Polychlorinated biphenyls and Organochlorine insecticides residues in fish and shellfish from lake Biwa

Results of surveys on Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and organochlorine insecticides (HCH and DDT) in fish and shellfish from Lake Biwa were summarized from 1987 to 1996. In 1975, fish and shellfish in Lake Biwa were highly contaminated with PCB, HCH and DDT but recently in 1992–1996 the concentrations of these chemicals were very low and nearly constant. In the composition of HCH isomers, β‐HCH was dominant in all kinds of fish and shellfish. In the composition of DDT and DDT metabolites, pp'‐DDE was similarly dominant in all kinds of fish and shellfish. Further, the data in Lake Biwa were compared with those in Lake Michigan and Lake Baikal.     

Addressing the environmental risk of persistent organic pollutants in China

The Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) was adopted in 2001. This year is the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention. Until now, 22 chemicals or chemical categories have been listed as POPs in the Stockholm Convention. The POPs Research Center was established in Tsinghua University in the same year when the Convention was adopted. In the last ten years, much work has been done by Chinese researchers to understand the environmental risk of POPs in China. This article aims to review the recent research progress of our POPs Research Center and some other Chinese researchers?? studies in addressing the environmental risk of POPs, including the priority screening and inventory study of POPs, monitoring and modeling of POPs pollution and exposure, and environmental risk assessment and modeling of POPs. Although great advances in addressing the environmental risk of POPs have been made in recent years, we are still facing quite a few problems, such as data scarcity and uncertainty in environmental risk assessment of POPs. The study on the effect of POPs mixtures is in its infancy and currently POPs are usually assessed from legal perspective by risk assessment of single chemicals. These problems should be well addressed by further efforts. Further studies should also be taken in future to study environment risk of POPs by considering aspects of coupled dynamics between climate processes and POPs. Such sound scientific, riskbased information can support decision-making aiming to effectively minimize the risk level of POPs.     

天津高沙岭潮间带泥螺对多环芳烃菲的累积特征

污染物的生物可利用性对生物修复、污染物生态毒性和环境风险评价有着十分重要的影响.本文通过对天津高沙岭潮间带底柄生物泥螺Bullacta exarata进行室内菲染毒实验,从泥螺暴露在菲污染环境之日算起,分别于1、3、5、7、10、12d采样,样品经冷冻、干燥、研磨、混匀、称量后,采用气相色谱-质谱联用仪(GC-MS)测量了泥螺体和肝脏对多环芳烃菲的累积数量,经过计算生物累积因子(BSAF值)研究了泥螺对菲的生物可利用性.结果表明,泥螺对菲的累积周期为12 d,其身体和肝脏中菲的质量分数均呈现先升高后降低的趋势,分别在第7天和第5天达到最大值,其中肝脏的累积能力更强,肝脏对菲的最大累积量大约是身体的10倍,在食物链的传递中,这无疑会对更高营养级的生物造成较大的影响.研究还发现,泥螺对菲的累积主要来自于对底泥的摄食,这不仅与其自身的生活习性有关,还与栖息环境密切相关.所以,应当严格控制菲的人为输入.尤其是要严格控制石油类产品的泄露.该研究成果可以为天津河口、潮问带和近岸海域的环境监测、生态风险评价及生物修复提供科学依据.     

Cattle egrets as a biosentinels of persistent organic pollutants exposure

We investigated selected chlorinated pollutants (β-HCH, γ-HCH, DDDs, DDEs, o,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDT, heptachlor, aldrin, dieldrin, and endrin) in the Lahore and the Sialkot districts of Pakistan, using eggs of cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) collected during May and June 2007. The pollutant with highest level and frequency was ΣDDT, followed by β-HCH, γ-HCH, heptachlor, aldrin, dieldrin, and endrin in descending order. The concentration(s) were significantly higher in Sialkot heronry for all the pollutants (except p,p′-DDT) than in Lahore. The values for DDTs, β-HCH, γ-HCH, and heptachlor were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the egg(s) than in sediment(s) and in the chicks’ diet, due to biomagnification. Among DDTs analogues, p,p′-DDD was the major contaminant with >60 % of total DDT burden, reflecting the widespread aged as well as recent use of DDT as well as anaerobic degradation (DDD/DDE > 1 in many cases) in the nearby paddy soils. In few samples, p,p′-DDT/(DDD + DDE) > 0.5 suggested the recent emission patterns from surrounding contaminated areas of demolished DDT units and obsolete pesticide stores. The higher levels of HCHs (i.e., β-HCH) in the samples collected from Sialkot indicate exposure from long-term agricultural use. Overall, concentrations of all studied POPs were less than the threshold levels known to affect reproduction. Nevertheless, total DDTs and/or HCHs burdens in some eggs contained concentrations of greater than what would educe adverse effects on birds. This is among few studies on OCPs exposure to avian species, which provide the evidence of Pakistan’s contribution toward the Global POPs emission.     

