalytic tests under visible light irradiation. Total organic carbon(TOC) of aqueous solution,and CO and CO_2 gas concentrations evolved during the photodegradation were analyzed. A dramatic enhancement of photocatalytic activity of the photostructured visible active NdT/OP catalysts,compared to NdT catalyst,was observed. Only CO_2 was detected in gas-phase during visible light irradiation,proving that the photocatalytic process is effective in the mineralization of spiramycin,reaching very high values of TOC removal. The photocatalyst NdT/OP at 30 wt.% of NdT loading showed the highest photocatalytic activity(58%of TOC removed after 180 min irradiation against only 31% removal after 300 min of irradiation of NdT). We attribute this enhanced activity to the high effectiveness in the utilization of visible light through improved light harvesting and exploiting. OP particles act as "photoactive support",able to be excited by the external visible light irradiation,and reissue luminescence of wavelength suitable to promote NdT photomineralization activity.     

The long-term stability of calcium arsenates: Implications for phase transformation and arsenic mobilization

It is well known that calcium arsenates may not be a good choice for arsenic removal and immobilization in hydrometallurgical practices. However, they are still produced at some plants in the world due to various reasons. Furthermore, calcium arsenates can also naturally precipitate under some specific environments. However, the transformation process of poorly crystalline calcium arsenates (PCCA) and the stability of these samples under atmospheric CO₂ are not yet well understood. This work investigated the transformation process of PCCA produced by using different neutralization reagents (CaO vs. NaOH) with various Ca/As molar ratios at pH?7–12 in the presence of atmospheric CO₂. After aging at room temperature for a period of time, for samples neutralized with NaOH and precipitated at pH?10 and 12, release of arsenic back into the liquid phase occurred. In contrast, for the samples precipitated at pH?8, the aqueous concentration of arsenic was observed to decrease. XRD, Raman, and SEM results suggested that the formation of various types of crystalline calcium carbonates and/or calcium arsenates controls the arsenic behavior. Moreover, the application of lime may enhance the stability of the generated PCCA. However, no matter what neutralization reagent is used, the stability of the generated PCCA is still of concern.     

Modeling population effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on a long-lived species

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill exposed common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Barataria Bay, Louisiana to heavy oiling that caused increased mortality and chronic disease and impaired reproduction in surviving dolphins. We conducted photographic surveys and veterinary assessments in the decade following the spill. We assigned a prognostic score (good, fair, guarded, poor, or grave) for each dolphin to provide a single integrated indicator of overall health, and we examined temporal trends in prognostic scores. We used expert elicitation to quantify the implications of trends for the proportion of the dolphins that would recover within their lifetime. We integrated expert elicitation, along with other new information, in a population dynamics model to predict the effects of observed health trends on demography. We compared the resulting population trajectory with that predicted under baseline (no spill) conditions. Disease conditions persisted and have recently worsened in dolphins that were presumably exposed to DWH oil: 78% of those assessed in 2018 had a guarded, poor, or grave prognosis. Dolphins born after the spill were in better health. We estimated that the population declined by 45% (95% CI 14–74) relative to baseline and will take 35 years (95% CI 18–67) to recover to 95% of baseline numbers. The sum of annual differences between baseline and injured population sizes (i.e., the lost cetacean years) was 30,993 (95% CI 6607–94,148). The population is currently at a minimum point in its recovery trajectory and is vulnerable to emerging threats, including planned ecosystem restoration efforts that are likely to be detrimental to the dolphins’ survival. Our modeling framework demonstrates an approach for integrating different sources and types of data, highlights the utility of expert elicitation for indeterminable input parameters, and emphasizes the importance of considering and monitoring long-term health of long-lived species subject to environmental disasters. Article impact statement: Oil spills can have long-term consequences for the health of long-lived species; thus, effective restoration and monitoring are needed.     

Physiological and biochemical characteristic of Miscanthus × giganteus grown in heavy metal – oil sludge co-contaminated soil

The effect of oil sludge and zinc, present in soil both separately and as a mixture on the physiological and biochemical parameters of Miscanthus × giganteus plant was examined in a pot experiment. The opposite effect of pollutants on the accumulation of plant biomass was established: in comparison with uncontaminated control the oil sludge increased, and Zn reduced the root and shoot biomass. Oil sludge had an inhibitory effect on the plant photosynthetic apparatus, which intensified in the presence of Zn. The specific antioxidant response of M. × giganteus to the presence of both pollutants was a marked increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase (mostly owing to oil sludge) and glutathione-S-transferase (mostly owing to zinc) in the shoots. The participation of glutathione-S-transferase in the detoxification of both the organic and the inorganic pollutants was assumed. Zn inhibited the activity of laccase-like oxidase, whereas oil sludge promoted laccase and ascorbate oxidase activities. This finding suggests that these enzymes play a part in the oxidative detoxification of the organic pollutаnt. With both pollutants used jointly, Zn accumulation in the roots increased 6-fold, leading to increase in the efficiency of soil clean-up from the metal. In turn, Zn did not significantly affect the soil clean-up from oil sludge. This study shows for the first time the effect of co-contamination of soil with oil sludge and Zn on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of the bioenergetic plant M. × giganteus. The data obtained are important for understanding the mechanisms of phytoremediation with this plant.     

Seasonal peculiarities of PCDD/Fs levels in bank voles inhabiting sites in the vicinity of the landfill with municipal wastes (Moscow,Russia)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Differences in PCDD/Fs concentrations were registered among adult bank voles (Myodes glareolus) inhabiting forest in the vicinity of the Landfill...