Formation of polychlorinated biphenyls and chlorinated benzenes by heating of bis(2,4‐dichlorobenzoyl) peroxide

The formation of di‐, tri‐, and tetrachlorobenzenes, and di‐ to hexachlorobiphenyls was demonstrated after thermal degradation of bis(2,4‐dichlorobenzoyl) peroxide alone or in various solvents at 250 °C with yields of up to several percent. Possible radical reactions between solvents and the solute are suggested. PCB congeners are also present in silicone rubber crosslinked by this peroxide.     

Genotoxicity of chromium in vitro on yeast: Interaction with DNA†

The genotoxicity of chromium chloride was investigated in cells of D₇ strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae harvested either from logarithmic or stationary growth phase.

A weak induction of mifotic gene conversion and point reverse mutation was obtained when the incubations were performed using phosphate buffer. No genetic effect was observed when the incubations were performed using Tris‐HCl buffer.

The experiments with ⁵¹Cr radiotracer demonstrated that Cr³⁺ ion enters the yeast cells and binds to DNA even if the incubation mixture was performed with Tris HCl buffer. This behaviour could be due to the highest concentration of CrCl₃ that cause some damages to cytoplasmatic membrane.     

Comparison of sample digestion procedures for the determination of trace elements in antarctic krill by GF‐AAS

Two independent digestion procedures for Antarctic krill samples were compared. Dry ashing (DA) and microwave (MW) acid‐assisted digestion were tested for decomposing the samples to determine essential (Cu, Fe, Cr) and toxic elements (Cd, Pb) by graphite furnace‐atomic absorption spectrometry (GF‐AAS). A mixture of HNO₃ and H₂O₂ as digesting agent was used in the microwave procedure. For the dry ashing digestion, the organic matter was oxidated at 480°C in an open system. Both digestion methods were compared in terms of accuracy and applied to the analysis of a certified reference material: MURST‐ISS‐A2 (Antarctic krill).

The detection limits for the five elements analysed ranged from 3 to 150 ng g^‐1. Both digestion procedures are suitable for the decomposition of krill samples. However, dry ashing is not recommended to determine Pb and Cd because losses can occur.     

Comparison on bacterial community of rhizosphere and bulk soil of poplar plantation based on pyrosequencing北大核心CSCD

By the 454 pyrosequencing technology, this research compared the bacterial communities in poplar plantation rhizosphere and bulk soil for an accurate understanding of bacterial community colonization in the two soil environments. The species annotation showed that rhizosphere soil contained 145 bacterial genera and bulk soil contained 141 bacterial genera, with 8 common genera shared by both at a relative abundance of more than 4%. The 8 genera in common were Acidobacterium GP1, Acidobacterium GP3, Acidobacterium GP6, Gemmatimonas, Bradyrhizobium, Burkholderia, Streptomyces and Acidobacterium GP4. The relative abundance of the same bacterial community was significantly different between rhizosphere and bulk soil environments. Alpha diversity analysis showed that the bacterial community diversity of rhizosphere soil was higher than that of bulk soil, but the difference was not significant. The results of bacterial communities sorting could reflect the variation of soil bacterial communities from rhizosphere to the bulk and the spatial variation among different sampling points, indicating a contribution of about 21.2% variance of bacterial communities by the effect of rhizosphere. Beta diversity analysis showed great difference between rhizosphere and bulk soil samples in bacterial community composition. There were 15 genera specific to rhizosphere soil and 11 to bulk soil. The abundance of 23 genera, mainly cellulose degrading bacteria and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, changed significantly. Selectivity of root to rhizosphere microorganisms is an important mechanism leading to significant differences in the rhizosphere microbial community composition and structure, which may significantly impact the carbon and nitrogen cycles of the root-soil interface.     

