Relationship between dietary exposure and serum perfluorochemical (PFC) levels—A case study

Daily dietary intake of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in relation to serum levels was assessed by determination of nine PFCs including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in matched daily diet duplicates and serum samples. Diet and serum were collected in year 2004 from 20 women in Osaka and Miyagi, Japan. Only PFOS and PFOA were detected in the diet samples and no significant difference between cities was seen. After adjusted by water content, diet concentration of PFOA was significantly higher in Osaka. The median daily intake calculated using the measured diet concentrations was 1.47 ng PFOS/kg b.w. and 1.28 ng PFOA/kg b.w. for Osaka, and 1.08 ng PFOS/kg b.w. and 0.72 ng PFOA/kg b.w. for Miyagi. A significant difference between cities was seen for the serum concentrations with median of 31 ng/mL PFOS and PFOA in Osaka, compared to 14 ng/mL PFOS and 4.6 ng/mL PFOA in Miyagi. Carboxylates such as perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) were also detected in serum at median levels 6.9 ng/mL and 3.2 ng/mL (Osaka), and 2.8 ng/mL and 5.1 ng/mL (Miyagi). Based on one-compartment model under steady state, dietary intake of PFOS and PFOA accounted for only 22.4% and 23.7% of serum levels in Osaka females, and in contrast 92.5% and 110.6% in Miyagi females, respectively.     

Saharan dust,particulate matter and cause-specific mortality: A case–crossover study in Barcelona (Spain)

BackgroundStudies measuring health effects of Saharan dust based on large particulate matter (PM) fraction groups may be masking some effects. Long distant transport reduces the amount of heavier and larger particles in the Saharan air masses increasing the relative contribution of smaller particles that may be more innocuous. This study investigates the association between different PM fractions and daily mortality during Saharan and non-Saharan days in Barcelona, Spain.MethodsWe collected daily PM₁, PM_2.5–1 and PM_10–2.5 fractions, and cause-specific mortality (cardiovascular, respiratory and cerebrovascular) between March 2003 and December 2007. Changes of effects between Saharan and non-Saharan dust days were assessed using a time-stratified case–crossover design.ResultsDuring non-Saharan dust days we found statistically significant (p < 0.05) effects of PM_10–2.5 for cardiovascular (odds ratio for increase of an interquartile range, OR = 1.033, 95% confidence interval: 1.006–1.060) and respiratory mortality (OR = 1.044, 95% CI: 1.001–1.089). During Saharan dust days strongest cardiovascular effects were found for the same fraction (OR = 1.085, 95% CI: 1.017–1.158) with an indication of effect modification (p = 0.111). Effects of PM_2.5–1 during Saharan dust days were about the double than in non-dust days for cardiovascular and respiratory mortality, but these differences were not statistically significant.ConclusionOur results using independent fractions of PMs provide further evidence that the effects of short-term exposure to PM during Saharan dust days are associated with both cardiovascular and respiratory mortality. A better understanding of which of the different PM size fractions brought by Saharan dust is more likely to accelerate adverse effects may help better understand mechanisms of toxicity.     

Perfluoroalkyl substances in polar bear mother–cub pairs: A comparative study based on plasma levels from 1998 and 2008

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are protein-binding blood-accumulating contaminants that may have detrimental toxicological effects on the early phases of mammalian development. To enable an evaluation of the potential health risks of PFAS exposure for polar bears (Ursus maritimus), an exposure assessment was made by examining plasma levels of PFASs in polar bear mothers in relation to their suckling cubs-of-the-year (~ 4 months old). Samples were collected at Svalbard in 1998 and 2008, and we investigated the between-year differences in levels of PFASs. Seven perfluorinated carboxylic acids (∑₇PFCAs: PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFDoDA, and PFTrDA) and two perfluorinated sulfonic acids (∑₂PFSAs: PFHxS and PFOS) were detected in the majority of the mothers and cubs from both years. In mothers and cubs, most PFCAs were detected in higher concentrations in 2008 than in 1998. On the contrary, levels of PFOS were lower in 2008 than in 1998, while levels of PFHxS did not differ between the two sampling years. PFOS was the dominating compound in mothers and cubs both in 1998 and in 2008. Concentration of PFHpA did not differ between mothers and cubs, while concentrations of PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFDoDA, PFTrDA, PFHxS, and PFOS were higher in mothers than in their cubs. Except from PFHpA, all compounds correlated significantly between mothers and their cubs. The mean cub to mother ratios ranged from 0.15 for PFNA to 1.69 for PFHpA. On average (mean ± standard error of mean), the levels of ∑₇PFCAs and ∑₂PFSAs in cubs were 0.24 ± 0.01 and 0.22 ± 0.01 times the levels in their mothers, respectively. Although maternal transfer appears to be a substantial source of exposure for the cubs, the low cub to mother ratios indicate that maternal transfer of PFASs in polar bears is relatively low in comparison with hydrophobic contaminants (e.g. PCBs). Because the level of several PFASs in mothers and cubs from both sampling years exceeded the levels associated with health effects in humans, our findings raise concern on the potential health effects of PFASs in polar bears from Svalbard. Effort should be made to examine the potential health effects of PFASs in polar bears.     

