The effect of temperature and salinity on copper body-burden and copper toxicity to Hediste (Nereis) diversicolor

Temperature from 12 to 22°C and salinity from 30.5 to 7.6 increased accumulation of copper in Hediste diversicolor. Copper accumulated ranged from 85.83 to 217.14 g g^-1. Sediments reduced accumulation of copper under temperature-salinity combinations. Accumulated copper ranged from 90.19 to 153.26 g g^-1.However, mortality of the worms was not solely dependent upon copper body-burden. It ranged from 34 to 45% and from 38 to 80% in the presence of sediment. A combination of osmoregulatory and thermal stresses increased the toxic effect of copper to the worms.     

A Survey of Trace Metals in Vegetation, Soil and Lower Animal Along Some Selected Major Roads in Metropolitan City of Lagos

The concentration of trace metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) in a total of 144 samples of grass, soil and lower animal (earthworm, Lybrodrilus violaceous) were collected and analysed for their metallic content. Levels of cadmium ranged from 0.01–0.07 g g^–1; 0.01–0.12 g g^–1 and from trace–0.05 g g^–1 dry weight for plant, soil and animal samples respectively. Mean concentration of copper ranged 0.10–1.48 g g^–1; 0.10–2.90 g g^–1 and 0.01–0.08 g g^–1 for samples in similar order as above. The levels of Pb varied from 0.01–0.14 g g^–1; 0.02–0.23 g g^–1 and from trace–0.07 g g^–1 while that of Zn ranged from 0.19–1.80 g g^–1; 0.51–3.35 g g^–1and 0.01–0.08 g g^–1 also in the same order of samples as mentioned above. Levels of metals in soil samples were higher than the background levels with the exception of Zn but lower than European Union (EU) limits. The results generally revealed the presence of metals in plant and animal samples and metal dynamics up the food chain is highly possible. Acceptable recoveries of the spiking experiment validate the experimental protocol.     

Characterization of atmospheric dust at Gurushikar,Mt. Abu,Rajasthan

The nature of atmospheric aerosols at Gurushikar, Mt. Abu, Rajasthan where a gamma ray telescope is to be installed, was investigated. Air particulate samples collected on filters were used to estimate the total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) and its elemental composition. The TSPM varied from 31 to 103 g/m³ during January to March 1994. The heighest loads were observed during the months of May and June (80–100 g/m³) and lowest during October (20–60 g/m³). The dust was also examined for size, shape and nature of the mineral matter. The particle sizes varied from 100 m to 5 m. The course particles (>50 m) are irregular shaped quartz grains. Some of the medium size (=50 m) particles were spherical and were highly conducting. These particles were rich in iron content. Correlation coefficients among various elements in the dust showed that it is made up of mainly two components-wind blown ground dust and particulate arising out of wood and coal burning.     

CHLOROFORM LEVELS IN THE DRINKING WATER OF HYDERABAD CITY, INDIA

A one-year study was conducted on the chloroform concentrationof the municipal drinking water of Hyderabad City. Consumertap water samples were collected from different parts of thewater-distribution system of the city. Duplicate samplescollected from the sites were extracted with organic solvent,pentane and analysed using a gas chromatograph equipped with⁶³Ni electron capture detector. Results indicate avariation in haloform concentration in different seasons ofthe year. A maximum concentration, ranging from 67.0–70.5g/l was observed during the summer. However, the meanlevel of chloroform was below the permissible level of 30g/l recommended by WHO (1984).     

