Levels of synthetic musk compounds in municipal wastewater for potential estimation of biota exposure in receiving waters

We analyzed water samples from the confluence of three municipal sewage treatment effluent streams, surface water, and whole carp (Cyprinus carpio) for synthetic musks for a period of 7-12 months. The lipid content of each fish was determined and compared with the concentration of musks in the whole fish tissue. Enhanced methods were used for water sampling and musk extraction. The data presented here provide insight as to the relationship between concentrations of synthetic musks in the municipal effluent and associated biota. This study confirmed the presence of polycyclic and nitro musk compounds in sewage effluent, Lake Mead water, and carp. The concentrations were found to be considerably lower than previous studies conducted in other countries. This study also provides data for polycyclic and nitro musk compounds, as well as some of the nitro musk metabolites in sewage treatment plant effluent, lake water, and carp.     

Determination of synthetic musk compounds in sewage biosolids by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A review of sewage sludge regulations and land application practices by the United States National Research Council (2002) recommended development of improved analytical techniques to adequately identify and quantify new chemical contaminants, such as synthetic musk compounds in Class A sewage sludge (i.e., biosolids). This prompted the development of a rugged analytical method using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry to detect this group of organic pollutants in biosolids. In this paper, the term "biosolids" is used interchangeably with "sewage sludge", which is defined in the regulations and used in the statue (Clean Water Act). Samples of Class A biosolids obtained from sewage treatment plants in Los Angeles, California, the City of Las Vegas, Nevada, and also in the form of a commercial fertilizer, were extracted using pressurized liquid extraction technique, subjected to gel permeation chromatography clean-up, and analyzed by GC/MS using the selected ion monitoring mode. The method developed has the potential to detect synthetic musk compounds in complex matrices, may provide accurate data useful in human health and environmental risk assessment, and may be useful in determining the efficacy of municipal sewage treatment plants for removing synthetic musk compounds.     

Losses of biota from American aquatic communities due to acid rain

Models based on chemical survey data and geochemical assumptions were calibrated for areas where rates of acidification are known, then used to predict the declines in alkalinity and pH of lakes in the eastern and midwestern U.S.A. These results were combined with known acid tolerances of different taxonomic groups to estimate the extent of damage caused by acid rain to biological assemblages.An average of over 50% of the species in some taxonomic groups have probably been eliminated from lakes in the Adirondacks, Poconos-Catskills and southern New England. Moderate damage to biotic communities was predicted for lakes in central New England, and north-central Wisconsin. Damage predicted in Maine, upper Michigan, northeastern Minnesota and the remainder of the upper Great Lakes region was slight. Crustaceans, molluscs, leeches and insects were among the most severely affected groups. Among fishes, species of minnows (Cyprindae) were depleted in the most heavily acidified regions, with some declines in salmonid and centrarchid species.Predicted damage to individual lakes in all areas was highly variable. In areas receiving highly acidic deposition, 100% of the species in acid-sensitive taxonomic groups were eliminated in some lakes, while damage to other lakes was predicted to be slight.Estimated damage varied from lake to lake within each subregion, based on chemical characteristics. The most heavily damaged lakes in the Adirondacks and Pocono-Catskills have probably lost all species of molluscs, leeches and crustaceans. On the other hand, lakes of the Midwest showed either slight increases or decreases in the richness of predicted biotic communities.The possible ranges of original sulfate concentrations in lakes and the proportion of sulfuric acid in precipitation that liberated base cations from catchments were confined to relatively narrow limits by the model.Contribution from Fourth World Wilderness Congress-Acid Rain Symposium, Denver (Estes Park), Colorado, September 11–18, 1987.     

Metal contamination in water, sediment and biota from a semi-enclosed coastal area

This study identifies and quantifies the spatial variations of metal contamination in water, sediment and biota: the common cockle (Cerastoderma edule) and the Mermaid’s glove sponge (Haliclona oculata), within a heavily anthropogenically impacted semi-enclosed estuarine–coastal area with a low ability to disperse and flush contaminants (Poole Harbour, UK). The results showed that metal contamination was detected in all environmental compartments. Water was polluted with As, and Hg sediment metals were mostly within “the possible effect range” in which adverse effects occasionally occurs. Cockles had considerable concentrations of Ni, Ag and Hg in areas close to pollution sources, and sponges accumulate Cu and Zn with very high magnitude. A systematic monitoring approach that includes biological monitoring techniques, which covers all embayments, is needed, and an integrated management of the semi-enclosed coastal zones should be based on the overall hydrological characteristics of these sensitive areas and their ability to self‐restore which is different than open coastal zones.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and trace metal contamination of coastal sediment and biota from Togo