Significant rainfall decreases and variations of the atmospheric circulation in the Mediterranean (1950–2000)

This paper aims at identifying the link between significant rainfall decreases (1950–2000) in the Mediterranean basin and the atmospheric circulation at the 500 hPa level. The months and seasons of the subregions with significant rainfall decrease during this period have been identified previously (Norrant and Douguédroit, Theor Appl Climatol 83(1–4):89–106, 2006): October in the Mediterranean Iberia, March in the Atlantic Iberia, January and winter in Greece, and winter in the Near East. Canonical Correlation Analyses based on the monthly and daily data records from 62 rainfall stations and 138 grid points at the 500 hPa level over a Euro-Atlantic window were first calculated to define the TeleConnection Patterns explaining significant regional rainfall decreases. Then, 500 hPa level weather types (ZWTs) of the rainy days with important or little rainfall associated with each Teleconnection Pattern were identified in each subregion. Rainfall-causing disturbances from the Atlantic reach Iberia directly; some of them are regenerated if they reach the Mediterranean. Other disturbances are generated locally near Greece and the Near East (Meteorological Office in Weather in the Mediterranean I: general meteorology, Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, London, 1962). The relationship between significant rainfall decreases and the corresponding 500 hPa level appears to be a nonlinear phenomenon. In all of the studied subregions, a break during the 1970s separates two subperiods differing significantly from each other. Rainfall decrease is due to the higher frequency of important rainfall ZWTs over low rainfall ZWTs, during the first period, which the opposite is true during the second period. Such an inversion could be partially linked with the prevailing North Atlantic Oscillation-positive phase during the last quarter of the twentieth century.     

A crossover–crossback prospective study of dibutyl-phthalate exposure from mesalamine medications and semen quality in men with inflammatory bowel disease

BackgroundPhthalates are widely used chemicals with ubiquitous exposure. Dibutyl-phthalate (DBP), a male reproductive toxicant in animals, is understudied in humans. Some mesalamine medications used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have DBP in their coating, whereas other mesalamine formulations do not.ObjectivesTaking advantage of differences in mesalamine formulations, we investigated whether high-DBP exposure from mesalamine medications was associated with decreased semen parameters.Methods73 men with IBD taking mesalamine participated in a crossover-crossback prospective study. Men taking non-DBP containing mesalamine at baseline i.e., background exposure, crossed-over for four months to high-DBP mesalamine and then crossed-back for four months to their non-DBP mesalamine (B₁HB₂-arm;Background₁-High-Background₂) and vice versa for men taking high-DBP mesalamine at baseline (H₁BH₂-arm;High₁-Background-High₂). Men provided up to six semen samples (2: baseline, 2: crossover and 2: crossback).ResultsWe estimated crossover, crossback and carryover effects using linear mixed models adjusted for abstinence time, age, season and duration on high-DBP mesalamine at baseline. Semen parameters in B₁HB₂-arm (26 men, 133 samples) decreased after high-DBP mesalamine exposure (crossover versus baseline), especially motility parameters, and continued to decrease further even after crossback to non-DBP mesalamine (crossback versus crossover). The cumulative carryover effect of high-DBP (crossback versus baseline) was a decrease of % total sperm motility by 7.61(CI:− 13.1, − 2.15), % progressive sperm motility by 4.23(CI:− 8.05, − 0.4) and motile sperm count by 26.0% (CI:− 46.2%, 1.7%). However, H₁BH₂-arm (47 men, 199 samples) had no significant change during crossover or crossback.ConclusionsMen newly exposed to high-DBP mesalamine for four months had a cumulative reduction in several semen parameters, primarily sperm motility, that was more pronounced and statistically significant even after exposure ended for four months.     

Energy flows in the coffee plantations of Costa Rica: from traditional to modern systems (1935–2010)

Regional Environmental Change - This article addresses energy flows in the coffee agro-ecosystems of Costa Rica within the context of the socio-ecological transition, between 1935 and 2010,...     