The effects of salinity,temperature and sediment on the toxicity of copper to juvenile Hediste (Nereis) diversicolor (O. F. Muller)

Without sediment, increasing salinity (7.3 to 29.2) and increasing temperature (12 to 22 °C) reduced the toxicity of copper to juvenile Hediste diversicolor. The LC₅₀ values ranged from 357 gL^-1 in 7.3 to 513 g L^-1 in 29.2 at 12°C and from 247 to 500 g L^-1 at 22°C. In deionized water all the juvenile were dead in all solutions to which copper was added (100 to 600 g L^-1). Dead worms were swollen and everted their pharynxs. In higher doses of copper (500 to 600 g L^-1) the worms were abnormal in behaviour in all salinities (0 to 29.2). The ability to swim or crawl was disturbed.With sediments increasing temperature and increasing salinity increased the toxicity of copper to the worms. The LC₅₀ values ranged from 3200 to 4100 g L^-1 at 22°C. The response of the juvenile to copper was antagonistic to increasing temperature and salinity and synergistic to increasing salinity and increasing temperature without and with the sediment respectively.     

Monitoring for 2,4-residues in fish species resident in treated lakes in east-central Ontario 1977–80

Authorized use of 2,4-D by cottage owners in Buckhorn Lake for the years 1977 to 1980 ranged from 124 to 280 kg of active ingredient, annually. This would give predicted average water concentrations of 2 to 4 g L^–1 during the June–July period. However, higher residues were observed in the Lake. Between 1977 and 1980, 353 individual fish, of eight species, were caught for analysis in Buckhorn and Chemong lakes. These fish belonged to eight edible species. Twelve percent of the fish caught during the pre-treatment period (i.e. May), had detectable residues of 2,4-D. Mean residues by species and year ranged from <5 to 30 g kg^–1 2,4-D. In the early post-treatment period (i.e. July), 69% of fish caught had mean residues by species which ranged from <5 to 136 g kg^–1 2,4-D. In the late post-treatment period (i.e. October), 19% of fish caught by year had detectable residues of 2,4-D. Mean residues by species during this period ranged from <5 to 60 g kg^–1 2,4-D. While 15 (i.e. 4%) of the 353 fish and fish composites had 2,4-D above the maximum residue limit of 100 g kg^–1 only six were of edible size.     

Bioindicator organisms: Heavy metal pollution evaluation in the Ionian Sea (Mediterranean Sea—Italy)

Trace metal concentrations of mercury, cadmium, lead and chromium in Patella caerulea, and Mullus barbatus were investigated to provide information on pollution of Ionian Sea, since these metals have the highest toxic potential. High chromium levels (0.47–0.97 g g^–1 ww) were registered in limpet samples collected from two station near the Gulf of Taranto, while elevated concentration of mercury (0.31–1.50 g g^–1 ww) were found in mullet specimens from Sicily. The metal concentrations recorded at the clean stations may be considered as useful background levels to which to refer for comparison within the Mediterranean area. On the contrary, the high levels of chromium and mercury found respectively in the areas near the Gulf of Taranto and at Capo Passero being of concern in terms of environmental health need frequent monitoring.     

Roadside Concentration of Gaseous and Particulate Matter Pollutants and Risk Assessment in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania

This study used manual air sampling method to assess the contribution of road traffic to air pollution level in Dar-es-Salaam City, Tanzania. Samples were collected from 11 different sites. Parameters measured were: sulphur dioxide using pararosaniline method, nitrogen dioxide using saltzman method, particulate matter and particulate lead using filtration method and atomic absorption spectrometric method, respectively. Results showed that hourly average sulphur dioxide concentration range from 127 to 1385 g/m³. The measured values of sulphur dioxide were above the recommended WHO guidelines with an hourly objective value of 350 g/m³ at 87% of the sampling sites. The hourly average nitrogen dioxide concentration ranged from 18 to 53 g/m³. The maximum hourly nitrogen dioxide concentration at 53 g/m³ was below the WHO guideline value of 200 g/m³. The hourly average suspended particulate matter (SPM) ranged from 98 to 1161 g/m³, exceeding the recommended value of 230 g/m³ by WHO at 87% of the sampling sites. The hourly average lead concentration was found to range from 0.60 to 25.6 g/m³, exceeding again the WHO guideline value of 1.5 g/m³at 83% of the sampling sites. Results predicted by Gaussian model when compared with the measured values were found to have a correlation coefficient of 0.8, signifying a good correlation. The risk assessment was undertaken considering the people who spend a significant portion of their time near the roads, such as the Uhuru primary school pupils and the adult population who reside by the roadside. The unit risk realised was 18.2 × 10^–6 for adult population and 2.2 × 10^–6 for pupils, both scenarios showing risk higher than the United Sates of America Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) acceptable limit of 1× 10^–6. Considering the magnitude of the problem at hand, this study recommends an introduction of mandatory emission tests of SPM, lead and sulphur dioxide (SO₂). The study further recommends the introduction of continuous and/or regular air quality monitoring and the use non-leaded petrol in Tanzania.     