Speciation studies on simulated gastro‐intestinal digests of foodstuffs†

The factors affecting the solubilisation of metals during digestion of food have been examined in a two‐stage model system comprising simulated gastric and intestinal juices. The solubilisation of iron, copper and zinc was examined in digests of white and wholemeal bread. Zinc solubility was principally governed by pH and the simulated digestion had little additional effect. In contrast both iron and copper solubility were markedly affected by digestion of the bread. In the case of copper the enzymolysis increased solubility appreciably at neutral pH. All of the cadmium in a simulated gastric digest of canned crab meat was associated with soluble low molecular weight species of less than 1000 daltons. Cadmium solubility resulted from the acidic conditions of the digest rather than enzymatic solubilisation of binding proteins. Ninety percent of the cadmium in the digest became rebound to the insoluble fraction on adjustment to pH7.0. Subsequent simulated intestinal digestion increased the level of soluble cadmium to 20%; 1.0–1.5% was associated with soluble species in the range 26,000–37,000 daltons and 15.0–20.0% with soluble species of less than 3,000 daltons.     

Effects of the Ellagic acid on the N‐Acetyltransferase activity and Acetylation of 2‐aminofluorene in the rat

The effects of the ellagic acid on the in vitro and in vivo acetylation of 2‐aminofluorene were investigated in male Sprague‐Dawley rats. For in vitro examination, cytosols with or without ellagic acid co‐treatment showed different percentage of 2‐aminofluorene acetylation. For in vivo examination, pre‐treatment of male rats with ellagic acid (10 mg/kg) 24h prior to the administration of 2‐aminofluorene (50 mg/kg) resulted in a 26% and 29%, respectively, decrease in the urinary and fecal recovery of N‐acetyl‐2‐aminofluorene, and a 37% decrease in the metabolic clearance of 2‐aminofluorene to N‐acetyl‐2‐aminofluorene. This is the first demonstration that ellagic acid decrease the N‐acetylation of carcinogens in vitro and in vivo.     

Geochemical fingerprints of “Prosecco” wine based on major and trace elements

The terroir can be defined as interactive ecosystem that includes climate, geology, soil and grapevine, and it is used to explain the hierarchy of high quality of wine. In order to understand the terroir functions, it is necessary to analyse the interactions among the geology, soil and wine. To define a geochemical fingerprint, the relationship between geochemistry of vineyard soil and chemical composition of wine from Veneto Italian Region was studied. The vineyards tested belonged to four distinct wineries located in the Veneto alluvial plain, included in the Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC) area of Prosecco. We investigated the relationship between major and trace elements in soil and their concentrations in Prosecco wine according to geographical origin. The detection of chemical composition in soil and wine were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and data were elaborated by nonparametric test and multivariate statistics Linear Discrimination Analysis. The geochemical and statistical analyses allowed to discriminate the vineyard soils according to geo-lithological characteristics of each area and to identify the geochemical “Prosecco” fingerprints, useful against fraudulent use of DOC wine labels.     

Recovery of seven kinds of cfc and cfc replacements on high‐surface area activated carbon

The adsorption isotherms, the constants of the Dubinin—Radushkevich plots, and the constants of the Langmuir plots of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and CFC replacements on high‐surface area activated carbon were investigated to estimate the recovery efficiency of CFC and CFC replacements. The adsorption and desorption of HFC134a on a high‐surface area activated carbon was much easier than that of CFC 113 and the CFC replacements. The recovery efficiency of CFC replacements depends on the hydrogen atoms in molecule. It is possible that the saturated amount adsorbed in the pores or on the surface of the activated carbon could be evaluated by the W_s constant of the the Langmuir equation and the W_o constant of the Dubinin‐Radushkevich equation. The a constant of the Langmuir equation and the BE_o constant of the Dubinin‐Radushkevich equation depend on the molecular composition.     

Synthesis,separation and structure determination of 2,3,3'‐trichlorobiphenyl (PCB 20)† and 3,3’,4‐trichlorobiphenyl (PCB35)†

The combined synthesis and spectrometric characterization of 2,3,3'‐trichlorobiphenyl (PCB 20) and 3,3’,4‐trichlorobiphenyl (PCB 35) is described for the first time. By a combination of highly efficient column distillation and repeated recrystallizations it was possible to isolate the two products as reference materials with a purity exceeding 99%. X‐ray analysis of crystals of 2,3,3'‐trichlorobiphenyl positively identified the substitution pattern of the biphenyl moiety by chlorine atoms. The two phenyl rings are at an angle of 52°, while the relative disposition of the chlorine atoms on both rings is closer to anti than to syn.     