From vineyards to feedlots: a fund-flow scanning of sociometabolic transition in the Vallès County (Catalonia) 1860–1956–1999

Regional Environmental Change - We analyse the changes to agricultural metabolism in four municipalities of Vallès County (Catalonia, Iberia) by accounting for their agroecosystem funds and...     

A landscape approach for quantifying land-use and land-cover change (1976–2006) in middle Himalaya

With the growth of socio-economic activities, natural land cover is being modified for various development purposes. This has increased the rate of land-use and land-cover changes (LULCC), and thus, affecting the overall ecosystem health. LULCC mapping is an important tool for land management and monitoring. This paper presents LULCC analysis using remotely sensed data integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS). LULCC was quantified using Markov analysis, and the associated probability of change for each class was predicted. Landscape metrics were also used to quantify the spatial and temporal changes in the area. The unique combination of these techniques support the conclusion that with increasing human activities, (1) the deforestation rate has increased, (2) forested areas have become increasingly fragmented, and (3) the forested areas have the highest probability of getting converted to some other land-use and land-cover (LULC) class.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in marine mammals from Arctic and North Atlantic regions, 1986–2009

A selection of PBDE congeners was analyzed in pooled blubber samples of pilot whale (Globicephala melas), ringed seal (Phoca hispida), minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) and Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus), covering a time period of more than 20 years (1986–2009). The analytes were extracted and cleaned-up using open column extraction and multi-layer silica gel column chromatography, and the analysis was performed on a GC-MS system operating in the NCI mode. The highest PBDE levels were found in the toothed whale species pilot whale and white-sided dolphin, and the lowest levels in fin whales and ringed seals. One-sided analyses of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey comparisons of means were applied to test for differences between years and sampling areas. Due to inter-year sampling variability, only general comparisons of PBDE concentrations between different sampling areas could be made. Differences in PBDE concentrations between three sampling periods, from 1986 to 2007, were evaluated in samples of pilot whales, ringed seals, white-sided dolphins and hooded seals. The highest PBDE levels were found in samples from the late 1990s or beginning of 2000, possibly reflecting the increase in the global production of technical PBDE mixtures in the 1990s. The levels of BDE #153 and #154 increased relative to the total PBDE concentration in some of the species in recent years, which may indicate an increased relative exposure to higher brominated congeners. In order to assess the effect of measures taken in legally binding international agreements, it is important to continuously monitor POPs such as PBDEs in sub-Arctic and Arctic environments.     

Selection of (bio) indicators to assess effects of freshwater use in wetlands: a case study of s’Albufera de Mallorca, Spain

Parc Natural sAlbufera de Mallorca is an internationally recognised resting area for a wide array of migratory birds, and like most wetlands it has many other ecological functions and socio-economic values. In the catchment, in which the wetland is situated, expanding tourism and intensification of agriculture place much pressure on a limited amount of freshwater. The freshwater supply to the wetland decreased due to water-extraction mainly driven by intensification of agriculture in the catchment. As a result saltwater intrusion increased since 1983–1985. This had considerable impacts on the ecological integrity of the wetland as reflected by changes in the state of the aquatic ecosystem. The distribution of submerged plants, less tolerant of salinity, declined or disappeared, while the distribution of species, known to prefer high salinity increased. As a contribution to the development of monitoring programs and management strategies that address both socio-economic and natural water demand, this article will formulate ecological criteria to assess the natural water demand by selection of (bio)indicators within the aquatic ecosystem.     

A situational analysis of Cameroon’s Technical Operation Units (TOUs) in the context of the landscape approach: critical issues and perspectives

The integrated landscape approach is re-emerging in the global agenda as an approach which can give a fair deal to landscape functions such as climate change response, biodiversity conservation, food security, poverty reduction and economic growth. However, transformational change might be required to enable landscapes respond to these different functions. This is due to the sensitive nature of landscapes to local, national and global economic, social and political drivers. Based on national policy instruments, this paper presents a situational analysis of the landscape concept in Cameroon, operationalized as Technical Operation Units (TOUs) and in the context of the present institutional, social, economic and political features, it examines the rationale for a landscape approach in Cameroon. We notice potential trade-offs, indicating that the landscape approach is an opportunity for TOUs in Cameroon. Firstly, TOUs are characterized by multiple resource regimes with overlapping claims each having a legal land allocation and management plan. Secondly, TOUs are characterized by different stakeholders, with different land-use interests and motives, each controlling key components in the landscapes. Thirdly, the interests and motives of stakeholders overlap spatially and are connected to different sectoral policies at the national level. This setting might threaten decision making and the sustainability potentials of landscapes. Nonetheless, we propose areas for in-depth studies to generate knowledge and information to orientate win–win policy construction for landscapes. This is relevant for the social, ecological and economic objectives that underpin the sustainable development goals proposed in the post-2015 development agenda.     

