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.     

Charge‐transfer chromatographic study of the interaction of commercial pesticides with hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin

The interaction between 33 commercial pesticides with hydroxypropyI‐β‐cyclodextrin (HPBCD) was studied by charge‐transfer reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography using aqueous sodium chloride solutions as eluents. Each pesticide interacted with HPBCD, their lipophilicity linearly decreased with increasing HPBCD concentration, the pesticide ‐ HPBCD complex (probably inclusion complex) always being more hydrophilic than the uncomplexed pesticide. In many cases the retention of pesticide increased with increasing concentration of salt in the eluent. This effect can be tentatively explained by the suppression of the dissociation of the polar groups in the solute molecules resulting in increased apparent lipophilicity. No significant correlation was found between lipophilicity and complex stability or between salting‐out effect and lipophilicity, that is other than hydrophobic forces are involved in the pesticide ‐ HPBCD interaction.     

Ground water pollution by pesticides at the watershed‐soil catena scale: Lindane at the lower Colorado river basin (Argentina)

The movement of Lindane from application points at the surface soil towards the underground water and further transport within this compartment at the watershed‐soil catena scale, was inspected by measurements of the pesticide concentration in soil water at a controlled experiment where it was applied at a usual label dose. The concentrations of Lindane in soil water and the upper phreatic level were also measured at successive dates in samples obtained from a net of phreatimeter probes distributed over the area (1,500 km²) of the lower Colorado River basin (Bs. Aires, Argentina). The location of cultivated‐irrigated areas within the watershed was inferred from NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index)‐1 km‐10 day AVHRR images obtained at successive dates during the irrigation season. Feasible paths of underground gravitational water flows were computed by means of a GIS‐simulation model on the basis of local terrain slopes and aspects. The pattern of Lindane distribution over the basin was explained on the basis of the distribution of diffuse sources, the patterns of percolation and groundwater flows and the thermodynamic characteristics of the pesticide.     

Simulations of the flow in the Mahakam river–lake–delta system,Indonesia

Large rivers often present a river–lake–delta system, with a wide range of temporal and spatial scales of the flow due to the combined effects of human activities and various natural factors, e.g., river discharge, tides, climatic variability, droughts, floods. Numerical models that allow for simulating the flow in these river–lake–delta systems are essential to study them and predict their evolution under the impact of various forcings. This is because they provide information that cannot be easily measured with sufficient temporal and spatial detail. In this study, we combine one-dimensional sectional-averaged (1D) and two-dimensional depth-averaged (2D) models, in the framework of the finite element model SLIM, to simulate the flow in the Mahakam river–lake–delta system (Indonesia). The 1D model representing the Mahakam River and four tributaries is coupled to the 2D unstructured mesh model implemented on the Mahakam Delta, the adjacent Makassar Strait, and three lakes in the central part of the river catchment. Using observations of water elevation at five stations, the bottom friction for river and tributaries, lakes, delta, and adjacent coastal zone is calibrated. Next, the model is validated using another period of observations of water elevation, flow velocity, and water discharge at various stations. Several criteria are implemented to assess the quality of the simulations, and a good agreement between simulations and observations is achieved in both calibration and validation stages. Different aspects of the flow, i.e., the division of water at two bifurcations in the delta, the effects of the lakes on the flow in the lower part of the system, the area of tidal propagation, are also quantified and discussed.     

Metal binding capacity of soft acid,organic‐rich waters

Organic carbon from one stream and two ponds in South Carolina was fractionated into five nominal molecular diameter fractions by ultrafiltration. The concentrations associated with and binding capacity for Ca, Cd, Cu and Pb were determined for each fraction. The distribution of organic carbon among ultrafilter fractions varied from water to water, with the largest percentage occurring in the smaller fractions. Calcium was associated with each of the fractions isolated from each of the three waters, indicating Ca is bound to organics in all fractions, however, more than 99% of the Ca which passed the smallest ultrafilter was removed by cationic exchange resin. Each fraction bound more Ca than Cd, Cu or Pb except in a few cases where Pb binding was greater. All of the organic fractions had their Ca++ binding sites saturated. Calcium was not an effective competitive ion against Cd, Cu or Pb for organic binding sites. The total Cu binding capacity was less than that of Ca or Pb but similar to that of Cd. Naturally occurring organics bound more Pb than Cd or Cu but less than Ca. Saturation of Cu binding sites was less than 20% in most ultrafilter fractions except that with a nominal molecular weight of between 10,000 and 300,000 where the percent of saturation was as much as 60%. Approximately 50% of the Cu was removed onto anionic exchange resin in two waters while more than 90% was removed from water with a high organic content. Percent saturation of Cd and Pb binding sites ranged from 0.091% to 5.4% and 0.059% to 1.5%, respectively. All ions tested effectively competed with Cd, Cu or Pb for some but not all binding sites, indicating that organic binding sites were heterogeneous. A generalized order of metal‐organic stabilities based on competition for binding sites is Al>Cd>Pb>Cu>Ni = Mg=Zn = Mn>Ca. Both Cd+2 and Al+3 effectively out competed Pb++ and Cd and Pb out competed Cu for most organic binding sites.     