Effects of cucl2 on UV‐mutagenesis and on DNA damage in a restriction fragment of E. Coli gpt∗

CuCl₂ does not cause Trp⁺ reversion in E. coli WP2. However, when the bacteria are exposed to CuCl₂ and UV‐irradiated, a greater than 3‐fold enhancement of mutagenesis (compared to UV alone) is seen at 30 μMCuCl₂, and significant enhancement is seen even at 3 μM. The mechanism for this comutagenic effect was studied using a restriction fragment of the E. coli gpt gene. Whereas UV or CuCl₂ alone caused few strand breaks, UV + CuCl₂ induced breaks at every site. This reaction was blocked by KI, a free radical scavenger. While UV alone induced alkali‐labile sites, UV+ CuCl₂ induced many more such sites and altered the sequence specificity. We suggest that at least some of the comutagenic effect might be due to hydroxyl radical formed via a Fenton reaction.     

Quantitative gap analysis for the West Coast of Florida based on experts’ opinion

The primary objective of this study was to identify gaps in coastal and marine data available through the Gulf Geospatial Assessment of Marine Ecosystems (GAME) project for the west coast of Florida. A survey was designed and sent to more than 2,000 experts working with coastal and ocean issues in the Gulf of Mexico to elicit their opinions. The survey asked the experts to rank 12 data categories and score the relevance of four qualifiers (spatial resolution, temporal resolution, age of data, and level of detail) using a discrete choice approach. The statistical interpretation of experts?? responses allowed assigning a relative value to each available data set, based upon their qualifiers. The results were then displayed in a Geographic Information System to visually show how the total value for all data categories or for a specific data category varies spatially and to identify data gaps. It was found that the total data set value is generally higher within Tampa Bay and along the coast. Areas with low total value show a lack of data sets that have qualifiers falling within the ideal range, as per experts?? opinions. The gap maps created for this project are useful to identify priority areas where money should be invested for future data collection.     

Photochemistry of halogenated benzene derivatives. part xii.∗ effects of sodium nitrite on the environmental phototransformation of bromoxynil (3,5‐dibromo‐4‐hydroxybenzonitrile) herbicide in water: The photoincorporation of nitrite ions into bromoxynil

Photoreactions of the herbicide bromoxynil (3,5‐dibromo‐4‐hydroxybenzonitrile) (1) were extensively studied in water containing various concentrations of sodium nitrite with radiation of wavelengths around 313 nm. In the absence of NaNO₂, the quantum yields for the photodecomposition of the herbicide I amounted to 0.054±0.005, while such data was in the range of 0.047 ±0.005 to 0.023 ±0.003 in the presence of 0.5 to 25.0 × 10^‐3 m of the inorganic salt. These quantum yield data for the phototransformation of 1 without and with the presence of sodium nitrite followed the Stern‐Volmer equation. The rates of the photolytic destruction of bromoxynil (1) in water were slower in the presence than in the absence of NaNO₂. For example, the irradiation of the 7.8 x 10^‐6M aqueous solution of 1 in the presence of 10 mM sodium nitrite gave rise to the production of three main photoproducts, viz., 3‐bromo‐4‐hydroxy‐5‐nitrobenzonitrile (2), 4‐hydroxy‐3‐nitrobenzonitrile (3), and an “unidentified photoproduct”; 4. In the case of this photoreaction of compound 1, the percentages of maximum concentration of the photoproducts 2, 3, and 4 were achieved after 14, 44.5, and 60‐min photolyses of 1, respectively; the starting material 1 completely disappeared after 60‐min photolysis. The photoproducts 2 and 3 were identified through the interpretation of the GC‐MS data. Both thhe mass and FT‐IR spectra of the product 4 indicated the possible presence of a COOH group in 4.     

Cross‐sectional epidemiological study on the lead burden of children and workers in Greece

Exposure of the general population to lead in the environment is mainly caused by motor traffic exhaust and by industrial pollution. The aim of the study in Greece was to assess lead exposure in children living in point source impacted areas (Lavrion and Aspropyrgos‐Eleusis) using the biological monitoring parameter “blood lead concentration”;.

In addition, workers of a lead smelter, a battery plant and an oil refinery were investigated in these areas at the same time.

Five hundred and thirty‐four children and 105 workers took part in this investigation.