Mercury Vapor Determination in Hospitals

The measurements of metallic mercury vapor were carried out in seven local hospitals, where mercury-containing products are widely used, as well as in one residence to check effectiveness of decontamination after mercury spillage. Hopcalite as a solid sorbent was used in active and passive sampling methods, and mercury was analyzed by CV-AAS technique. Good agreement was found between results of mercury measurements using active samplers (pumped hopcalite adsorption tubes) and passive (diffusion) monitors applied in indoor atmosphere. The results indicated the presence of metallic mercury vaporization sources in the assessed hospital rooms but in the majority of cases mercury levels did not exceed 1 g/m³ i.e. Polish permissible concentration for residence. However, in some of the hospital rooms, elevated concentrations of mercury vapor were found and airborne levels of up to 13.9 g/m³ were recorded. Higher concentrations of mercury vapor were observed in autumn season when compared to summer.     

Routine Measurement of Dissolved Inorganic 15N in Precipitation and Streamwater

The difficulty of measuring 15N in dilute solutions has limited the potential of ecosystem labeling experiments and model comparisons. By concentrating the N from large (up to 20 L) water samples on ion-exchange resin columns, we obtained enough N for accurate and reproducible 15N measurement using the Teflon tape diffusion method. Analysis of standards demonstrated >95% recovery of inorganic N from samples, and 15N values comparable to those obtained using standard distillation methods. The value of the blank at our laboratory was 0.16 moles N. Analytical precision was within 2 15N when samples of streamwater from the Bear Brook Watersheds (1800 eq · ha-1 · yr-1 N addition at 192 15N) were kept frozen until analysis. The analytical process is lengthy, but once set up can easily be performed for large numbers of samples.     

Environmental monitoring of carbaryl applied in urban areas to control the glassy-winged sharpshooter in California

Carbaryl insecticide was applied by ground spray to plants in urban areas to control a serious insect pest the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata (Say), newly introduced inCalifornia. To assure there are no adverse impacts to human health and the environment from the carbaryl applications, carbaryl was monitored in tank mixtures, air, surface water, foliage and backyard fruits and vegetables.Results from the five urban areas – Porterville, Fresno, Rancho Cordova, Brentwood and Chico – showed there were no significanthuman exposures or impacts on the environment. Spray tank concentrations ranged from 0.1–0.32%. Carbaryl concentrationsin air ranged from none detected to 1.12 g m^-3, well below the interim health screening level in air of 51.7 g m^-3. There were three detections of carbaryl in surface water nearapplication sites: 0.125 ppb (parts per billion) from a water treatment basin; 6.94 ppb from a gold fish pond; and 1737 ppbin a rain runoff sample collected from a drain adjacent to a sprayed site. The foliar dislodgeable residues ranged from 1.54–7.12 g cm^-2, comparable to levels reported forsafe reentry of 2.4 to 5.6 g cm^-2 for citrus. Carbarylconcentrations in fruits and vegetables ranged from no detectableamounts to 7.56 ppm, which were below the U.S.EPA tolerance, allowable residue of 10 ppm.     

