The concentration of Cu and Pb in the funnel spider Eratigena atrica (C. L. Koch 1843) (Araneae: Agelenidae) and its web

Studies on the heavy metal concentrations on spider webs in relation to the pathways of pollution penetration (external and internal) have yet to be performed. This work assesses the concentration levels of two heavy metals: essential copper (Cu) and toxic lead (Pb) in spider webs and spiders (females, males and juveniles). Spiders divided into three treatment groups were exposed to the heavy metals in their diet as prey (fruit flies and mealworms larvae) were artificially contaminated with Cu and Pb. In general, we found higher rates of Cu compared to Pb concentrations in spiders and their webs. A positive correlation between levels of Cu and Pb in webs and spiders was found. Males had higher concentrations of both metals Cu and Pb in their bodies and webs compared to females. In an additional experiment, washed webs had significantly less metals than unwashed suggesting the dominance of external pollution in the contamination pathway.     

Biosorption of Cr(VI) from wastewater using Sorghastrum Nutans L. Nash

Sorghastrum Nutans L. Nash is used as an adsorbent for the removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater. Adsorption coupled reduction i.e. indirect reduction is the mechanism of Cr(VI) removal by the biomaterial. The adsorbent surface became highly positively charged at lower pH, adsorption rate of Cr(VI) is faster and reduction reaction also accelerates at lower pH since the binding of negatively charged Cr(VI) ion species to the cationic groups is enhanced and protons take part in this reaction. The adsorbent is characterised by using XRD, FTIR, SEM and EDAX analysis. OH bending, CN stretching/bending and NH stretching play a major role in Chromium adsorption. Experimental values follow pseudo-second order reaction and Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Surface diffusion is the rate controlling mechanism for the process. The maximum percentage of Cr(VI) removal obtained is 75.5% with 7?g/L dosage at pH 1.3 and adsorbate concentration was 100?mg/L. From the normal probability, residual, contour, 3D surface, main effect and interaction plot along with t-test, ANOVA, and F-test, it is observed that pH has the most significant effect on the percentage removal followed by adsorbent dosage and time. The adsorbate concentration has the least effects and interaction effects are found to be significant.     

A farewell to Dr Thomas Knacker (* 29.04.1951 – ? 30.10.2011): scientific contributions and personal memories

Background

The bioaccumulation potential of chemical substances is commonly determined in flow-through fish tests according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) technical guideline (TG) 305, aiming at the determination of bioconcentration factors (BCF). Investigations on aquatic organisms have shown a significant positive correlation between the accumulation of a chemical and the lipid content of organisms. Residue levels can thus differ between individuals, species, and size groups depending on their lipid content. BCF values can be normalized by lipid content; however, this requires the use of appropriate extraction techniques to ensure the complete extraction of total lipids from fish/tissue samples. The OECD TG 305 is currently under revision. A literature review was carried out to select preferred methods which shall be included in the updated OECD TG 305 along with a sampling schedule for lipid measurement in fish.

Results

An overview and appraisal of a broad range of lipid extraction methods is presented. Extraction procedures applied in bioaccumulation studies described in the literature and procedures currently used for such studies by governmental, academic, and industrial labs are surveyed. Possible impacts of unsuitable extraction techniques on lipid normalized BCF results were assessed. Default values for BCF normalization commonly used in bioaccumulation studies are described. The effect of differences in residue distribution over different organs and/or lipids on the normalization of BCF values is discussed.

Conclusions

A broad range of procedures for lipid extraction are available. However, only the use of suitable extraction techniques guarantees the complete extraction of total lipids from fish samples in bioaccumulation studies which is required to ensure the correct lipid normalization of BCF values. Preferred methods for inclusion in the updated OECD 305 test guideline as well as a standard schedule for lipid measurements are suggested.     