The highest blood lead levels (mean: 24.16 μg/100ml; range: 10.40–60.49 μg/100 ml) were found in children living in a 500m‐area around the lead smelter at Lavrion. Blood lead decreases corresponded to the increasing distance from the emitter. Nevertheless the values of children living in a 1500 m distance to the smelter are significantly higher than those of children living next to other kinds of industrial lead sources.

The mean values of the children living in the two industrial towns were manifold higher than those of the control group.

The blood lead levels of the investigated workers did not exceed the German BAT‐value (Biologischer Arbeitsstoff‐Toleranzwert) of 70 μg/100ml.     

Effects of ellagic acid on arylamine N‐acetyltransferase activity in human colon tumor cells

The inhibition of arylamine N‐acetyltransferase (NAT) activity by ellagic acid was determined in a human colon tumor (adenocarcinoma) cell line. Two assay systems were performed, one with cellular cytosols (9000g supernatant), the other with intact colon tumor cell suspensions. The NAT activity in a human colon tumor cell line was inhibited by ellagic acid in a dose‐dependent manner in both types of examined systems: i.e. the greater the concentration of ellagic acid in the reaction, the greater the inhibition of NAT activities in both systems. The data also indicated that ellagic acid decreased the apparent K _m and V _max of NAT enzymes from human colon tumor cells in both the systems examined. This report is the first demonstration which showed ellagic acid affect human colon tumor cell NAT activity.     

Aquatic ecological health assessment of Shaying River Basin based on indices of physico-chemistry and aquatic organisms北大核心CSCD

With a variety of ecosystem services, river ecosystem plays an important role in the process of human society development. On the other hand, health condition of most aquatic ecosystems is seriously threatened by human activities. Restoring and maintaining a healthy ecosystem has already become a vital goal of river management. As a basis of river management, river health assessment is therefore particularly important. Based on indices of physics, chemistry and aquatic organisms, this research tried to establish a comprehensive evaluation system of aquatic ecological health suitable for the situation of Shaying River Basin. The system included 6 factors including riparian zone, river morphology, nutrients, oxygen balance, periphyton and benthic macroinvertebrates, which were defined into 19 indices reflecting the aquatic ecological health from different aspects. The assessment results indicated that the health condition of overall basin was normal, varying among different parts of the region, with Shahe River, Lihe River and Beiru River in the upper part sub-healthy, and Jialu River in the same part sub-sick. The middle region was generally in normal or sub-sick level; the health condition of the lower part was comparatively better due to a good condition. Within the indices, the nutrients and benthic macroinvertebrates were the major constraining factors to the health condition of Shaying River Basin for their poor health condition. The health conditions showed significant differences among the rivers (P < 0.01), with Jialu River being the worst. The result indicated that the aquatic ecological health of Shaying River Basin is affected by many factors, with urban and industrial sewage being the main ones, And that different protective measures should be employed for rivers of different conditions. The result can provide theoretical basis for the ecological restoration of Shaying River Basin and reasonable exploitation and conservation of the water resource of the whole Huaihe River Basin.     

Preconcentration of cadmium and copper ions on magnetic core–shell nanoparticles for determination by flame atomic absorption

Magnetic core–shell nanoparticles modified by (3-aminopropyl) trimethoxy silane were prepared and used as adsorbent for the extraction and preconcentration of cadmium and copper ions. The ions were desorbed with nitric acid followed by determination with flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The extraction conditions were investigated systematically. The method was applied for the determination of Cd(II) and Cu(II) ions in different water samples. The accuracy was also evaluated through analysis of certified reference material.     

Effect of fluoride content in drinking water in Tricity on its concentration in urine of pre‐school children

Fluorides were analysed in drinking water and in urine of pre‐school children from different districts of Tricity (Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot). Concentration of fluorides in urine was found to depend on their content in drinking water. The two years (1997–98) study was made for 15 preschool children populations; each numbering in 10–20 individuals. The fluorides were determined by flouroselective electrode potentiometry.     

Cross‐sectional epidemiological study on arsenic excretion in urine of children and workers in Greece

An investigation was undertaken to study the exposure of children in areas with different air pollution and of adults working in three different plants (lead processing, battery plant, oil refinery) using arsenic in urine as a biological parameter. The arsenic excretion of the children are in agreement with the air pollution in the investigated areas. The workers in the lead processing plant are found to have the highest urine excretion values of the three worker collectives. The mean excretion values is nearly ten times higher than that found in the normal population.