The state of contamination of tropical environments, particularly in Africa, remains a relatively under explored subject. Here, we determined polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and trace metal concentrations in coastal sediment and biota samples (fish and mussels) from Togo (West Africa). In the sediments, the ∑21 PAH concentrations ranged from <4 ng g(-1) to 257 ng g(-1), averaging 92 ng g(-1). Concentration ratios of low molecular weight PAHs (2-3 rings) versus high molecular weight PAHs (≥4 rings) were always lower than 1 (ranging from 0.08 to 0.46) indicating that high molecular weight PAHs were dominant in all sediment samples, and that PAHs originated mainly from anthropogenic combustion activities. The sediments were also analyzed for major elements and a total of 15 trace metals, which were found in elevated concentrations. The calculated enrichment factor (EF) values relative to the Earth's crust show that the contamination is extremely severe for Cd (EF = 191), severe for Cr (EF = 18) and U (EF = 17.8), moderately severe for Zr (EF = 8.8), for Ni (EF = 6.8), Sr (EF = 5.9) and Ba (EF = 5.4), and moderate for V (EF = 3.6) and Zn (EF = 3.4). Sediments sampled in areas affected by the dumping of phosphorite mine tailings showed particularly high concentrations of trace metals. Overall, concentrations of both PAHs and trace metals in sediment tend to increase from the coastline to the open sea (2 km offshore). This is attributable to the increasingly finer texture of coastal sediment found offshore, which has a terrigenous origin and appears loaded with various contaminants through adsorption processes. Such high loads of trace metals were also found in the biota (fish and mussels). The ratio of measured trace metal concentrations in biota to threshold limits set by the World Health Organization herein defined as relative health factor (RHF) was high. Average RHF values in fish were highest for Se (470), As (250), Ag (97), Ni (78), Mn (63), Fe (53), Pb (36), Cd (10), and Cr (7) while lowest for Cu (0.08) and Zn (0.03). Cd and Al did not bioaccumulate in the analyzed fish species. In mussels, the RHF values were highest for Fe (9,108), As (295), Pb (276), Se (273), Mn (186), Ni (71), Ag (70), Cd (14), and Cu (4).     

Guidelines for evaluating selenium data from aquatic monitoring and assessment studies

It is now possible to formulate diagnostic selenium concentrations in four distinct ecosystem-level components; water, food-chain, predatory fish (consuming fish or invertebrate prey), and aquatic birds. Waterborne selenium concentrations of 2 µg/l or greater (parts per billion; total recoverable basis in 0.45 filtered samples) should be considered hazardous to the health and long-term survival of fish and wildlife populations due to the high potential for food-chain bioaccumulation, dietary toxicity, and reproductive effects. In some cases, ultra-trace amounts of dissolved and particulate organic selenium may lead to bioaccumulation and toxicity even when total waterborne concentrations are less than 1 µg/l.Food-chain organisms such as zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, and certain forage fishes can accumulate up to 30 µg/g dry weight selenium (some taxa up to 370 µg/g) with no apparent effect on survival or reproduction. However, the dietary toxicity threshold for fish and wildlife is only 3 µg/g; these food organisms would supply a toxic dose of selenium while being unaffected themselves. Because of this, food-chain organisms containing 3 µg/g (parts per million) dry weight or more should be viewed as potentially lethal to fish and aquatic birds that consume them.Biological effects thresholds (dry weight) for the health and reproductive success of freshwater and anadromous fish are: whole body=4 µg/g; skeletal muscle=8 µg/g; liver=12 µg/g; ovaries and eggs=10 µg/g. Effects thresholds for aquatic birds are: liver=10 µg/g; eggs=3 µg/g. The most precise way to evaluate potential reproductive impacts to adult fish and aquatic bird populations is to measure selenium concentrations in gravid ovaries and eggs. This single measure integrates waterborne and dietary exposure, and allows an evaluation based on the most sensitive biological endpoint. Resource managers and aquatic biologists should obtain measurements of selenium concentrations present in water, food-chain organisms, and fish and wildlife tissues in order to formulate a comprehensive and conclusive assessment of the overall selenium status and health of aquatic ecosystems.     