Intake of Chromium by the Adult Population of Mumbai City

Electro Thermal Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (ET-AAS), is used for the determination of chromium (Cr) in a variety of environmental matrices. The detection limit for the estimation of Cr is 2 pg absolute for a volume injection of 20 l. The precision of the method is established by analysing Cr from a synthetic mixture containing various elements in different qualities (0.5–10 ppm) and is found to be within ± 8%. The reliability of estimation is further assessed through the analysis of Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) of soil, hay, milk powder and lake sediment obtained from IAEA.The total intake of Cr through air, water and food works out to be 54 g/day for the adult population of Mumbai city. The dietary intake through food is the major contributor to the total intake of Cr. The concentration of Cr in atmospheric air and drinking water collected from different suburbs showed geometric mean concentrations of 0.09 g/m³ and 0.3 g/l, respectively. The daily intake of Cr, though lower, is closer to the lower bound of the recommended value of 50–200 g/day.     

Organochlorines and selenium in California night-heron and egret eggs

Exceptionally high concentrations of DDE were found in black-crowned night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) (geometric mean 8.62 g g^–1 wet wt.) and great egret (Casmerodius albus) (24.0 g g^–1) eggs collected from the Imperial Valley (Salton Sea), California in 1985. DDE concentrations in 14 of the 87 (16%) randomly selected night-heron eggs from six colonies (two in San Francisco Bay, three in the San Joaquin Valley, and one at Salton Sea) were higher than those associated with reduced reproductive success of night-herons (8 g g^–1). In addition, mean shell thickness of night-heron eggs collected from the San Joaquin Valley and from San Francisco Bay during 1982–1984 was significantly less than pre-DDT thickness and was negatively correlated (r=–0.50, n=75, P<0.0001) with DDE concentration. Mean selenium concentration in night-heron eggs from Salton Sea (1.10 g g^–1) was significantly higher than in eggs from three locations in the San Joaquin Valley, and in egret eggs from Salton Sea.     

Effect of Common Pesticides Used in the Niger Delta Basin of Southern Nigeria on Soil Microbial Populations

The effects of eleven pesticides on the populations of bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi and protozoa was investigated by treating a garden soil with their recommended rates. The microbial populations were estimated using the standard plate-count technique. Of the ll pesticides investigated, phenylmercuric acetate (agrosan) at 50 g g^-1 inhibited bacterial density the most, i.e. from 4,600,000 to 220 cells g^-1. The pesticides were Pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB), tetramethylmethylthiuram disulphide (thiram),1- naphthylmethylcarbamate (Vetox 85), 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane (Gammalin 20), phenylmercuric acetate (Agrosan), tetrachloroterephthalic acid (Dacthal), 4-nitrophenyl –2-nitro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl ether (Preforan), 2-ethyl-6-methyl –N-2-methoxy –1-methyl ethyl-chloroacetanide (Dual), Benlate, Brestan and Gramoxone. Pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) at 240,000 g g^-1 reduced bacterial population from 4,600,000 to 2,100 cells g^-1, whereas tetramethylthiuram disulphide (thiram) at 100 g g^-1 suppressed it by 2 log orders of magnitude. Soil application of 1-naphthylmethylcarbamate (Vetox 85) at 100 g g^-1 and 1,2,3,4,5,6,-hexachlorocyclohexane (Gamalin 20) at 1,300 g g^-1 repressed the bacterial numbers by 2 log orders of magnitude each. Pentachloronitrobenzene reduced the actinomycetes density from 340,000 to 320 cells g^-1 and completely eliminated all fungal and protozoan propagules from the soil. The Gammalin 20 completely wiped out all the fungi, whereas phenylmercuric acetate totally eliminated all the protozoa and reduced the fungal population from 34,000 to 60 cells g^-1. In general, protozoa and fungi were more susceptible to fungicides than bacteria and actinomycetes. Pentachloronitrobenzene, 1,2,3,4,5,6,-hexachlorocyclohexane and phenylmercuric acetate were toxic particularly to soil microorganisms, whereas the herbicides dacthal, Preforan and Dual were quite harmless in soil at application rates of 0.1, 0.06 and 0.02 g g^-1 respectively.     

