Effect of lower chlorinated hydroxylated-polychlorobiphenyls on development of PC12 cells

Hydroxylated polychlorobiphenyls (OH-PCBs) are major metabolites of PCBs that are widely distributed in the environment. While the effects of penta- to hepta-chlorinated OH-PCBs on neuronal differentiation have been widely reported, those of lower chlorinated OH-PCBs have not been extensively studied. To investigate the effects of lower chlorinated OH-PCBs on neuronal development, we studied the effects of mono- to hexa-chlorinated OH-PCBs on PC12 cells. Morphological changes were examined using an automatic system IN Cell Analyzer. Seventeen of the 20 OH-PCBs investigated promoted neuronal elongation in an OH-PCB concentration-dependent manner, while three OH-PCB congeners suppressed neuronal elongation based on Dunnett’s analysis. In particular, the top five OH-PCBs (4OH-PCB2, 4′OH-PCB3, 4′OH-PCB25, 4′OH-PCB68, and 4′OH-PCB159), which have hydroxyl groups at the para-position and chlorine substitutions at the 2, 4, or 3′ positions, significantly promoted neuronal elongation. Moreover, these neuronal elongations were suppressed by U0126, and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was observed in PC12 cells treated with 4OH-PCB2, 4′OH-PCB25, and 4′OH-PCB159. Taken together, our results indicate that the effect of OH-PCB on neuronal development is not dependent on the number of chlorine groups but on the chemical structure, and the mitogen-activated kinase kinase (MEK)-ERK1/2 signaling pathway is involved in this process.     

Land-use change and its socio-environmental impact in Eastern Ethiopia’s highland

The Alemaya district (Eastern Ethiopian highlands) is characterized by undulating physiographic features with arid, semi-arid, and humid climatic conditions. This study evaluated socio-environmental changes in land use and land cover during 1985–2011. Screen digitization on remotely sensed data (i.e., Landsat images from 1985 to 2011) was performed to produce 10 classes of land use and land cover. Then, final land-use maps were prepared using a geographic information system following field verification and accuracy assessment. The drying of water bodies, including the prominent lakes Alemaya, Adele, and Tinike, had been the most important environmental change observed. Degraded land, marsh, perennial cropland, and residential areas increased by 37, 438, 42, and 190 %, respectively, whereas grassland, plantation, shrubland, and temporal cropland decreased by 64, 11, 63, and 29 %, respectively. The increase in land degradation (+37 %), the other major observed problem, has made large areas unsuitable for agriculture and has reduced crop productivity. These land-use and land-cover changes have affected both the environment and the livelihoods of local residents; especially the issue related to land degradation requires urgent attention.     

Recycling of biodiesel fuel wastewater for use as a liquid fertilizer for hydroponics

Wastewater is discharged during washing processes in the production of biodiesel fuel (BDF) using alkaline catalysts. It can be recycled as a liquid fertilizer for hydroponics by adding essential components for plant growth. The effects of the liquid fertilizer on plant growth were investigated. Liquid fertilizer containing a smaller amount of the BDF wastewater had a similar effect on plant growth as the standard nutrient solutions. This result reveals that BDF wastewater can be recycled for use as a liquid fertilizer for hydroponics. However, fertilizer with a larger amount of the BDF wastewater showed poor and varied plant growth due to the growth of microorganisms in the contaminated wastewater. Hence, when BDF wastewater becomes contaminated during storage, sterilization is necessary to recycle it as a liquid fertilizer. Moreover, contamination during storage should be avoided for successful recycling.     

H and O isotopic differences in typhon and urban-induced heavy rain in Tokyo

Stable isotope ratios of hydrogen and oxygen of water are useful tracers of the hydrological cycle. For example, isotopes monitor the evapotranspiration in vegetated areas, local snow ice processes and stream water flow processes. δ¹⁸O and δD in rainwater reflect the processes of evaporation, condensation and precipitation. Heavy rains thus modify the stable isotope ratio of ground water, stream water and transpiration water vapor. However, the controlling factors of δ¹⁸O and δD are not clear. Here we analyzed the inorganic ion concentration and stable isotope ratio in 38 normal rainwater and 15 heavy rainwater samples were collected in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, during four years from October 2012 to December 2015. Results show a decrease in δ¹⁸O and δD values with the total rainfall amount, thus highlighting the amount effect. δ¹⁸O and δD volume-weighted mean values in typhoon heavy rain were higher than the values estimated from amount effect, whereas δ¹⁸O and δD volume-weighted mean values in urban-induced heavy rain were lower. Typhoon heavy rain has high Na⁺ ratio and stable isotope ratios, while urban-induced heavy rain has low Na⁺ ratio and stable isotope ratio.     