Humic substances. Part III. sorptive interactions with environmental chemicals†

The formation of covalent binding to DNA of a carcinogen is now widely accepted to represent a classical mechanism of tumour induction in mammals. This mechanism does not operate with metals since no covalent binding of these agents to DNA does occur. Nevertheless, somatic mutations as typical consequences of DNA‐damage have been reported to be induced by metals in various model systems. Beside DNA‐alkylation such damages can be caused by changes in the conformation of DNA or in the fidelity of DNA‐repair. The activity of the repair enzymes DNA‐polymerases is indeed impaired by many metal ions at least in vitro. It is not yet established whether these mechanisms are also important in the intact mammalian organism. Much evidence has accumulated during the last years that a disturbance of the balance of cations and especially metal ions represents another possible mechanism of tumour induction. The tumours found with high doses of chelating agents such as nitrilo‐triacetic acid (NTA) have to be discussed in this context. Since most—if not—all of the speculative mechanisms of metal carcinogenesis resemble classical pharmacological reactions the existence of a threshold level is likely. So metal carcinogenesis will not be a problem of the environmental contamination at trace levels but a problem of occupational medicine.     

Biological Decolorization of C.I. Basic Green 4 Solution by Chlorella sp.： Effect of Operational Parameters

In recent years, the ability of microorganisms to decolorize textile wastewater has received great attention due to the environmental persistence and toxicity of these pollutants. In this paper biological decolorization of triphenylmethane dye, C.I. Basic Green 4 (BG 4), by Chlorella species was investigated. The effect of operational parameters (temperature, pH, initial dye concentration and algal concentration) on decolorization efficiency was examined. Results indicated that the desired initial pH was 9. The stability and efficiency of the algae in long-term repetitive operations were also examined. Michaelis-Menten kinetics was employed to describe the apparent correlation between the decolorization rate and dye concentration. The optimal kinetic parameters, Vmax (specific decolorization rate) and Km (maximum specific decolorization rate) were 4.6 mg dye g cell-1 h-1and 151.0 mg L-1, respectively. Fig 10, Tab 2, Ref24     

Trace analysis. Determination of the “breakthrough volume”; (B.T.V.) of atmospheric isoprene

This paper presents the first results of a study of B.T.V. on Tenax TA, at various flow rates of sampling, with standard isoprene gaseous mixtures whose concentration ranging from 0.7 ppbV to 4 ppbV was very similar to the concentrations found in natural atmosphere. The method used is based on the exploitation of chromatographic signals obtained from a preconcentration—thermodesorption —analysis cycle carried out on a standard isoprene mixture. The B.T.V. of isoprene on Tenax TA does not show a significant change at very low concentrations of isoprene.     

Analysis,accumulation and central effects of trihalomethanes. I. bromoform†

The paper presents the results obtained in a study on the effects of organic micropollutants on the central nervous system of the rat, used herein as a suitable model for neurotoxicologic work. Bromoform, a member of the trihalomethane (THM) family, was the pollutant selected since it becomes a characteristic marker in the Barcelona potable water supply.

Analytical data on the GC‐ECD separation of THMs from other volatile halocarbons is presented. A mixed packed column 10% SE‐30/PEG 20M (94:6) at 70°C provides an adequate separation. The distribution of bromoform in rat plasma and tissues showed an accumulation in brain, kidney and fat, increasing in this order and a rapid elimination after 30 min. The effect on the central aminergic metabolism is studied by HPLC. The increased metabolic activity detected could be attributed either to an increased nervous activity, stimulating the metabolism of serotonin, or to its greater degradation.     

Organic acid profile and phenolic and sugar content in Salix purpurea × viminalis L. cultivated with different spent mushroom substrate and copper additions

The aim of the study was to determine the response of Salix purpurea?×?viminalis L. growing on Pleurotus ostreatus spent mushroom substrate (SMS) with different copper (Cu) addition. The content of Cu in roots, leaves and shoots was reduced by SMS addition. A decrease of biomass was observed with simultaneous Cu concentration increase. SMS induced leaf and root elongation of Cu-treated plants. Variation in the profile of low molecular weight organic acids with the domination of oxalic and acetic acids was observed. The total phenolic content significantly increased for plants cultivated with SMS, while the biosynthesis of salicylic acid was considerably weakened. The content of sugars was generally reduced by SMS. Alteration in the level of the stress-related molecules suggests mitigation of the harmful effect of Cu on Salix hybrid metabolism by SMS addition. This pointed to the possibility of using SMS in contaminated soil to reduce the toxic effect of metals on plants used in phytoextraction.     