Heavy Metal Concentrations in and Around Households Near a Secondary Lead Smelter

Housedusts and garden soils were sampled in 14 houses in the vicinity of a secondary Pb smelter and analysed for concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, As, and Hg. Sixty-one topsoil samples were also taken from a 2 km² grid covering the smelter grounds and surrounding residential areas and analysed for concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu. Contour maps generated from the grid data indicate significant contamination in the area (maximum Pb concentration 58 500 g g^-1), particularly down-wind of the smelter grounds. A geometric mean Pb concentration of 2225 g g^-1 was recorded in garden soil and similarly elevated levels were recorded for Zn, Cd, As and Sb. In housedusts, a geometric mean Pb concentration of 1668 g g^-1 was observed. Whilst housedust metal concentrations were generally elevated, compared to other urban or residential areas, there appears to be a large degree of attenuation of the metals between the exterior and interior environments of the homes studied. A significant correlation was not recorded between metal concentrations of garden soils and housedusts. There were significant correlations for: distance from the smelter against garden soil metal concentrations; garden soil metal concentrations against each other; housedust metal concentrations against each other; and house age against garden soil metal concentrations.     

Aldehyde Concentrations in Ambient Air of Coastal Georgia, U.S.A.

Aldehydes are an airborne byproduct of many industrialprocesses, vehicle transportation, and emissions fromnumerous natural sources. To characterize aldehydeconcentrations in ambient air of the Savannah, Georgiaarea, air samples for 3 aldehydes (formaldehyde,acetaldehyde, and propionaldehyde) were collected atfive sites on a monthly basis over a 12-month periodfrom December of 1995 through November 1996. Four ofthe sites were in central Savannah and the fifth sitewas located in a rural area about 56 km south ofSavannah. During each 24-hr sampling episode, sampleswere collected in two 12-hr periods approximatingdaylight and nighttime hours, following U.S. EPAMethod TO-11. Formaldehyde concentrations ranged from0.17 to 6.80 g m^-3, acetaldehydeconcentrations ranged from 0.07 to7.60 g m^-3, and propionaldehyde levels rangedfrom 0.02 to 9.10 g m^-3. On average, thefour sites in Savannah had higher aldehydeconcentrations than the rural site (2.0 versus1.2 g m^-3 for formaldehyde, 2.3 versus1.7 g m^-3 for acetaldehyde, and 1.2 versus1.0 g m^-3 for propionaldehyde). The daytimeconcentrations for formaldehyde and acetaldehyde werehigher than the nighttime levels. The data from allthe sites were within published worldwide backgroundvalues for aldehydes.     

Long term monitoring of pollutants in eggs of Yellow-legged Herring Gull from Capraia island (Tuscan Archipelago)

Chlorinated hydrocarbons (hexachlorobenzene, lindane, ppDDE, polychlorinated biphenyls) and trace elements (Hg, Se, Cd, Pb) were determined in eggs of Yellow-legged Herring Gull (Larus cachinnans) collected in an island of the Tyrrhenian Sea during the period 1981–1986. PCBs levels vary on the average between 30.4g g^–1 d.w. in 1981 to 56.1 g g^–1 d.w. in 1983. The capillary chromatograms revealed the presence of about 30 somers of PCBs without significant variations in the eggs of the same year; more than 50% of the residues is made up only three isomers: the 22'44'55', the 22'344'5' and the 22'344'55'. Average DDE residues were 7–8 times lower than those of PCBs and declined during the period (from 9.2 g g^–1 d.w. in 1981 to 4.5 g g^–1 d.w. in 1986). Cadmium and lead are present in low concentrations. The average levels of mercury and selenium are around 2–2.5 g g^–1 d.w., and a cumulative correlation, on a molar basis, exists between these two elements.     