Retrospective monitoring and inventory of soil contamination in relation to systematic monitoring

Retrospective monitoring of soil contamination has been performed in the Czech Republic. This kind of monitoring is based on the comparison of the heavy metals content in soil samples taken during a systematic soil survey (1960–1970) and in samples taken at the present time. The anticipated high degree of soil pollution in the Czech Republic has not been proved. Most of the contaminated soils were found to be loaded just 20–35 years ago. Retrospective monitoring is considered to be an accelerating tool for determining the strategy of the systematic monitoring of soil contamination. This procedure stimulated the development of the multi-step system of soil loading limits.     

Use of biological monitoring in the assessment of effects of mining wastes on aquatic ecosystems of the alligator rivers region,tropical Northern Australia

The primary objective of the biological monitoring program of the ARRRI is to develop techniques and procedures to monitor and assess effects of the mining and processing of ores on aquatic ecosystems of the Region. Studies have been made in a seasonal tributary (Magela Creek) of the East Alligator River near the Ranger Uranium Mine, and in the upper South Alligator River (SAR) near the Coronation Hill gold, platinum and palladium prospect. Ranger and Coronation Hill are enclosed by Kakadu National Park, environmental safeguards for which require the minimization of impairment of water quality in the aquatic ecosystems. Present studies on Magela Creek are designed to verify the adequacy of release standards, based on biological tests, in protecting the aquatic environment during and after releases of waste-water from Ranger during the Wet season. Detection of short-term effects will be sought by either creekside orin situ monitoring methods. The detection and assessment of any longer-term impacts, however, will rely chiefly on comparisons of post-release data with those of historical baselines. Such baseline information is provided by studies on the structure of macroinvertebrate and fish communities and/or on concentrations of elements in organisms in those communities, in Magela Creek and SAR catchments.     

Fuzzy logic modeling of bioaccumulation pattern of metals in coastal biota of Ondo State,Nigeria

The accumulation patterns of ten metals in tissues of plant, Eichornia crassipes, and fishes, Hydrocynus forskahlii and Oreochromis mossambicus, were modeled with simple fuzzy classification (SFC) to assess toxic effects of anthropogenic activities on the coastal biota. The plant sample was separated into root, stem, and leaves and the fishes into bones, internal tissues, and muscles. They were analyzed for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, Fe, Mn, and Zn after wet oxidation of their dried samples. The results were converted into membership functions of five accumulation classes and aggregated with SFC. The classification results showed that there was no metal accumulation in the plant parts while the fishes were classified into low accumulation category. The internal tissues of the fishes had higher metal accumulation than the other parts. Generally, Fe and Mn had highest concentrations in the biota but are natural to the area and may not constitute significant risk. Cr had the highest transfer and accumulation from the coastal water into the aquatic lives and may be indicative of risk prone system being a toxic metal. Metal contaminations in the zone had not significantly accumulated in the biota making them less prone to risk associated with metal accumulation.     

Designing an integrated environmental monitoring plan for land-based marine fish farms located at exposed and hard bottom coastal areas

The increase in aquaculture activities in the last few decades has not been accompanied by a corresponding increase in environmental controls and regulations. In this context, the application of environmental monitoring plans (EMPs) has become necessary to assess the environmental impact associated with fish farming wastes. The objective of this review paper is to evaluate the suitability of experimental and analytical procedures as monitoring tools for inclusion in EMPs for intensive land-based marine fish farms (LBMFFs). The strong hydrodynamics and, in particular, the lack of sediment on the rocky coasts where LBMFFs are usually located, greatly limit the monitoring tools that can be used. We propose EMPs that employ a weight-of-evidence approach to evaluate: contamination, trophic and toxic effects, and ecological integrity. Laboratory tests, in situ bioassays and field surveys of local species are presented as key tools for assessing the impact of LBMFFs on ecosystems. The δ(15)N signal along a spatial gradient is proposed for evaluating exposure to contaminants. Trophic effects can be determined by growth of transplanted macro- and microalgae. Toxic effects can be evaluated by responses at different levels of biological organization, including biochemical and histological changes, physiological alterations and survival, in species from different trophic levels. Fouling tests and analysis of community structures are recommended for assessing ecological integrity. This review contributes to the development of environmental controls for intensive LBMFFs, and for other activities that discharge wastewater to rocky shores.     

