Tracing the influence of sewage nitrogen in a coastal ecosystem using stable nitrogen isotopes

This paper reviews the use of stable nitrogen isotopes (delta15N) to delineate the influence of sewage nitrogen (N) in coastal ecosystems, drawing extensively on the case of Himmerfj?rden, a Baltic Sea bay that receives 15N-enriched tertiary treated sewage that is discharged mainly as dissolved inorganic N (DIN). Gradients of delta15N in macroalgae (Fucus vesiculosus) and surface sediments traced sewage-derived N to 24 km from the outfall but elevated delta15N values (> 7 per thousand) indicated that the sewage influence was most pronounced within 10 km. Comparison of macroalgal delta15N values before and after enhanced tertiary treatment showed a decrease in the spatial impact of sewage N from about 24 km to 12 km from the outfall and a decrease to more marine delta15N values in more recent growth tissues. Sedimentary delta15N records showed that sewage has had a dominant influence on organic matter production in the bay with dramatic increases in sedimentary delta15N during the years of maximum sewage N loads. In cases where sewage N introduces a distinct isotopic signature into a system and where it has had a dominant influence on organic matter production, delta15N values in biota and sediments can be used to trace the spatial and temporal influence of sewage N in aquatic ecosystems.     

利用稳定氮同位素跟踪污水氮对沿海生态系统的影响

本文评价了稳定氮同位素(δ15N)用于阐述污水氮对沿海生态系统的影响,重点描述波罗的海希默兰湾个案的情况,该海湾接纳主要以溶解的无机氮(DIN)形式排泄的富含15N的三级处理过的污水.巨藻(Fucus vesiculosus)和表层沉积物的δ15N梯度变化曲线示踪到距排泄口24km污水衍生氮的情况.但是高δ15N值(＞7‰)说明污水在10km的范围内影响最大.强化的三级处理前后巨藻δ15N值的比较研究表明,从距排泄口约24km到12km范围内污水氮的空间影响是减弱的,而且对于最近生长的组织中的较高的海洋δ15N值来说也是下降的.沉积物中δ15N的记载表明,在污水氮含量最大的年份里随着沉积物中δ15N的急剧增加污水对该湾有机物的生产已造成重大的影响.当污水氮将明显的同位素特征引入系统时以及当它对有机物质的生产已产生主导影响时,生物群和沉积物中的δ15N值可用来跟踪污水氮在水生生态系统中的时空影响.     

Proteomic analysis of chromate-induced modifications in Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

In this work, we have analyzed the changes in the protein expression profile elicited by chromium (Cr) exposure in the freshwater green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, a well known bio-indicator of water pollution. We tested two experimental conditions, namely 0.2 and 1 ppm of potassium dichromate; this concentration range includes the environmentally-relevant concentrations. Results show that neither concentration of potassium dichromate tested inhibited algal growth. However, the proteomic approach allowed the identification of relevant modifications in protein expression. In fact, among 800 protein spots detected by two-dimensional electrophoresis, 16 Cr-regulated proteins, including predicted and novel ones, were identified using tandem mass spectromic protein analysis.The results demonstrate a Cr-specific action in altering several photosynthetic proteins, such as ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), RuBisCO activase, Light Harvesting Chla/b protein complex, and stress related Chla/b binding protein1. Although Cr toxicity with respect to photosynthesis has been already documented, here we have identified, for the first time, the target proteins of this toxicity. Cr also induced a modulation of some proteins involved in the metabolism of the amino acids glutamine, arginine and methionine. These data are supported by changes in cellular polyamine (PA) accumulation. Present findings provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying Cr toxicity in P. subcapitata.     

Life cycle inventory of recycled aggregates derived from construction and demolition waste

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - This study is performed to identify environmental aspects that can be improved during the derivation of recycled aggregates (RAs) from construction...