Unexpected high PCB and total DDT levels in the breeding population of red kite (Milvus milvus) from Doñana National Park, south-western Spain

This study provides information on the current status of contamination by organochlorines (DDTs, PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs) in the declining red kite (Milvus milvus L.) population breeding in the Do?ana National Park (DNP), south-western Spain. Analyses were performed in addled eggs collected between 1999 and 2001. DDE concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 33.5 microg/g ww, representing more than 86% of the total DDTs. Of the samples studied, 50% showed DDE levels above those associated with reproductive impairment in other raptor species. Concentrations of ortho PCBs (average 36.8 microg/g ww+/-37.7) in 50% of the eggs were much higher than levels reported to cause reduced hatching success, embryo mortality, and deformities in birds (>20 microg/g ww). It is remarkable that average ortho PCB and DDE concentrations showed an increase of one order of magnitude compared to previous data for the species during the 80s. Total PCDD/Fs showed levels in the low pg/g range (7.2-42 pg/g ww), having PCDDs and PCDFs similar contributions in most samples. Total mean TEQs were 238 pg/g (ww), being the range 7.02-667 pg/g (ww). Spatial variation within DNP was observed for PCBs, DDTs, as well as for TEQs. Since some eggs exceeded the NOEL (67%) and LOEL (33%) reported for other raptor species, we would expect the red kite to experience detrimental effects to dioxin-like toxicity. Our results suggest that organochlorine contaminants should be regarded as an element of concern in the population under study, in addition to other conservation problems already reported. Further investigations should be undertaken to identify potential sources of these chemicals in DNP, and to find out if organochlorine contamination is present in other predator species in the area, as well as their potential health effects on individuals and/or populations.     

Shared environment,diversity of pathways: dynamics of family farming in the Saïs Plain (Morocco)

Regional Environmental Change - The sustainability of family farming and its capacity to respond to global changes are widely debated. Based on a survey of 40 farms on the Saïs Plain in...     

Ra–Po–Pb isotope systematics in waters of Sambhar Salt Lake,Rajasthan (India): geochemical characterization and particulate reactivity

The Sambhar Salt Lake hydrological system, including river waters, groundwaters, evaporating pans and sub-surface brines, has been analyzed for the salt content (TDS) and naturally occurring radionuclides (²¹⁰Po, ²¹⁰Pb and ^226,228Ra). The abundance of these radionuclides and their activity ratios show a wide variation in different hydrological regimes, which helps to geochemically characterize the lake system. A significantly lower Ra to total dissolved solids (TDS) ratio in the brines (by two to three orders of magnitude), when compared to the groundwaters and river waters, suggests removal of dissolved Ra by co-precipitation with Ca–Mg minerals at an early stage of the brine evolution. The concentration of Ra in evaporating lake/pan waters saturates at a value of about 35 Bq L⁻¹ over the salinity range of 100–370 g L⁻¹; attributable to its equilibration with the clay minerals. The two distinct regimes, saline lake system (lake water, evaporating pans and sub-surface brines) and groundwaters have been identified based on their differences in the distribution of ^226,228Ra isotopes. This observation points to the conclusion that the groundwaters and the lake brines are not intimately coupled in terms of their origin and evolution. The abundances of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb along with their activity ratios (²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb) are markedly different among the surface lake waters/evaporating pans, sub-surface lake brines and groundwaters. These differences are explained in terms of different geochemical behaviour of these nuclides in presence of algae and organic matter present in these water regimes.     

Persistent organic pollutants exposure during pregnancy,maternal gestational weight gain,and birth outcomes in the mother–child cohort in Crete,Greece (RHEA study)

BackgroundPersistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pesticides bioaccumulate through the food chain and cross the placenta. POPs are developmental toxicants in animals but the epidemiological evidence on pregnancy outcomes is inconsistent. Maternal gestational weight gain has been recently suggested as a key factor explaining the association between PCBs with lower birth weight.AimsWe examined whether in utero exposure to current low levels of different POPs is associated with fetal growth and gestational age in a mother–child cohort in Crete, Greece (Rhea study), and evaluated specifically whether maternal gestational weight gain may affect this association.MethodsWe included 1117 mothers and their newborns from the Rhea study. Mothers were interviewed and blood samples collected during the first trimester of pregnancy. Information on birth outcomes was retrieved from medical records. Concentrations of several PCBs, other organochlorine compounds (dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene [DDE], dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane [DDT] and hexachlorobenzene [HCB]) and one polybrominated diphenyl ether congener (tetra-bromodiphenyl ether [BDE-47]), were determined in maternal serum by triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Multiple linear regression models were used to investigate the associations of birth weight, gestational age, and head circumference with each compound individually on the log₁₀ scale, and with combined exposures through the development of an exposure score.ResultsIn multivariate models, birth weight was negatively associated with increasing levels of HCB (β = − 161.1 g; 95% CI: − 296.6, − 25.7) and PCBs (β = − 174.1 g; 95% CI: − 332.4, − 15.9); after further adjustment for gestational weight gain these estimates were slightly reduced (β = − 154.3 g; 95% CI: − 300.8, − 7.9 for HCB and β = − 135.7 g; 95% CI: − 315.4, 43.9 for PCBs). Furthermore, in stratified analysis, the association between POPs and birth weight was only observed in women with inadequate or excessive gestational weight gain. Small, negative associations were observed with head circumference while no association was observed with gestational age.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that prenatal exposure to PCBs and HCB impairs fetal growth and adds to the growing literature that demonstrates an association between low-level environmental pollutant exposure and fetal growth. Furthermore our results suggest that the association of POPs, maternal gestational weight gain and birth weight is probably more complex than that previously hypothesized.     

Novel exposure biomarkers of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET): Data from the 2007–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BackgroundN,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) is a widely used insect repellent in the United States.ObjectivesTo assess exposure to DEET in a representative sample of persons 6 years and older in the U.S. general population from the 2007–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.MethodsWe analyzed 5348 urine samples by using online solid-phase extraction coupled to isotope dilution-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We used regression models to examine associations of various demographic parameters with urinary concentrations of DEET biomarkers.ResultsWe detected DEET in ~ 3% of samples and at concentration ranges (> 0.08 μg/L–45.1 μg/L) much lower than those of 3-(diethylcarbamoyl)benzoic acid (DCBA) (> 0.48 μg/L–30,400 μg/L) and N,N-diethyl-3-hydroxymethylbenzamide (DHMB) (> 0.09 μg/L–332 μg/L). DCBA was the most frequently detected metabolite (~ 84%). Regardless of survey cycle and the person's race/ethnicity or income, adjusted geometric mean concentrations of DCBA were higher in May–Sep than in Oct–Apr. Furthermore, non-Hispanic whites in the warm season were more likely than in the colder months [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 10.83; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.28–35.79] and more likely than non-Hispanic blacks (OR = 3.45; 95% CI, 1.51–7.87) to have DCBA concentrations above the 95th percentile.ConclusionsThe general U.S. population, including school-age children, is exposed to DEET. However, reliance on DEET as the sole urinary biomarker would likely underestimate the prevalence of exposure. Instead, oxidative metabolites of DEET are the most adequate exposure biomarkers. Differences by season of the year based on demographic variables including race/ethnicity likely reflect different lifestyle uses of DEET-containing products.     

How changes in diet and trade patterns have shaped the N cycle at the national scale: Spain (1961–2009)

During the last five decades (1961–2009), Spain has experienced a considerable expansion in the nutrient cycle of its agricultural sector and, in particular, a threefold increase in anthropogenic reactive nitrogen inputs, from 536 Gg N year^?1 in 1961–1965 to 1673 Gg N year^?1 in 2005–2009. Import of feed (soybean, cereals, and cakes) from America and Europe to supply a growing livestock population constitutes the largest share of this increase, along with intensification of synthetic fertilizer use. While in the early 1960s, Spain was nearly self-sufficient in terms of food and feed supply, the net import of agricultural products presently equals domestic crop production, when expressed in terms of nitrogen content (ca. 650 Gg N year^?1). The most important driver of this shift appears to be the rapid change in domestic consumption patterns, which evolved from a typical Mediterranean diet to an animal-protein-rich diet similar to the North European and American diets. Besides livestock production mostly for national consumption, the Spanish agricultural system has specialized in vegetal products with low N content such as olive oil, wine, vegetables, and citrus fruit, which are for the most part exported. The nitrogen load exported outside the Spanish borders by rivers is very low (6.5 % of the total net N input). As a result of the high import and low export of reactive nitrogen, the Spanish mainland is suffering from considerable pollution by local emissions of reactive nitrogen forms to air and water.