Seasonal variation of oxidative stress biomarkers in clams Ruditapes decussatus sampled from Tunisian coastal areas

Seven (7) sites from to the Tunisian coastal area were monitored through four seasons using several oxidative stress biomarkers including lipid peroxidation. Catalase (CAT) specific activity was determined in clam Ruditapes decussatus digestive gland. Lipid peroxidation was assessed in the same tissues using malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, neutral lipid (NL) and lipofuscin accumulation. Results show that catalase specific activity varies between sites and fluctuates in time. The highest CAT activities were recorded in sites from Bizerta Lagoon and sites neighbouring Sfax city. Malondialdehyde accumulation in digestive gland cells seems to be very pronounced in animals sampled in summer and autumn. Digestive gland sections of clams sampled from reported heavy metal polluted sites exhibited higher volume density of residual bodies. Our results showed that the neutral lipids and lipofuscin content in clam's digestive gland are more sensitive to general stress as compared to other biomarkers, and could be used successfully in clams as early warning tools in field biomonitoring programs.     

Distribution of perfluorinated compounds in water, sediment, biota and floating plants in Baiyangdian Lake, China

The distribution of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in Baiyangdian Lake, China, was determined in this study. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the dominant PFC in lake water (1.70-73.5 ng L(-1), median 9.72 ng L(-1)), while perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the dominant PFC in sediments (0.06-0.64 ng g(-1) dry wt, median 0.19 ng g(-1) dry wt) and in aquatic animals (0.57-13.7 ng g(-1) wet wt, median 2.56 ng g(-1) wet wt). Significant differences in PFC levels were observed among various aquatic animals. We also determined, for the first time, the PFC levels in floating plants, including Ceratophyllum demersum L., Hydrocharis dubia (Bl.) Backer and Salvinia natans (L.), and we found that PFOA and PFNA were the dominant PFCs in these plants. Furthermore, floating plants were observed to have different composition profiles compared to aquatic animals. Geographical differences in PFC levels were also observed, with higher PFC levels in samples from the north part of Baiyangdian Lake than those in the south. The differences in human and industrial activities in different parts of the lake and the discharged wastewater from the Fuhe River may be the major contributors for these geographical differences.     

Development of a sampling method for the simultaneous monitoring of straight-chain alkanes, straight-chain saturated carbonyl compounds and monoterpenes in remote areas

Studies have shown that biogenic compounds, long chain secondary compounds and long lifetime anthropogenic compounds are involved in the formation of organic aerosols in both polluted areas and remote places. This work aims at developing an active sampling method to monitor these compounds (i.e. 6 straight-chain saturated aldehydes from C6 to C11; 8 straight-chain alkanes from C9 to C16; 6 monoterpenes: α-pinene, β-pinene, camphene, limonene, α-terpinene, & γ-terpinene; and 5 aromatic compounds: toluene, ethylbenzene, meta-, para- and ortho-xylenes) in remote areas. Samples are collected onto multi-bed sorbent cartridges at 200 mL min(-1) flow rate, using the automatic sampler SyPAC (TERA-Environnement, Crolles, France). No breakthrough was observed for sampling volumes up to 120 L (standard mixture at ambient temperature, with a relative humidity of 75%). As ozone has been shown to alter the samples (losses of 90% of aldehydes and up to 95% of terpenes were observed), the addition of a conditioned manganese dioxide (MnO(2)) scrubber to the system has been validated (full recovery of the affected compounds for a standard mixture at 50% relative humidity--RH). Samples are first thermodesorbed and then analysed by GC/FID/MS. This method allows suitable detection limits (from 2 ppt for camphene to 13 ppt for octanal--36 L sampled), and reproducibility (from 1% for toluene to 22% for heptanal). It has been successfully used to determine the diurnal variation of the target compounds (six 3 h samples a day) during winter and summer measurement campaigns at a remote site in the south of France.     

Insecticide residues in soil and water in coastal areas of vegetable production in Togo

Some common organochlorine, organophosphorus and pyrethroid insecticides were analysed in agricultural soil samples (n?=?35) and surface water and groundwater samples (n?=?25) collected from coastal areas of vegetable production in Togo. Analytical methods included solvent extraction of the insecticide residues and their subsequent quantification using GC-ECD. δ-HCH, heptachlor epoxide, 4,4-DDE, endosulphan (α, β and sulphate), lambda-cyalothrin and chlorpyrifos were found in the soil samples with concentrations that varied from non-detectable (ND) to 26.93 μg kg^?1 dry weight. For water samples, heptachlor epoxide, 2,4-DDD, 4,4-DDD, 4,4-DDE and endosulphan (α, β, and sulphate) were found at contamination levels that varied from ND to 0.116 μg L^?1. The concentration of insecticide residues detected in the water samples was below the limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and also by the European Union (EU), with the exception of the concentration of endosulphan sulphate at the Aného site, which was 0.116 μg L^?1.     