Photodegradation of pesticides .1. Photolysis rates and half‐life of acylanilides and their major metabolites in water

The photolysis in water solution of three fungicides (Metalaxyl, Benalaxyl, and Furalaxyl) was studied under artificial light. At λ = 254 Benalaxyl and Furalaxyl underwent fast degradation with rearrangement reactions less complex than those of Metalaxyl. Under A = 254–290 the photolysis was very fast and Benalaxyl and Furalaxyl show a common behaviour. This was found to be a kinetic consecutive process leading, at first, to N‐2,6‐xylyl‐D,L‐alaninate (II), which was degraded to 2,6‐dimethylaniline (IV). This amine gives unknown products. Metalaxyl underwent a parallel/consecutive photodegradtion to give (II) and N‐(methoxyacetyl)‐2,6‐dimethylaniline (VI). While (II) was easily converted to (IV) as earlier, (VI) was more stable to photolysis. Under λ > 290 all the fungicides shown very slow degradation with pseudo first order rate constants. The photoproducts were degraded faster than the parent compounds by factors from 13 to 1800. The presence of photosensitizer in water (humic acids or acetone) resulted in total decomposition of fungicides and of their photoproducts.     

Analytical studies on the pollution of argeş river

Using two analytical techniques (ICP‐AES and ASV) the heavy metal pollution of Arge? River was studied. These techniques are characterized by similar analytical performances.

The samples were collected from 13 sites starting from Capra Lake (altitude 2241 m) and finishing at Oltenita city (altitude 10 m).

Arge? River is the fifth longest river in Romania after Siret, Mure?, Olt and Some?, its length is 340 km and the river flows through four cities, Curtea de Arge?, Pite?ti, Gae?ti and Oltenita.

The results of the determinations of Cu, Cd, Zn and Pb, indicate that the Arge? River shows relatively low pollution.     

Study on polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and dibenzofurans in rivers and estuaries in Osaka Bay in Japan

In order to search the source of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in blue mussel in Osaka bay, sediments from Osaka bay and from rivers running near an urban municipal incinerator were analysed for PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs. The river and estuary sediments were all found to be contaminated with PCDDs at average levels of 9.8 and 12ppb on the dry basis, PCDFs of 7.8 and 5.1 ppb, and PCBs of 1600 and 1300ppb, respectively. The two sediments contained similar profiles of specific isomers and congeners of PCDDs and PCDFs with each other. In addition, there was observed positive close correlations between PCDD and PCDF levels in the two specimens as well as fly ash from urban municipal incinerators. These allow the conclusion that the main source of the two chemicals in Osaka bay is fly ash from waste incineration.     

Transport of butyltins at the water‐air interface and the adsorptive behavior of tributyltin in the surface microlayer

The transfer dynamics and enrichment phenomena of monobutyltin chloride(MBT), dibutyltin chloride(DBT) and tributyltin chloride(TBT) at the water‐surface microlayer (SM) interface were studied. The transport processes of the three compounds at the interface are very fast in the estuarine environment. The mass transfer coefficients are 1.54 m/h for MBT, 2.16 m/h for DBT, 1.56 m/h for TBT. The effect of various factors, including pH, salinity, suspended particulate and temperature, on the adsorptive behavior of TBT in the water's surface microlayer was also studied.     

Levels and distributions of organochlorine pesticides in the soil–groundwater system of vegetable planting area in Tianjin City,Northern China

To study the influence of long-term pesticide application on the distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the soil–groundwater system, 19 soil samples and 19 groundwater samples were collected from agricultural area with long-term pesticide application history in Northern China. Results showed that the composition of OCPs changed significantly from soil to groundwater. For example, ∑DDT, ∑HCH, and ∑heptachlor had high levels in the soil and low levels in the groundwater; in contrast, endrin had low level in the soil and high level in the groundwater. Further study showed that OCP distribution in the soil was significantly influenced by its residue time, soil organic carbon level, and small soil particle contents (i.d. <0.0002 mm). Correlation analysis also indicates that the distribution of OCPs in the groundwater was closely related to the levels of OCPs in the soil layer, which may act as a pollution source.     