典型POPs的生物降解修复技术研究与发展

生物吸附与降解是解决持久性有机污染物（POPs）最有潜力的方法之一,有必要介绍利用微生物把目标污染物转化为易降解的物质甚至矿化的POPs修复原理及其技术。对此,概述了近年来国内外基于微生物通过膜融合、胞质融合和核融合形成能够降解POPs的杂种细胞的细胞融合技术;基于降解性质粒的相容性,把能够降解不同污染物的质粒组合到一个菌种中,形成多质粒的新菌种,使微生物由于代谢途径的改变能够矿化POPs的基因工程菌构建技术;基于通过某些载体把酶固定于其中实现活性稳定、可以回收及可重复利用的酶固定化技术,以及基于降解菌活性酶分子亚基置换、降解菌活性酶的定点突变、降解酶的体外定向进化这几方面的酶构建技术;进一步分析基于分子生物学提高POPs生物修复能力的原理,指出经生物技术改造的工程菌和固定化酶未能进入实际应用的障碍所在。以多溴联苯醚（PBDEs）的微生物细胞吸收和降解机理作为典型POPs生物修复的案例,强调生物降解的过程强化需要建立多尺度上功能方面的适合;提出了分子生物学与基因工程学的结合在解决POPs环境污染方面未来的基础科学问题与研究思路。综合上述,典型POPs的生物修复技术的构建需要考虑宏观污染物协同降解的工艺理论,在基因水平、分子水平、反应器水平及工程水平上追求更高功能方面的适合。     

监测和净化难分解性有机污染物质的植物基因工程技术

介绍了植物基因工程技术在监测和净化难分解性有机污染物质方面的研究进展。生物中存在着能降解难分解性有机污染物质的酶及其编码基因，具有识别和除去难分解性有机污染物质的免疫系统、受体和响应元件。这方面的研究工作多以哺乳动物为材料，植物的相关研究还处于起步阶段。创造环境监测和环境污染净化为目标的新型植物将成为转基因植物研究的极其重要的研究方向之一。     

典型土壤持久性有机污染物空间分布特征及环境行为研究进展

持久性有机污染物(POPs)由于具有致癌性、致畸性和致突变效应的"三致性",近年来已经越来越受到人们的关注.本文综合分析了有机氯农药(OCPs)、多氯联苯(PCBs)、二英类(PCDD/Fs)、多环芳烃(PAHs)及多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)等几种典型土壤持久性有机污染物的空间分布特征.同时,对土壤POPs的挥发作用、吸附/解吸、迁移、生物降解、化学降解等环境行为进行了深入分析,并指出了这些环境行为的影响因素,包括POPs的物质属性、土壤理化性质及周围环境等共性影响因素及其它因素.此外,针对国内外研究现状中存在的问题,提出了相关建议,指出控制土壤POPs污染的根本手段在于管理措施的完善.     