Occurrence of potential bacterial pathogens in coastal areas of the Adriatic Sea

A monitoring program was carried out in bathing waters along the sea-coast of the Adriatic Sea. The investigation was aimedat obtaining a quali-quantitative picture of microorganisms ofanthropic origin and of a more strictly autochthonous origin and at verifying the existence of possible reciprocal correlations and combinations of relationship between them. Results showed that the concentrations of indicators of faecal contamination, whether within or over the values established by legislation, are not always related to the presence and density of microorganisms of environmental origin but the regression modelsused can help to describe how these latter microorganisms can bein relation to levels of the other parameters. The difficultyis evident of the predictability of health effects swimming-associated; for this reason more complex models that are currently used should be taken into account for minimising the risk for bathers.     

Polyfluoroalkyl compounds in the aquatic environment: a review of their occurrence and fate

The occurrence and fate of polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) in the aquatic environment has been recognized as one of the emerging issues in environmental chemistry. PFCs comprise a diverse group of chemicals that are widely used as processing additives during fluoropolymer production and as surfactants in consumer applications for over 50 years. PFCs are known to be persistent, bioaccumulative and have possible adverse effects on humans and wildlife. As a result, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) has been added to the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) list of the Stockholm Convention in May 2009. However, their homologues, neutral precursor compounds and new PFCs classes continue to be produced. In general, several PFCs from different classes have been detected ubiquitously in the aqueous environment while the concentrations usually range between pg and ng per litre for individual compounds. Sources of PFCs into the aqueous environment are both point sources (e.g., wastewater treatment plant effluents) and nonpoint sources (e.g., surface runoff). The detected congener composition in environmental samples depends on their physicochemical characteristics and may provide information to their sources and transport pathways. However, the dominant transport pathways of individual PFCs to remote regions have not been conclusively characterised to date. The objective of this article is to give an overview on existing knowledge of the occurrence, fate and processes of PFCs in the aquatic environment. Finally, this article identifies knowledge gaps, presents conclusions and recommendations for future work.     

Shift in apparent contrast of disc at Secchi disc depth in coastal sea areas

The relationship between Secchi disc depth and amount of suspended material in seawater varies depending on the particular marine area. To identify the cause of this dependence, we calculated the apparent contrast (C _SD) at each Secchi disc depth in different coastal sea areas. When the turbidity from the surface to the Secchi disc depth was uniform, the C _SD was distributed in the range of 1.3 to 0.001 for a Secchi disc depth (Z _SD) of 2–18 m. Z _SD tended to decrease as C _SD became larger. The dominant wavelength for the sea color was 475–500 nm for a Secchi disc depth of 13–18 m, and 500–575 nm for a Z_SD of 2–6 m, shifting to longer wavelengths as the Secchi disc depth increased. That is, when Z _SD decreased, the dominant wavelength of the sea color, and the C _SD increased simultaneously. This phenomenon seems to occur because the contrast threshold for the human eye is higher at longer wavelengths. In other words, the contrast threshold is visibly indistinguishable when the apparent contrast in ocean waters with low Secchi disc depths is high. This phenomenon occurs because the human eye is affected by the color of the sea.     

Decreasing lead levels in Swedish biota revealed by 36 years (1969-2004) of environmental monitoring

Since the 1980s, lead levels decreased significantly in most marine biota from the Baltic Sea, the Kattegatt and the Skagerrack and in terrestrial biota from south and central Sweden, analysed in the National Swedish Environmental Monitoring Programme. In herring and cod liver, the decrease was 4.2-7.1% annually 1981-2003 and in perch liver and guillemot eggs analysed since the middle of the 1990s the decrease was 10-13%. In kidneys of young starlings from south and central Sweden, lead levels decreased 6.2-12% annually and the annual decrease in liver and kidney from young moose was 8.8% and 6.5%, respectively. In northern Sweden, lead levels decreased in pike liver by 2.8% between 1969 and 1994 and in reindeer liver by 3.5% annually while a significant increase (5% annually 1981-1994) has been detected in arctic char. In some marine biota, there were indications of a larger decrease during the last ten years compared to the whole period. The large decline in lead emission to the atmosphere during the last twenty years, mainly because of decreasing use of leaded gasoline has obviously resulted in decreasing lead levels in biota.