Effect of transition metal doping under reducing calcination atmosphere on photocatalytic property of TiO2 immobilized on SiO2 beads

TiO₂ immobilized on SiO₂ (TiO₂/SiO₂) have been prepared by sol-gel method and various ions of transition metals (Cr³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺) were doped on the photocatalyst using wet impregnation method under reducing calcination atmosphere. The photocatalytic activity of metal doped TiO₂/SiO₂ towards phenol degradation under black light irradiation were investigated and compared with undoped TiO₂/SiO₂. The results showed that the photoresponse of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ doped TiO₂/SiO₂ were larger than undoped TiO₂/SiO₂, indicating that the photogenerated carriers were separated more efficiently in Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ doped TiO₂/SiO₂. The reactivity was in the order of Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Cr³⁺ > Co²⁺. The different photoreactivity was ascribed to combine effect of the different ionic radii and photocorrison tendency of the dopants. The sample was also characterized by surface analytical methods such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron micrograph/electron dispersive X-ray analyzer and UV-Vis absorption spectrum.     

Optimization of compost fermentation of glycerol by-product discharged from biodiesel fuel production process

Development of a cheap system for reuse of glycerol by-product discharged from the biodiesel fuel (BDF) production process is needed in parallel with development of a low-cost BDF production system. In this article, optimization of compost fermentation of glycerol by-product was studied. The type and amount of additive nitrogen source was studied, and good utilization of glycerol was observed when 0.5 g of urea was added to a mixture of 625 g dry sawdust, 25 g of microbial seed, and 50 g of glycerol by-product. To achieve efficient compost fermentation, repeated batch fermentation was applied and five batch cultures were repeated. Although the pH level and nitrogen and water contents were maintained at suitable levels for microbial growth, the glycerol consumption rate gradually decreased with accumulation of oily compounds in the compost. Finally, a material cost evaluation of the compost fermentation proposed in this study was performed. The total material cost decreased to ￥0.57 /l of BDF when employing an existing compost system for the fermentation process, although sawdust used for mushroom cultivation was used in this study at the very high cost of ￥123 /kg dry sawdust. However, the cost of disposal of the glycerol byproduct as an industrial waste was ￥5.2 /l of BDF produced; therefore, there might be an economical advantage to compost fermentation of glycerol by-product from BDF production.     

Effect of different soil layers on porewater to remediate acidic surface environment at a close mine site

This paper describes the chemistry of porewater when constructing different soil layers on acidic weathered rock of a closed mine to remediate the surface environment. Three cases were set on a flat surface of the site, all under different layer systems. Case 1 was only composed of weathered rocks. A top neutralization layer was constructed on the weathered rocks in case 2, whereas both an upper low-permeable and middle neutralization layers were constructed on the weathered rocks in case 3. The low-permeable layer of 30?cm thick consists of clay, and the neutralization layer of 30?cm thick consists of the mixture of the weathered rock and calcium carbonate as a neutralizer. Porewater sampling systems and soil sensors to measure temperature, water content, and electrical conductivity were set at different depths. In case 1, steadily high concentrations of heavy metals were observed regardless of the depth, and the pH ranged from 2 to 4. In cases 2 and 3, a dramatic decrease in concentrations of heavy metals was observed, even below the neutralization layer. For both cases, pH values were circumneutral. There were no significant seasonable changes in heavy metals concentrations and pH of porewater by considering the temperature and precipitation. In addition, the water content of the layers in case 3 fluctuated more mildly than that in cases 1 and 2, indicating that the low-permeable layer reduced the rate of infiltration. Therefore, a significant reduction in the load of heavy metals released from the site can be achieved by both implementing neutralization and low-permeable layers.     

Phosmet residues in an orchard and adjacent recreational area 1

Abstract

Two cover sprays of phosmet were applied to an orchard adjoining a camping area and a bird sanctuary with a resident goose population. Insecticide residues were monitored on orchard leaves, orchard ground cover, ground cover in the camp‐site and along the adjacent lakeshore. Despite attempts to minimize drift, significant spray residues were found outside the target area. Residues on ground cover and leaves were reduced by sprinkler irrigation subsequent to spray application.     

Time series analysis for the estimation of tidal fluctuation effect on different aquifers in a small coastal area of Saijo plain, Ehime prefecture, Japan

Considering the current poor understanding of the seawater–freshwater (SW–FW) interaction pattern at dynamic hydro-geological boundary of coastal aquifers, this work strives to study tidal effect on groundwater quality using chemical tracers combined with environmental isotopes. In situ measurement data of electrical conductivity and groundwater level along with laboratory measurement data of hydro-chemical species were compared with tidal level data measured by Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department, Saijo City, Japan for time series analysis. Result shows that diurnal tides have significant effect on groundwater level as well as its chemical characteristics; however, the magnitude of effect is different in case of different aquifers. Various scatter diagrams were plotted in order to infer mechanisms responsible for water quality change with tidal phase, and results show that cations exchange, selective movement and local SW–FW mixing were likely to be the main processes responsible for water quality changes. It was also found that geological structure of the aquifers is the most important factor affecting the intensity of tidal effect on water quality.