Assessment of reproductive toxicity of carbofuran and copper sulfate in male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study’s hypothesis is that carbofuran and copper sulfate have a synergistic harmful impact on the fertility of male Nile tilapia. Hence,...     

Dissolved organic matter from treated effluent of a major wastewater treatment plant: characterization and influence on copper toxicity

A combination of reverse osmosis (RO) concentration and DAX-8/XAD-4 resin adsorption techniques is used to isolate the various constituents of urban dissolved organic matter (DOM) from inorganic salts. Three fractions: hydrophobic (HPO), transphilic (TPI) and hydrophilic (HPI) accounting respectively for 35%, 20% and 45% of extracted carbon, are isolated from effluents of a major French wastewater treatment plant. This atypical DOC distribution, in comparison with natural water where the HPO fraction dominates, shows the significance of HPI fraction which often gets neglected because of extraction difficulties. A number of analytical techniques (elemental, spectroscopic: UV, FTIR) allow highlighting the weak aromaticity of wastewater effluent DOM (EfOM) due to fewer degradation and condensation processes and the strong presence of proteinaceous structures indicative of intense microbial activity. Copper toxicity in the presence of DOM is estimated using an acute toxicity test on Daphnia Magna (Strauss). Results reveal the similar protective role of each EfOM fraction compared to reference Suwannee river fulvic acid despite lower EfOM aromaticity (i.e. specific UV absorbance). The environmental implications of these results are discussed with respect to the development of site-specific water quality criteria.     

Evaluation of lipid peroxidation as a toxicity bioassay for plants exposed to copper

Agricultural soils may contain toxic levels of copper (Cu) due to sewage sludge spreading or industrial pollution but chemical analyses may not be representative of Cu bioavailability, defined as the soil Cu fraction that plants can actually absorb (i.e. Cu fraction which is not strongly adsorbed to soil components). Lipid peroxidation caused by Cu in plants was investigated as a relevant bioassay of toxicity. Seven-day-old rapeseed plantlets were grown on Cu-supplemented medium in controlled conditions. Lipid-peroxidation was assessed by measuring: (1) the 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA)-reactive substances; (2) the hydroperoxy acids by HPLC analysis; and (3) the alkane outputs by gas chromatography. We first verified the correlation between the results obtained by each method and then discussed their advantages and disadvantages within the context of a bioassay, showing that the volatile alkane output measurement is the most precise and easy to perform method for this purpose.     

Urban transformation of a metropolis and its environmental impacts

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to understand the sustainability of urban spatial transformation in the process of rapid urbanization, and calls for future research on the demographic and economic dimensions of climate change. Shanghai towards its transformation to a metropolis has experienced vast socioeconomic and ecological change and calls for future research on the impacts of demographic and economic dimensions on climate change. We look at the major questions (1) to explore economic and demographic growth, land use and land-cover changes in the context of rapid economic and city growth, and (2) to analyze how the demography and economic growth have been associated with the local air temperature and vegetation.

Method

We examine urban growth, land use and land-cover changes in the context of rapid economic development and urbanization. We assess the impact of urban expansion on local air temperature and vegetation. The analysis is based on time series data of land use, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and meteorological, demographic and economic data.

Results and discussion

The results indicate that urban growth has been driven by mass immigration; as a consequence of economic growth and urban expansion, a large amount of farmland has been converted to paved road and residential buildings. Furthermore, the difference between air temperature in urban and exurban areas has increased rapidly. The decrease of high mean annual NDVI has mainly occurred around the dense urban areas.     

Evaluation of effluent toxicity and ambient toxicity in a polluted lowland river

The impact of an industrial effluent containing high loads of calcium, cadmium, lead chloride and sulphate, on a river ecosystem was assessed using a combination of an effluent toxicity test, an ambient toxicity test and an ecological survey. Only this combination of techniques made it possible to discriminate between the effects of the discharge and those of the background pollution. Each of the individual techniques detected essential effects which the other failed to reveal. With the physical and chemical measurements, important increases of several components were measured at all sampling sites downstream of the discharge. With the ecological survey, however, no large changes in water quality could be determined at the sampling sites, due to the high degree of pollution present upstream of the discharge. Reproduction of Daphnia magna, exposed to sublethal effluent dilutions, was followed over two generations. The offspring of the first generation were shown to have an increased sensitivity to the effluent, compared to the first generation that was born from previously unexposed mothers. Besides the toxicity of the effluent, the acute and chronic toxicity of its main component, CaCl(2), was also determined. The results of the CaCl(2)-tests and toxicity data from literature for the suspected toxicants were transformed to Toxic Units (TU). Using the sum of the TUs we investigated the possibility of predicting effluent toxicity to Daphnia magna. Effluent toxicity was under-estimated by calculating the sum of the TUs of the individual components. Dilution of the effluent to a level at which the measured toxicant concentrations comply with European regulations still showed significant effects on Daphnia reproduction.     