An Evaluation of Selenium Concentrations in Water, Sediment, Invertebrates, and Fish from the Republican River Basin: 1997–1999

The Republican River Basin of Colorado,Nebraska, and Kansas lies in a valley which contains PierreShale as part of its geological substrata. Selenium is anindigenous constituent in the shale and is readily leached intosurrounding groundwater. The Basin is heavily irrigated throughthe pumping of groundwater, some of which is selenium-contaminated, onto fields in agricultural production. Water,sediment, benthic invertebrates, and/or fish were collected from46 sites in the Basin and were analyzed for selenium to determinethe potential for food-chain bioaccumulation, dietary toxicity,and reproductive effects of selenium in biota. Resultingselenium concentrations were compared to published guidelines orbiological effects thresholds. Water from 38% of the sites (n = 18) contained selenium concentrations exceeding 5 g L^-1, which is reported to be a high hazard for selenium accumulation into the planktonic food chain. An additional 12 sites (26% of the sites) contained selenium in water between 3–5 g L^-1, constituting a moderate hazard. Selenium concentrations in sedimentindicated little to no hazard for selenium accumulation fromsediments into the benthic food chain. Ninety-five percent ofbenthic invertebrates collected exhibited selenium concentrationsexceeding 3 g g^-1, a level reported as potentially lethal to fish and birds that consume them. Seventy-five percent of fish collected in 1997, 90% in 1998, and 64% in 1999 exceeded 4 g g^-1selenium, indicating a high potential for toxicity andreproductive effects. However, examination of weight profilesof various species of collected individual fish suggestedsuccessful recruitment in spite of selenium concentrations thatexceeded published biological effects thresholds for health andreproductive success. This finding suggested that universalapplication of published guidelines for selenium may beinappropriate or at least may need refinement for systems similarto the Republican River Basin. Additional research is needed todetermine the true impact of selenium on fish and wildliferesources in the Basin.     

Heavy Metal Contents and Magnetic Properties of Playground Dust in Hong Kong

This study examined the levels of seven heavy metals (namelyzinc, copper, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese and iron) andtheir associations with magnetic properties in playground dustof Hong Kong. Results showed that the playground dust containedhigh concentrations of Zn (mean = 1883 g g^-1), Cu(mean = 143 g g^-1) and Cr (mean = 263 g g^-1).Qualitative examination of dust samples under microscope indicated local traffic as one of the important pollutant sources. Magnetic measurements indicated that these anthropogenicpollutants mainly consisted of coarse-grained multidomain (MD) ferrimagnetic minerals. Superparamagnetic (SP), stable single domain (SSD) ferrimagnetic grains and non-ferrimagnetic mineralswere present in relatively small amounts. Significant correlations between heavy metals and various magnetic parametersindicated a strong affinity of heavy metals to magnetic minerals hence pointed out the potential of magnetic properties for simpleand rapid proxy indications of heavy metal pollution in playground dust.     

Simultaneous determination of parathion and p-nitrophenol in vegetable tissues by derivative spectrophotometry

A first derivative spectrophotometric method has been developedfor the determination of parathion and p-nitrophenol in vegetabletissues. Ethanol was used as solvent for extracting the compoundsfrom the tissues and subsequently the samples were evaluated against a vegetable tissue blank, directly by derivative spectrophotometry. The simultaneous determination of these compounds can be carried out using the zero-crossing approach for parathion at 253.0 nm and for p-nitrophenol at 273.1 nm. In the samples each analyte was determined in the presence of one another in the ranges between 4.9 to 3883.5 g g^-1 forparathion and 4.9 to 3285.3 g g^-1 for p-nitrophenol.The detection limits (3) were found to be 1.5 and 1.4 g g^-1 for parathion and p-nitrophenol, respectively. The relative standard deviations were in all instances less than1.8%. The proposed method was applied to the determination ofthe analytes in spiked leafs of corn. The results show a goodrecovery and they are in agreement with those obtained bypolarography.