Re-construction of the shut-down PM10 monitoring stations for the reliable assessment of PM10 in Berlin using fuzzy modelling and data transformation

A dense monitoring network is vital for the reliable assessment of PM10 in different parts of an urban area. In this study, a new idea is employed for the re-construction of the 20 shut-down PM10 monitoring stations of Berlin. It endeavours to find the non-linear relationship between the hourly PM10 concentration of both the still operating and the shut-down PM10 monitoring stations by using a fuzzy modelling technique, called modified active learning method (MALM). In addition, the simulations were performed by using not only raw PM10 databases but also log-transformed PM10 databases for skewness reduction. According to the results of hourly PM10 simulation (root mean square error about 13.0 μg/m³, correlation coefficient 0.88), the shut-down stations have been appropriately simulated and the idea of dense monitoring network development by the re-construction of the shut-down stations was realised. The results of simulations using raw and log-transformed databases showed that data transformation has no significant effect on the performance of MALM in the simulation of shut-down PM10 stations. By the combination of the 11 still operating stations and the 20 re-constructed stations, a dense monitoring network was generated for Berlin and was utilised for the calculation of the reliable monthly and mean annual PM10 concentration for five different PM10 zones in Berlin (the suburban-background, urban-background, urban-traffic, rural-background and suburban-traffic areas). The results showed that the mean annual concentration of PM10 at the five zones increased by about 13.0% in 2014 (26.3 μg/m³) in comparison with 2013 (23.3 μg/m³). Furthermore, the mean annual concentration of PM10 in the traffic lanes of the suburban (2013 25.0 μg/m³, 2014 26.9 μg/m³) and urban (2013 27.7 μg/m³, 2014 31.3 μg/m³) areas is about 14 and 20% higher than the PM10 concentration of suburban-background (2013 21.3 μg/m³, 2014 24.5 μg/m³) and urban-background (2013 23.0 μg/m³, 2014 26.1 μg/m³) areas, respectively.     

Air quality assessment in Southern Kuwait using diffusive passive samplers

Measurements of fortnightly average concentrations of NO, NO₂, SO₂, H₂S, NH₃, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (aromatics = benzene, toluene, o-xylene, m + p-xylene, ethyl benzene; non-aromatics = nonane and octane) were carried out in the period from 26/10/05 to 24/11/05 at 20 points in the southern part of Kuwait as part of a baseline environmental impact assessment study requested by Kuwait National Petroleum Company. Two waves of triplicate diffusive passive samplers were used. A high volume air sampler was used to measure PM₁₀ too. During the sampling period, the wind was observed to be mainly from the west and northwest with an average of 4.28 m/s. The consistency of the results allowed the production of spatial distribution maps of the pollutants measured and consequently the comparison between levels of air pollution at different locations. A comparison between the measured concentrations and the applicable air quality standards promulgated by Kuwait Environment Public Authority (KEPA) showed that those compounds had low concentrations compared to both industrial and residential KEPA standards. For other compounds which are not covered by KEPA standards, the results were compared with relevant limits of US Environment Protect Agency (USEPA) and US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The comparison showed that the measured compounds had low concentrations compared to the existing standards and, accordingly, no violation of air quality standards is reported.     

Biogenic synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Satureja rechingeri Jamzad: a potential anticancer agent against cisplatin-resistant A2780CP ovarian cancer cells

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Drug resistance of cancer cells is a major issue in cancer treatment. Plant-mediated nanoparticle synthesis has been applied in recent years to...     

Effect of Agave attenuata extracts on detoxification enzymes of Biomphlaria alexandrina

The toxicity and rising costs of synthetic molluscicides have led to interest in compounds derived from locally growing plants that can be used as molluscicides. The aim of the present work was to study the effect of extracts of some Egyptian plants having lethal effect on snails of medical importance (Biomphlaria alexandrina) as well as on antioxidant and glutathione detoxification enzymes. Ethanolic extracts of locally growing plants Agave attenuata, Agave sislana, Phytolaca dodecandra and Euphorbia spllendens were applied as a contact poison to B. alexandrina, the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni. The LC₅₀ of A. attenuata, A. sislana, P. dodecandra and E. spllendens are 82, 101, 98 and 98 mg/L, respectively. Glutathione and the enzymes involved in protection of the snail from reactive oxygen species namely, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, catalase, gamma glutamyl transferase increased in the survival snails exposed to high concentrations of A. attenuata. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase indirectly affecting glutathione reductase and the oxidation, reduction of glutathione significantly decreased in snails exposed to A. attenuata extracts. Superoxide dismutase level tend to decrease in snails exposed to A. attenuata of action. In conclusion A. attenuata is preferable when compared with synthetic molluscicides. The enzymes involved directly or indirectly in protection mechanism of the snail against A. attenuata are mainly responsible for snails survival.     

Multiplex-PCR and PCR-RFLP assays to monitor water quality against pathogenic bacteria

In this work we developed and optimized two molecular-based approaches to monitor rapidly, sensitively and specifically bacterial pathogens from three different genera, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella spp., directly in waters. To achieve this aim, firstly a multiplex-PCR assay (M-PCR) was optimized using a primer pair specific for each pathogen. Secondly, as a molecular confirmatory test after isolation of the pathogens by classical microbiological methods, PCR-RFLP of their amplified 16S rDNA genes was performed. It was observed from the results that the developed M-PCR assay has significant impact on the ability to detect sensitively, rapidly and specifically the three pathogens directly in water within a short time (5 h from sampling to obtain final results), therefore it represents a considerable advancement over other known more time-consuming and less-sensitive methods for identification and characterization of these kinds of pathogens.     