Valuation of ecotoxicological impacts from tributyltin based on a quantitative environmental assessment framework

In the scientific literature, few valuations of biodiversity and ecosystem services following the impacts of toxicity are available, hampered by the lack of ecotoxicological documentation. Here, tributyltin is used to conduct a contingent valuation study as well as cost–benefit analysis (CBA) of measures for improving the environmental status in Swedish coastal waters of the Baltic Sea. Benefits considering different dimensions when assessing environmental status are highlighted and a quantitative environmental assessment framework based on available technology, ecological conditions, and economic valuation methodology is developed. Two scenarios are used in the valuation study: (a) achieving good environmental status by 2020 in accordance with EU legislation (USD 119 household⁻¹ year⁻¹) and (b) achieving visible improvements by 2100 due to natural degradation (USD 108 household⁻¹ year⁻¹) during 8 years. The later scenario was used to illustrate an application of the assessment framework. The CBA results indicate that both scenarios might generate a welfare improvement.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13280-015-0682-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Use,exposure, and environmental impacts of pesticides in Pakistan: a critical review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The excessive use of pesticides is posing major threats to humans and the environment. However, the environmental exposure and impact of pesticides in...     

Accumulation, subcellular distribution and toxicity of inorganic mercury and methylmercury in marine phytoplankton

We examined the accumulation, subcellular distribution, and toxicity of Hg(II) and MeHg in three marine phytoplankton (the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana, the green alga Chlorella autotrophica, and the flagellate Isochrysis galbana). For MeHg, the inter-species toxic difference could be best interpreted by the total cellular or intracellular accumulation. For Hg(II), both I.?galbana and T.?pseudonana exhibited similar sensitivity, but they each accumulated a different level of Hg(II). A higher percentage of Hg(II) was bound to the cellular debris fraction in T.?pseudonana than in I.?galbana, implying that the cellular debris may play an important role in Hg(II) detoxification. Furthermore, heat-stable proteins were a major binding pool for MeHg, while the cellular debris was an important binding pool for Hg(II). Elucidating the different subcellular fates of Hg(II) and MeHg may help us understand their toxicity in marine phytoplankton at the bottom of aquatic food chains.     

Potential for cascading impacts of environmental change and policy on indigenous culture

Global environmental and societal changes threaten the cultures of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLC). Despite the importance of IPLC worldviews and knowledge to sustaining human well-being and biodiversity, risks to these cultural resources are commonly neglected in environmental governance, in part because impacts can be indirect and therefore difficult to evaluate. Here, we investigate the connectivity of values associated with the relationship Ngātiwai (a New Zealand Māori tribe) have with their environment. We show that mapping the architecture of values-environment relationships enables assessment of how deep into culture the impacts of environmental change or policy can cascade. Our results detail how loss of access to key environmental elements could potentially have extensive direct and cascading impacts on the cultural values of Ngātiwai, including environmental responsibilities. Thus, considering only direct effects of environmental change or policy on cultural resources, or treating IPLC social-ecological relations simplistically, can severely underestimate threats to cultures.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13280-021-01670-3.     

CeO2 nanoparticle fate in environmental conditions and toxicity on a freshwater predator species: a microcosm study

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - We studied the fate and toxicity of two types of CeO2 NPs (bare or citrate-coated) in environmentally relevant conditions, using large indoor...     