Growth promotion and disease prevention effects of streptomyces on Amorphophallus konjac K. Koch ex N.E.Br北大核心CSCD

This study aimed to evaluate the disease antagonism and seed growth promotion effects of streptomyces on Amorphophallus konjac by agar block and axenic fermentation extract experiments. Pot experiments were taken to assess relative biocontrol effiency and effect of streptomyce preparation M (mixture of S. carnosus and S. pactum in solid-state fermentation with 1:1 ratio) on biomass, photosynthetic rate, yield and corm quality of A. konjac K. Koch ex N.E.Br. Results showed that: 1 Streptomyces Act12 had obvious antagonistic activity against six soft rot pathogens, and the diameter of growth inhibition zones ranged from 19.4 to 31.6 mm. Fermentation filtrate of streptomyces exhibited growth-promoting activity on melon seed germination and seedling growth. 2 Streptomyce-derived viable preparations had biocontrol effect on A. konjac regarding soft rot-disease prevention. In the pot experiment, individual inoculation of preparations achieved 65.0% relative biocontrol effect on A. konjac during the harvest stage. After 10 and 20 days of inoculation combined with Pectobacterium chrysanthemi (a bacterial pathogen), the relative biocontrol effiency of streptomyces were 100.0% and 58.4%, respectively. 3 Streptomyces showed obvious growth-promoting effect on growth and yield of A. konjac. In the pot experiment, combined inoculation of streptomyces and Pectobacterium chrysanthemi significantly increased the petiole diameter by 11.1%, net photosynthetic rate by 111.7%, fresh weight of corm by 54.8%, fresh weight of rhizome by 304.2%, and the number of rhizomes by 200.0%, compared with individual inoculation of Pectobacterium chrysanthemi. 4 Individual inoculation with streptomyces improved corm quality of A. konjac. The contents of glucomannan, starch and cellulose significantly increased by 14.0%, 8.1% and 27.7%, respectively compared with control (P < 0.05) . This study indicates that streptomyces promotes the growth of A. konjac, enhances the yield and the content of glucomannan, and at the same time helps disease prevention of A. konjac.     

镉胁迫对续断菊Sonchus asper L.Hill.根系分泌物的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究了不同Cd质量分数（0、50、100、200 mg.kg-1）对续断菊Sonchus asper L.Hill.根系分泌总有机酸、游离氨基酸、可溶性糖的影响,旨在探明根系分泌物对续断菊超积累Cd的影响。结果表明：Cd胁迫下续断菊根系分泌总有机酸、游离氨基酸和可溶性糖的质量浓度显著增加,同时,总有机酸、可溶性糖和游离氨基酸又促进了植株对Cd的吸收。随着Cd处理质量分数的增加,续断菊地上部和根部镉质量分数显著增加,90 d时续断菊地上部镉质量分数与可溶性糖、游离氨基酸的质量浓度呈极显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.999（P〈0.01）和0.995（P〈0.01）,根部镉质量分数与可溶性糖、游离氨基酸的质量浓度也呈显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.998（P〈0.01）和0.987（P〈0.05）;Cd对续断菊根系可溶性糖的分泌、游离氨基酸的合成有刺激作用,根系分泌的可溶性糖和游离氨基酸可能在续断菊累积镉的过程中有重要作用。     

镉胁迫对续断菊Sonchus asper L.Hill.根系分泌物的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究了不同Cd质量分数(0、50、100、200 mg.kg-1)对续断菊Sonchus asper L.Hill.根系分泌总有机酸、游离氨基酸、可溶性糖的影响,旨在探明根系分泌物对续断菊超积累Cd的影响。结果表明:Cd胁迫下续断菊根系分泌总有机酸、游离氨基酸和可溶性糖的质量浓度显著增加,同时,总有机酸、可溶性糖和游离氨基酸又促进了植株对Cd的吸收。随着Cd处理质量分数的增加,续断菊地上部和根部镉质量分数显著增加,90 d时续断菊地上部镉质量分数与可溶性糖、游离氨基酸的质量浓度呈极显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.999(P<0.01)和0.995(P<0.01),根部镉质量分数与可溶性糖、游离氨基酸的质量浓度也呈显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.998(P<0.01)和0.987(P<0.05);Cd对续断菊根系可溶性糖的分泌、游离氨基酸的合成有刺激作用,根系分泌的可溶性糖和游离氨基酸可能在续断菊累积镉的过程中有重要作用。