Assessment of persistent organic pollutants in soil and sediments from an urbanized flood plain area

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and phenolic compounds (PCs) are persistent organic compounds. Contamination of these potentially toxic organic pollutants in soils and sediments is most studied environmental compartments. In recent past, studies were carried out on PAHs, OCPs and PCs in various soils and sediments in India. But, this is the first study on these pollutants in soils and sediments from an urbanized river flood plain area in Delhi, India. During 2018, a total of fifty-four samples including twenty-seven each of soil and sediment were collected and analyzed for thirteen priority PAHs, four OCPs and six PCs. The detected concentration of ∑PAHs, ∑OCPs and ∑PCs in soils ranged between 473 and 1132, 13 and 41, and 639 and 2112 µg/kg, respectively, while their concentrations in sediments ranged between 1685 and 4010, 4.2 and 47, and 553 and 20,983 µg/kg, respectively. PAHs with 4-aromatic rings were the dominant compounds, accounting for 51 and 76% of total PAHs in soils and sediments, respectively. The contribution of seven carcinogen PAHs (7CPAHs) in soils and sediments accounted for 43% and 61%, respectively, to ∑PAHs. Among OCPs, p, p’-DDT was the dominant compound in soils, while α-HCH was found to be dominated in sediments. The concentrations of ∑CPs (chlorophenols) were dominated over ∑NPs (nitrophenols) in both the matrices. Various diagnostic tools were applied for the identification of their possible sources in soil and sediments. The observed concentrations of PAHs, OCPs and PCs were more or less comparable with the recently reports from various locations around the world including India. Soil quality guidelines and consensus-based sediment quality guidelines were applied for the assessment of ecotoxicological health effect.

     

珠三角地区POPs农药的污染现状及控制对策

概述了中国及国际社会对持久性有机污染物（Persistent Organic Pollutants,POPs）的关注情况。并通过对POPs农药在珠江三角洲地区（Pearl River Delta Area,PRD）使用情况的调查，以及对珠江三角洲地区POPs农药在各环境介质中的污染现状的文献综述，结合环境污染数据以及POPs农药污染调查工作中得到的数据和信息，对该地区POPs污染的可能原因和环境中可能存在的新近污染源进行了初步探讨。同时也指出了当前珠江三角洲地区在POPs农药削减与淘汰工作中所遭遇到的缺乏完善的管理体系等困难，并针对问题提出了包括加大科研投入，加强基础研究，掌握污染物来源和去向，加强替代药物的研究，建立和实施更严格的环境法规以及标准，加强环境监测能力建设，建立POPs农药污染的信息公开机制等一系列的控制对策。     

The effect of export to the deep sea on the long-range transport potential of persistent organic pollutants

Background

Export to the deep sea has been found to be a relevant pathway for highly hydrophobic chemicals. The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of this process on the potential for long-range transport (LRT) of such chemicals.

Methods

The spatial range as a measure of potential for LRT is calculated for seven PCB congeners with the multimedia fate and transport model ChemRange. Spatial ranges for cases with and without deep sea export are compared.

Results and Discussion

Export to the deep sea leads to increased transfer from the air to the surface ocean and, thereby, to lower spatial ranges for PCB congeners whose net deposition rate constant is similar to or greater than the atmospheric degradation rate constant. This is fulfilled for the PCB congeners 101, 153, 180, and 194. The spatial ranges of the congeners 8, 28, and 52, in contrast, are not affected by deep sea export. With export to the deep sea included in the model, the spatial ranges of the heavier congener are similar to those of the lighter ones, while the intermediate congeners 101 and 153 have the highest potential for long-range transport.

Conclusions

Transfer to the deep ocean affects the mass balance and the potential for LRT of highly hydrophobic chemicals and should be included in multimedia fate models containing a compartment for ocean water.     

Testosterone concentrations and male genital organ morphology in Greenland sledge dogs (Canis familiaris) dietary exposed to organohalogen contaminants

This study investigated whether low-level, long-term in utero and post-natal exposure to organohalogen pollutants disrupts male reproductive organ morphology and testosterone production in Greenland sledge dogs (Canis familiaris), as a model of Arctic top predators feeding on marine mammals. Six male dogs were followed for 1 year and testosterone concentrations, testes/baculum morphology and baculum bone mineral density (BMD) was determined. Three males were exposed to organohalogenated contaminants (OHCs) in utero through maternal dietary intake of minke whale blubber (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), with a post-weaning ∑OHC intake of 10.4–11.7 µg kg^?1 day^?1 resulting in an adipose tissue range of ∑OHC 4518–5729 ng (g lw)^?1 after 1 year. Three control males were exposed to very low concentrations of OHCs through pork fat. No significant differences were seen in plasma testosterone concentrations, baculum weight, BMD, and testicular length in the six male dogs (control, n = 3 and exposed, n = 3) measured at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12 months of age. Testicular weights were significantly lower in the exposed group (p = 0.015, n = 2). Although this study had a limited number of animals, it was observed that in utero and the following 12 months of chronic exposure to a complex mixture of contaminants in the form of naturally accumulated OHCs does not affects testosterone levels, but possibly affects testicular weights in sledge dogs.     