The effect of copper ions on the lipid composition of subcellular membranes in Hydrilla verticillata

The paper studies changes in the content and composition of lipids in the membranes of chloroplasts, mitochondria and microsomes of the aquatic plant Hydrilla verticillata exposed to copper ions (100 μM; 1, 3, 6 and 24 h). The rate of copper accumulation and the coefficient of its extraction by the plant were also determined. The presence of copper in the incubation medium and its accumulation in the plant tissues decreased the content of photosynthetic pigments, stimulated lipid peroxidation and enhanced membrane permeability. The gradual accumulation of copper in the plant tissues was accompanied by specific changes in the composition of lipids: the content of sulfolipids (SQDG) in chloroplasts declined; the content of monogalactosyl diacylglycerols (MGDG), digalactosyl diacylglycerols (DGDG) and phosphatidyl glycerols (PG) in chloroplasts and mitochondria grew after an hour of copper exposure; and the content of all the lipids except phosphatidic acids (PA) decreased after 3 h of exposure. The decline in the content of phosphatidyl cholines (PC) was first observed in the membranes of microsomes (after an hour of exposure) and later in the membranes of chloroplasts and mitochondria (after 3-6 h of exposure). The experiments with incorporation of [2-¹⁴C]sodium acetate into fatty acids of polar lipids showed that in parallel with lipid destruction, there took place an intensive and specific renewal of the lipid pool of subcellular membrane fractions.     

北京和上海典型复合包装废物处置环境影响比较

采用生命周期评价法研究比较了北京和上海两地纸塑铝复合包装处置阶段的环境影响。通过现场和资料调研的方式获得此阶段的能量物质的输入输出和环境外排数据。结果表明:北京和上海两地纸塑铝复合包装处置阶段的环境影响潜值分别为-0.428 Pt和9.776 Pt,其主要集中在气候变化、土地占用和无机物对健康的损害三方面;每提高10%的回收率,其环境影响潜值北京和上海可分别降低5.446 Pt和5.799 Pt;上海地区纸塑铝复合包装处置阶段对环境的影响在任何同回收率的情况都要高于北京地区,其主要原因是上海地区填埋产生的温室气体释放量过大和再生企业距离打包点较远。     

Impact of a flood disaster on sediment toxicity in a major river system--the Elbe flood 2002 as a case study

The ecotoxicological implications of a flooding disaster were investigated with the exceptional Elbe flood in August 2002 as an example. Sediment samples were taken shortly after the flood at 37 sites. For toxicity assessment the midge Chironomus riparius (Insecta) and the mudsnail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gastropoda) were exposed to the sediment samples for 28 days. For a subset of 19 sampling sites, the contamination level and the biological response of both species were also recorded before the flood in 2000. The direct comparison of biological responses at identical sites revealed significant differences for samples taken before and immediately after the flood. After flood sediments of the river Elbe caused both higher emergence rates in the midge and higher numbers of embryos in the mudsnail. Contrary to expectations the toxicity of the sediments decreased after the flood, probably because of a dilution of toxic substances along the river Elbe and a reduction in bioavailability of pollutants as a result of increasing TOC values after the flood.     

Emerging environmental, health and safety issues in China: practical impacts on international investors

The Chinese government at the highest levels continues to stress the importance of environmental protection. The environmental consequences of rapid industrialisation and a burgeoning population are now unavoidable to citizens and government ministers alike. Among the major challenges for environmental protection and health and safety regulations in China are improving the transparency of government bodies and statistics, encouraging horizontal and vertical coordination on regulation and projects between and within ministries, ensuring economic viability of both municipal and commercial sector environmental protection projects, and enforcing ever-strengthening regulations. Government officials at all levels will no doubt feel pressure to advance new legislation while maintaining a high level of GDP growth, which invariably will place a priority on development and not on environmental, health and safety issues. Given the increasingly precarious economic conditions and ongoing reform of state-owned enterprises, it may be difficult for the Chinese government to follow through on high-minded efforts. This paper discusses the changing regulatory framework, likely enforcement inequities and implications for multinationals seeking to comply.     

Chronic toxicity of copper on embryo development in Chinese toad, Bufo gargarizans