Influence of different levels of dissolved oxygen on the success of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) egg hatching and embryonic development

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of different levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) on embryonic development (ED) and hatching success of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) eggs. Fertilized eggs from six females were exposed to five DO levels: severely hypoxic (10 and 20?%sat [percent saturation]), moderately hypoxic (35 and 50?%sat), and normoxic (100?%sat). Greenland halibut eggs were highly tolerant to hypoxia, with hatching occurring at levels as low as 20?%sat. In severely hypoxic conditions (10?%sat), ED was impaired and no hatching occurred. Lipid composition, during ED, changed as a function of female origin and DO levels. Phospholipids were the dominant lipid class in eggs. Although triacylglycerols were a minor lipid class in terms of abundance, they were only used under severe hypoxia. The results suggest that severe hypoxia (between 10 and 20?%sat) has detrimental effect on the early development of Greenland halibut and may result in reduced recruitment and lower population abundance if the decreasing trend in the DO levels observed in the bottom waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence continues in the future. Other species that share similar life histories may also be at risk.     

Conceptual framework for evaluation of ecotourism carrying capacity for sustainable development of Karkheh protected area,Iran

The maintenance of natural and virgin ecosystems against an unnecessary influx of humans requires a modern and efficient model such as the carrying capacity model to optimize the management and development of ecotourism in these areas. The model is one of the key tools for conservation and sustainability of these areas. The present research attempts to formulate a framework for the ecotourism carrying capacity model for sustainable development of Karkheh protected area in Iran. The information was collected using a citation method as well as, interviews with experts, and visitors, and director of the region with 24 key indicators being regulated by field surveys and library studies. In this study, the network analysis process model, the Pressure-State-Response conceptual model, and Arc GIS_10.5 software were used to determine the potential for the establishment of ecotourism performance in the scale of 1: 50,000. In this research, 70 questionnaires were completed by experts in the field of environment and ecotourism to determine the relative importance of effective pressures. According to the results, the highest values belonged to physical carrying capacity (13,425,681 persons per day), ecological carrying capacity (2,482,226 persons per day), and social and culture (985,706 people per day), respectively. Based on the regional carrying capacity, the physical, ecological, and social carrying capacity index was calculated as 3356, 621, and 246 (greater than one), respectively. According to the results, the region has a high carrying capacity, which can accept visitors.     

Heavy and toxic metals in staple foodstuffs and agriproduct from contaminated soils

This article presents basic data on the content of Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sb, Hg, and Pb in staple foodstuffs and agriproduct grown in Russia (Astrakhan region and the town of Belovo) and Egypt (Helwan region). The dependence of the concentration of metals in agriproducts on the content and chemical form of existence in irrigation water and soils is indicated.     

Ingestion and egestion of microplastic by aquatic insects in Egypt wastewater

Microplastics (MPs) are frequently regarded as environmental and biota contaminants. Yet, research on the accumulation of MPs in living entities, particularly aquatic insects that serve as food resources in the aquatic food chain, is limited. This study to investigate the accumulation of MPs in aquatic insects from water and sediment in an Egyptian wastewater basin. Four typical freshwater insect groups were used. The highest MP load per gram wet weight was reported by collector-gatherers (Chironomus sp. and Hydrophilus sp.), followed by collector-filterers (Culex sp.) with the second highest MP load. However, Predators (Aeshna sp.) had the lowest values. Also, the present results showed a reduction in the number of MPs in all insect taxa tested after a 24 h depuration time, with differences in the observed egestion ability. The mean number of MPs per individual significantly reduced after 24 h in both Chironomus sp. and Culex sp. larvae, where 53% and 40% of MPs particles were ejected from them, respectively. However, the ability of MP egestion decreases in Aeshna sp. nymph (25%), and the lowest proportion of ejection was observed in Hydrophilus sp. adults (9%). Polyethylene terephthalate fibers were the most abundant type of MP in both sediment and water, followed by fragments (polyethylene and polypropylene). Yet, only polyester fibers were detected in the various insect species. The average length of fibers in the various insects was somewhat shorter than in the surrounding environment. The current study reveals that MP ingestion by aquatic insects is not always related to levels of pollution in the environment, since other factors such as feeding strategies may play a role in MP ingestion. Based on these observations, further studies should be carried out on studies on toxicological impacts of MPs on freshwater/aquatic biota.     

Degradation of methyl-phenanthrene isomers during bioremediation of soil contaminated by residual fuel oil

Phenanthrene and methyl-phenanthrenes are major aromatic pollutants originating in particular from fuel oil. Phenanthrene is usually degraded faster than methyl-phenanthrenes under geological and environmental conditions. Here, we report a preferential and accelerated biodegradation of methyl-phenanthrenes versus phenanthrene in soil contaminated by fuel oil. The polluted soil was mixed with sawdust and sand to form a homogenized biopile. The biopile was continuously sprayed with microbial consortia isolated from crude oil?Ccontaminated soil and treated by biosurfactants and nutritive substances for biostimulation. During a 6-month bioremediation experiment, a steady increase in the relative abundance of phenanthrene compared to methyl-phenathrenes was observed by gas chromatography?Cmass spectrometry. The increase was the highest for trimethyl-phenanthrenes, with a phenanthrene/trimethyl-phenanthrenes ratio increasing from 0.42 to 2.45. By contrast, the control, non-stimulated samples showed a ratio decrease from 0.85 to 0.11. Moreover, the results showed that the level of degradability depends on the number of methyl groups.