广东西江流域饮用水源中典型持久性有机污染物的含量与来源

从广东省西江流域三个饮用水源地采集三个样品,分别分析其中两类持久性有机污染物—有机氯农药和多环芳烃的含量以及来源,从这两类污染物对水环境污染的角度初步判断饮用水源的安全性。首先采用液液萃取的方法对样品进行前处理,然后分别用GC．ECD和GC—MS测定有机氯农药和多环芳烃的含量。实验发现有机氯农药质量浓度在水相中为1．99ng·L^-1～ 4．76ng·L^-1,在颗粒相中为0．36ng·L^-1～0．68ng·L^-1;多环芳烃质量浓度在水相中为73．40ng·L^-1～865．89ng·L^-1,在颗粒相中为16．76ng·L^-1～19．31ng·L^-1。结果表明,六六六和滴滴涕质量浓度低于国标《生活饮用水水源水质标准》（CJ3020．93）的规定,同时苯并[a]芘也低于世界卫生组织《饮用水水质标准》的规定,而其它物质标准中均无规定。由此说明,就有机氯农药和多环芳烃这两类污染物在水中的含量来说,广东西江领域饮用水源是相对安全的。但是由于这两类污染物都具有很强的生物富集性,因此它们在水环境中的存在和作用也是不容忽视的。     

Biotransfer of persistent organic pollutants from a large site in China used for the disassembly of electronic and electrical waste

Samples of groundwater, river water, river sediment, paddy soil, rice seeds, hen eggs, fish, umbilical cord blood, and newborn meconium were collected from October 2002 to October 2003 near a large site in China used for the disassembly of obsolete transformers and other electronic or electrical waste. Six indicator PCB congeners, three non-ortho dioxin-like PCB congeners, and six organochlorine pesticides were determined in the samples by GC with electron capture detector. The results demonstrated that the local environment and edible foods had been seriously polluted by toxic PCBs and organochlorine pesticides. The actual daily intakes (ADIs) of these pollutants were estimated for local residents living in the area. The intake data showed that the contents of PCBs in these local residents were substantial, as the ADI estimates greatly exceed the reference doses set by the World Health Organization and the United States Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The presence of the indicator PCB congeners in the cord blood and the meconium samples, as well as significant correlations (r ² > 0.80, p < 0.05) between these levels, suggests a potential biotransfer of these indicators from mothers to their newborns. This preliminary study showed that obsolete transformers and other electronic or electrical waste can be an important source for the emission of persistent organic pollutants into the local environment, such as through leakage, evaporation, runoff, and leaching. Contamination from this source appears to have reached the level considered to be a serious threat to environmental and human health around the disassembly site.     

Air pollution and body burden of persistent organic pollutants at an electronic waste recycling area of China

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - This paper reviews the concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in atmosphere of an electronic waste (e-waste) recycling town, Guiyu, in...     

Post-war levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in air from Serbia determined by active and passive sampling methods

For the duration of the war accident in former Yugoslavia, several industrial and military targets were burnt and damaged, resulting in a significant release of persistent organic pollutants. Locations heavily targeted in the attacks were later defined by UNEP as four “hot spots”: Kragujevac, Novi Sad, Pancevo and Bor. We analyzed concentration levels of pollutants collected in 2004 and 2005 in air samples from the city of Kragujevac, Serbia, following the war accident of 1999. Pollutants included polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT), dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethylene (DDE), dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethane (DDD) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). We present results obtained during air sampling campaign conducted in July 2004 by the active sampling method; and during September 2004–June 2005 by the passive sampling method. Our findings show the occurrence of residual quantities of DDT, HCH, PCBs and PAHs in air samples. High levels of PCBs are probably due to the destruction of transformers during the war accident.     