This study examined the effects of copper exposure on embryonic development of Chinese toad, Bufo gargarizans. Firstly, the LC₅₀ values from 24 to 96 h of exposure were 3.61 × 10⁻⁶ M, by means of a 4 d toxicity test with B. gargarizans embryos. Secondly, Chinese toad embryos were exposed to 10⁻⁹-10⁻⁶ M copper from mid gastrula stage to operculum completion stage. Measurements included mortality, tadpole weight, tadpole total length, growth retardation, duration of different embryo stages and malformation. Embryonic survival was not affected by copper. Relative to control tadpoles, significantly decreased weight and total length were found at 10^-9-10^-6 M reduced percentage of the embryos in right operculum stage after 10 d exposure to copper and reduced percentage of embryos in operculum completion stage after 12 d exposure to copper were also observed. Moreover, the duration of embryonic development increased at neural, circulation and operculum development stage in copper-treated groups. For the scanning microscope and histological observation, the abnormalities were malformation of wavy dorsal fin, flexural tail, curvature body axis, yolk sac oedema and reduced pigmentation in the yolk sac. Histopathological changes in olfactory, retinal epithelium and skin were also observed. DNA strand breaks exposed to the copper were analyzed by DNA ladder. In conclusion, copper induced toxic effects on B. gargarizans embryos. The present study indicated chronic toxicity tests may provide more accurate way in formulating the “safe levels” of heavy metals to amphibian.     

The impacts of COVID-19 on the environmental sustainability: a perspective from the Southeast Asian region

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study examined the impacts of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the environment in the Southeast Asia region using qualitative content...     

Effect of pulse frequency and interval on the toxicity of chlorpyrifos to Daphnia magna.

Due to the episodic nature in which organisms are exposed to non-point source pollutants, it is necessary to understand how they are affected by pulsed concentrations of contaminants. This is essential, as standard toxicity tests may not adequately simulate exposure scenarios for short-lived hydrophobic compounds, such as chlorpyrifos (CPF), a broad-spectrum organophosphate insecticide. Studies were conducted with 7-day old Daphnia magna for 7 days to evaluate the effect of pulse frequency and interval among multiple CPF exposures. Daphnids were exposed to a total exposure of either 12 h at 0.5 microg/l or 6 h at 1.0 microg/l nominal CPF, respectively, in all studies. For interval studies, D. magna were exposed to two pulses of CPF at each concentration, with 0-96-h intervals between pulses. For frequency studies, D. magna were exposed to each CPF concentration altering the pulse scheme by decreasing the exposure duration but increasing the number of pulses, keeping the total exposure time the same. The pulse interval between multiple pulses in these experiments was 24 h. Our results suggest that D. magna can withstand an acutely lethal CPF exposure provided that there is adequate time for recovery between exposures.     

Types,sources, socioeconomic impacts,and control strategies of environmental noise: a review

Noise exposure has reached an alarming degree over the years because of rapid growth in the industry, transportation, and urbanization. Therefore, it is a dire need to provide awareness of the sources and mitigation strategies of noise, and to highlight the health, and socio-economic impacts of noise. A few research studies have documented this emerging issue; however, there is no comprehensive document describing all types of noise, their impacts on living organisms, and control strategies. This review article summarizes the sources of noise; their effects on industrial workers, citizens, and animals; and the value of property in noisy areas. The plethora of literature is showing an increased level of noise in various cities of the world, which have various health consequences such as high blood pressure, insomnia, nausea, heart attack, exhaustion, dizziness, headache, and triggered hearing loss. Apart from humans, noise also affects animal habitat, preying, and reproduction ability; increases heart rate and hearing loss to even death and loss in property value; and impairs the hospital environment. Finally, we have discussed the possible strategies to mitigate the noise problem, policy statements, and regulations to be followed, with future research directions based on the identified research gaps.

     

Influences of macroalga-derived dissolved organic carbon on the aquatic toxicity of copper and cadmium

In this study, the effect of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) derived from macroalga (Sargassum) on the acute toxicity of copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) to a freshwater cladoceran (Daphnia magna) was investigated. Potassium-loaded macroalga was incubated with ultrapure water to extract macroalgal DOC, which was then spiked with the constituents of the Elendt M7 hard water media. The 48 h median lethal concentration of Cu increased linearly with DOC levels but that of Cd was relatively independent of DOC levels (0-44 mg l(-1)). The independence of Cd toxicity on DOC level might be due to the competitive effect of high calcium concentrations in the media with Cd for the binding sites of DOC. The decreased Cu toxicity was a result of reduced Cu uptake as evidenced in a separate accumulation test. Also, the capability of the macroalgal DOC on reducing Cu toxicity was found to be comparable to DOC tested in other studies. Therefore, the present study suggested that the biosorption treatment process using macroalgae should consider the effect of DOC release from the biomass as a step of modifying the metal toxicity as well as influencing metal biosorption capacity.