The use of the embryo‐culture techniques in the research on the Teratogenic and Mutagenic properties of metals†

Actually, embryos can be cultured from the one‐cell stage up to the blastocyst stage, and their development can be easily monitored at any time: severe effects caused by toxic compounds are traduced by rapid embryonic death, less pronounced effects can be expressed by a lowered cleavage activity or by an arrest of the development from a particular stage. The system can be improved by transferring the embryos at the blastocyst stage in another more complete medium where they can “implant”; and form an inner cell mass with differentiated ectoderm and endoderm. Since last years, it has also become possible to culture postimplantation rodent embryos for short periods involving a number of particularly critical stages of organogenesis, such as the formation and closure of the anterior neuropore. Embryo‐culture also represents a useful system to study cytogenetic effects of chemicals which are often linked to lethal or teratogenic effects. These different possibilities are illustrated by examples of studies already performed with metals, and dealing with their teratogenic and/or cytogenetic effects on pre‐ and postimplantation rodents.     

Tessaria absinthioides: a possible bio‐monitor for Cd,Pb, and Cu,in the middle and lower basin of the loa river,North Chile

Some ecotoxic metals such as Cd, Pb, and Cu in Tessaria absinthioides were quantified to study its possible use as a bio‐indicator and/or bio‐monitor of these metals. This plant was chosen for its abundance in the area under study, along Chile and even in southern Latin America. For Cd, Pb, and Cu in all three parts of the plant (leaves, stems and roots) a different concentration pattern in each sampling areas was observed. In sampling areas Coya Sur and La Cascada copper and cadmium concentration decrease in order: leaves > roots > stems. In samples collected in Xalquincha the lowest concentrations of Cd and Pb were observed in stems. A maximum of cadmium concentration (9ug/gd.w. in leaves) was found in samples from La Cascada, a inflow to river Loa in Calama. High concentrations of lead were found in roots and leaves. Collected data demonstrate that the main pathway for cadmium is from ground water via roots into the plant. Some data obtained for lead and copper indicate that the influence of dust particles adsorbed on leaves and stems can be higher than uptake from ground water.     

PCB and PCT levels in cultivated and free‐living mussels of galicia (North west Spain)

PCB and PCT residues were measured in free‐living (FM) and cultivated mussels (CM) from ten sites in Galicia by gas chromatography with electron capture detector and capillary column. The level of PCB₁₂₆₀ and PCT₅₄₆₀ in FMs increases going from Muros‐Noya to Vigo estuarine bay. There was a trend of increase from north to south.     

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.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in amniotic fluids of pregnant women in south-central Turkey†

The concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in amniotic fluid of 200 pregnant women from the Cukurova region of Turkey. The concentrations of OCPs [hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (p,p′-DDT), and various metabolites], and different PCB congeners (28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) were determined by gas chromatography with electron capture detection as follows: HCB 6.6 ± 4.7, ΣHCH 21.6 ± 14.2, ΣDDT 12.5 ± 7.5, and ΣPCBs 74.0 ± 54 ng mL^?1. Correlations of maternal or gestational age and levels of OCPs and PCBs were not significant. The levels of these organochlorine compounds (OCs) were below detection limit for 5% of the samples, 80% contained more than one OC. This study illustrates that prenatal exposure of a fetus to OCs is prevalent in the Cukurova region.     

Variations in the elemental compositions of plants,and computer‐aided sampling in ecosystems∗

To obtain comparable results of multi‐element analysis of plant materials by different laboratories, a harmonized sampling procedure for terrestrial and marine ecosystems is essential. The heterogeneous distribution of chemical elements in living organisms is influenced by different biological parameters. These parameters are mainly characterized by genetic predetermination, seasonal changes, edaphic and climatic conditions, and delocalization processes of chemical substances by metabolic activities.

The biological variations of the element content in plants were divided into 5 systematic levels, which are: 1. the plant species; 2. the population; 3. the stand (within an ecosystem); 4. the individual; and 5. the plant compartment. Each of these systematic levels can be related to: 1. genetic variabilities; 2. different climatic, edaphic and anthropogenic influences; 3. microclimatic or microedaphic conditions; 4. age of plants (stage of development), exposure to environmental influences (light, wind, pollution etc.), seasonal changes; and 5. transport and deposition of substances within the different plant compartments (organs, tissues, cells, organelles).

An expert system for random and systematic sampling for multi‐element analysis of environmental materials, such as plants, soils and precipitation is presented. After statistical division of the research area, the program provides advice for contamination‐free collection of environmental samples.     

Background metal levels determination in bivalves – quality assessment of the European Water Framework Directive

Background levels of metals (Ag, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in biomonitors (Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels and Crassostrea gigas oysters), in estuarine waters within the Basque Country (south-east Bay of Biscay) are estimated using non-parametric statistical tools and data are presented graphically, with the aim of being used in assessing the ecological status, within the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). The basis for this study was the statistical analysis of data compiled from monitoring programmes undertaken along the Basque coast, between 1990 and 2008. For this analysis, a heuristic method was adapted and used. Results showed different metal background ranges throughout the year for both mussels and oysters. Values corresponding to the upper limit of the background range (i.e. value of the upper whisker of the box-plot) are proposed as the ‘high/good’ status boundary, according to the WFD.     

Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and dibenzofurans in outdoor air of North‐Rhine‐Westphalia,Germany

Measurements of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF) in outdoor air of North‐Rhine‐Westphalia were carried out. Fifty‐six samples were taken at different sites in areas of different land use and emission structures. A special filter system allowed analysis of the gas and particle phases separately. It was found that higher chlorinated PCDD/PCDF (7 or 8 chlorine atoms) are collected on glass fiber filter and lower chlorinated PCDD/PCDF (tetra‐ and penta‐CDD/CDF) are absorbed on polyurethane foam. The following isomers were determined: OCDD, OCDF and 11 isomers with chlorine substitution in 2,3,7,8‐position as well as the sum of TCDD, PeCDD, HxCDD, HpCDD, TCDF, PeCDF, HxCDF, HpCDF and the sum of PCDD (4–8) and PCDF (4–8). No 2,3,7,8‐TCDD could be detected but 2,3,7,8‐TCDF was found at 15 sites. Mean concentration in the Rhine‐Ruhr‐District for the sum of PCDD (4–8) and PCDF (4–8) was 3.2pg/m³ and 5.5pg/m³ respectively. Detection limit for TCDD and PCDD/PCDF (5–8) was 0.1–0.2 pg/m³ and 0.005–0.015 pg/m³ respectively. There is no significant indication that 2,3,7,8‐chlorinated isomers of PCDD/PCDF are predominantly decomposed by photochemical reactions in outdoor air.     

Does the composition of the demersal fish assemblages in temperate coastal waters change with depth and undergo consistent seasonal changes?

The aim of this study was to determine whether the composition of the demersal fish fauna in coastal marine waters in temperate Australia changes markedly with increasing water depth and distance from the shore and whether the composition of the fish fauna in water depths of 5 to 35 m undergoes cyclic, seasonal changes. Samples of demersal fishes were therefore collected by trawling over the predominantly sandy substrate at nine sites located in water depths of 5 to 15 m or 20 to 35 m and within 20 km of the shore in four regions along ∼200 km on the lower west coast of Australia. The sampling regime involved trawling for fishes at each site at night in seven consecutive seasons between the summer of 1990/1991 and winter of 1992. A total of 72 435 fishes, representing 77 families, 143 genera and 172 species was caught. The compositions of the fish faunas in offshore waters with depths of 5 to 35 m were shown to differ markedly from those previously recorded for nearshore marine waters in the same regions. However, as some species, such as Sillago burrus, S. vittata, S. bassensis and Rhabdosargus sarba, increase in size, they move out from their nursery areas in nearshore waters into deeper and more offshore waters, where spawning occurs. Ordination showed that, in each of the four regions, the composition of the fish fauna in depths of 5 to 15 m differs from that in depths of 20 to 35 m. This difference is attributable to the fact that some species, such as  S. burrus, S. vittata and Upeneichthys lineatus, are far more abundant in depths of 5 to 15 m, whereas other species, such as S. robusta, U. stotti and Lepidotrigla modesta, occur predominantly in depths of 20 to 35 m. However, the samples collected from the single site that was inshore but in deeper water demonstrate that the composition of the fish fauna is influenced by distance from shore as well as by water depth. The compositions of the fish faunas differed with latitude, largely due to the fact that some subtropical species, such as Polyspina piosae, S. burrus and  S. robusta, did not extend down into the more southern regions. Ordination also showed that the composition of the fish faunas at all but one of the nine sites underwent pronounced and consistent cyclic, seasonal changes. This seasonal cyclicity at the different sites was attributable to sequential patterns of immigrations and emigrations by a number of fish species during the course of the year. These seasonal migrations involved, inter alia (1) movements of certain species from their nursery areas into these deeper waters, e.g.  S. bassensis and Scobinichthys granulatus; (2) migrations into and off the sandy areas of the inner continental shelf, e.g. Arnoglossus muelleri; (3) migrations to spawning areas, e.g. Sillago robusta; and (4) movements into areas where detached macrophytes accumulate in winter, e.g. Cnidoglanis macrocephalus and Apogon rueppellii. Received: 21 August 1998 / Accepted: 9 February 1999     

Cadmium in the terrestrial environment: Impact of long‐range atmospheric transport∗

Cadmium is supplied to Southern Norway in considerable amounts by atmospheric transport from other areas of Europe. This has caused a very marked increase of Cd levels in the natural environment in this area. Evidence of the main source areas is inferred from air concentration studies coupled to trajectory analysis. The extent of contamination is indicated from deposition studies and investigations of Cd in peat cores and surface soils, including soil profile distributions. The Cd content of vascular plants is substantially higher in Southern Norway than in areas farther north and further transfer in terrestrial food chains is occurring and may eventually lead to increased human exposure.