复合人工湿地对有机污染物的去除效果初步研究

研究了由不同植物配置(驯化和未驯化)的两组下行和上行植物床组成的复合人工湿地对生活污水的净化效果。结果表明,CODCr和BOD5的去除率达67.3%,68.1%,总氮(TN)的去除率为26.9%,总磷(TP)的去除主要发生在上行床,去除率为81.6%。环芳烃(PAHs)中苊(Ace)、荧蒽(Flu)、芘(Py)、苯并[a]蒽(BaA)、屈(Chr)、苯并[b]荧蒽(BbF)、苯并[a]芘(BaP)、茚并[1,2,3-cd]芘(InP)和苯并[g,h,i](BPR)经下行床后,去除率超过80%,上行床去除较少。驯化床和未驯化床对PAHs的去除效果差异不显著。邻苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)中邻苯二甲酸二乙酯(DEP)和邻苯二甲酸二异丁酯(DiBP)经驯化床后,质量浓度显著升高,经未驯化床后邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基)己酯(DEHP)含量显著降低。蚕豆根尖微核实验表明,不同植物配置对微核率影响差异并不显著,毒害物质经下行床后大部分被去除。     

不同有机质含量的土壤中DDT对小麦根系的生物有效性

对不同有机质含量的土壤中，分别选用水、正己烷、正己烷／丙酮混合溶剂作为DDT的提取剂，用这3种提取剂逐级连续提取，研究了这3级提取剂所提取的DDT量的差别及其与小麦根吸收的关系。结果表明，有机氯的水提取量随土壤D0c的增加而上升，正己烷提取量随土壤TOC的增加而下降，正己烷／丙酮提取量随土壤TOC的增加而上升。根吸收与水提取量没有确定的关系，但与正己烷提取量具正相关关系，与正己烷／丙酮提取量有负相关关系。     

Magnetic semiconductor nano-photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants

Photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants using suspended and dispersed semiconductor nano-photocatalysts in wastewater holds unique advantages, including high activity, low cost, solar utilization, and complete mineralization. But the recovery and reuse of photocatalysts are difficult because the fine particles are easily discharged in waters. Immobilization of photocatalysts on supports such as glass and zeolite results in decreased activities due to the low specific area and slow mass transfer. Furthermore, a large amount of the photocatalysts will result in colored contamination. Therefore, it is necessary to develop photocatalysts with a separation function for the reusable and cyclic application. In order to take advantage of the high activity and enable the semiconductor nano-photocatalysts to be reused, the concept of magnetic photocatalysts with separation function was raised. We review the photocatalytic principle, structure, and application of the magnetic semiconductor catalysts.     

Contamination,spatial distribution,and source contribution of persistent organic pollutants in the soil of Guiyang city,China: a case study

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - The contamination of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), and polycyclic...     

Effect of pH on the sonochemical degradation of organic pollutants

An increasing number of organic compounds are manufactured, consumed, and discarded every year. Incomplete destruction of these compounds in wastewater treatment plants leads to pollution of natural waters, posing great health and ecological concerns. Ultrasound, as an emerging advanced oxidation technology, can quickly and effectively degrade organic pollutants in waters. To improve removal efficiency of organic pollutants in an ultrasonic system, operational parameters, especially pH, have been frequently evaluated and optimized. This review show that pH-induced changes in volatility, hydrophobicity and Coulombic force between the target compound and cavitation bubbles leads to higher degradation at acidic pH for most compounds. In addition, pH also changes free radical formation and reactivity in water during sonication, thereby altering degradation kinetics of target compounds. However, the influence of pH is not always consistent for various organic pollutants covering a broad range of physicochemical properties and reactivities. A systematic investigation on the pH effect is necessary to elucidate how pH alters cavitation bubble dynamics and collapse, radical yield and reactivity, distribution of target compounds in the vicinity of cavitation bubbles, water matrices transformation, and ultimately the degradation kinetics of organic pollutants. This first systematic review provides valuable insight into the pH effects on organic pollutant sonolysis, helps to improve our mechanistic understanding of the sonochemical system, and sheds light on future application of ultrasound in water engineering.