A review of the fate and toxicity of 3,4-dichloroaniline in aquatic environments

The physicochemical properties, fate and toxicity of 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA) in aquatic environments are reviewed.     

自然生态系统中含硫气体的产生机理与环境归趋

基于当前可获得的与该课题相关的资料 ,本文综述了陆地生态系统产生挥发性含硫气体的微观和宏观机理过程。讨论了控制生物硫气体产生的环境因素。阐述了含硫气体释放进入大气后的环境归趋     

Molecular behavior assessment on initial stages of oil spill in terrestrial environments

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The contamination of terrestrial environments by oil spills creates biological risks to humans and affects the ecosystem’s health. The studies...     

Ecotoxicity revealed in parasite communities of Sigmodon hispidus in terrestrial environments contaminated with petrochemicals

Several studies have documented contaminant-induced alterations in host-parasite relationships of vertebrate hosts in aquatic environments, suggesting this functional relationship may be useful for monitoring community-level effects of stressors in terrestrial systems. We hypothesized that gastrointestinal helminth communities of hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) hosts would be sensitive to exposure to complex mixtures of petrochemicals in soils of tallgrass prairie habitats contaminated with oil refinery wastes. Parasite communities were surveyed (1993-95) on three contaminated and two reference sites on an oil refinery complex in Oklahoma. Abundance of Schizotaenia sigmodontis infections was two-fold higher in hosts from reference than contaminated sites. Strongyloides sigmodontis exhibited pronounced seasonal differences in prevalence and abundance in host populations from reference sites, with much higher seasonal variation compared to hosts from contaminated sites. Other helminth species, including Schizotaenia sigmodontis, Protospirura muris, Longistriata adunca, also exhibited seasonal fluctuations in abundance. Differences in species richness and composition were also observed, with hosts from the reference sites consistently supporting a higher mean number of species compared to those from contaminated sites. Differences in community structure indicate that host-parasite relationships can provide another useful method for monitoring community-level impacts of contamination in a terrestrial system.     

A screening level examination of the potential risks of acetone in aquatic and terrestrial environments using multi-media modeling

Approximately half of the approximately 40 million tonnes per annum (t/a) of acetone released worldwide arises via natural processes. The remaining releases of acetone are the focus of this assessment and arise either as a photo-degradation by-product of other organic compounds (approximately 20 million t/a) or by entering the environment from manufacturing and end uses (59,000 t/a). Multi-media modeling was used to estimate regional concentrations of acetone in air, water, soil and sediment that may occur based on these anthropogenic releases to the environment. US toxics release inventory data were used to calculate local surface water concentrations. The distributions of all regional and local concentrations in all media were below applicable predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs). Calculated regional and local concentrations of acetone, originating from all anthropogenic sources, appear unlikely to cause adverse risks to the environment.     

Atmospheric fate of acrylic acid and acrylonitrile: Rate constants with Cl atoms and OH radicals in the gas phase

Rate coefficients for the reactions of hydroxyl radicals and chlorine atoms with acrylic acid and acrylonitrile have been determined at 298 K and atmospheric pressure. The decay of the organics was followed using a gas chromatograph with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and the rate constants were determined using a relative rate method with different reference compounds. Room temperature rate constants are found to be (in cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹): k₁(OH+CH₂CHC(O)OH)=(1.75±0.47)×10⁻¹¹, k₂(Cl+CH₂CHC(O)OH)=(3.99±0.84)×10⁻¹⁰, k₃(OH+CH₂CHCN)=(1.11±0.33)×10⁻¹¹ and k₄(Cl+CH₂CHCN)=(1.11±0.23)×10⁻¹⁰ with uncertainties representing ±2σ. This is the first kinetic study for these reactions under atmospheric pressure. The rate coefficients are compared with previous determinations taking into account the effect of pressure on the rate constants. The effect of substituent atoms or groups on the overall rate constants is analyzed in comparison with other unsaturated compounds in the literature. In addition, atmospheric lifetimes based on the homogeneous sinks of acrylic acid and acrylonitrile are estimated and compared with other tropospheric sinks for these compounds.     

Source-pathway-receptor investigation of the fate of trace elements derived from shotgun pellets discharged in terrestrial ecosystems managed for game shooting

Spent shotgun pellets may contaminate terrestrial ecosystems. We examined the fate of elements originating from shotgun pellets in pasture and woodland ecosystems. Two source-receptor pathways: i) soil-soil pore water-plant and ii) whole earthworm/worm gut contents - washed and unwashed small mammal hair were investigated. Concentrations of Pb and associated contaminants were higher in soils from shot areas than controls. Arsenic and lead concentrations were positively correlated in soils, soil pore water and associated biota. Element concentrations in biota were below statutory levels in all locations. Bioavailability of lead to small mammals, based on concentrations in washed body hair was low. Lead movement from soil water to higher trophic levels was minor compared to lead adsorbed onto body surfaces. Lead was concentrated in earthworm gut and some plants. Results indicate that managed game shooting presents minimal risk in terms of element transfer to soils and their associated biota.     

Global DNA methylation in earthworms: a candidate biomarker of epigenetic risks related to the presence of metals/metalloids in terrestrial environments

In this work, possible relationships between global DNA methylation and metal/metalloid concentrations in earthworms have been explored. Direct correlation was observed between soil and tissue As, Se, Sb, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ag, Co, Hg, Pb (p < 0.05). Speciation results obtained for As and Hg hint at the capability of earthworms for conversion of inorganic element forms present in soil to methylated species. Inverse correlation was observed between the percentage of methylated DNA cytosines and total tissue As, As + Hg, As + Hg + Se + Sb (β = −0.8456, p = 0.071; β = −0.9406, p = 0.017; β = −0.9526, p = 0.012 respectively), as well as inorganic As + Hg (β = −0.8807, p = 0.049). It was concluded that earthworms would be particularly helpful as bioindicators of elements undergoing in vivo methylation and might also be used to assess the related risk of epigenetic changes in DNA methylation.     

Evaluating the environmental fate of atrazine in France

Atrazine is used in large quantities in U.S. and European countries as a weed-control agent. As a result, numerous data on its environmental fate and hazards have been published. Analysis of the literature shows that this herbicide can be found with appreciable concentrations in groundwaters, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. This contamination principally results from leaching and runoff processes. Atrazine can also pollute fog and rain due to its release into the atmosphere through spray applications. This large amount of information constitutes a very attractive basis for assessing the simulation performances of environmental fate models. In this context, CHEMFRANCE, a regional fugacity model level III which calculates the environmental distribution of organic chemicals in twelve defined regions of France has been used to estimate the environmental fate of atrazine. The calculated values are comparable with field and laboratory results. Therefore, CHEMFRANCE can be considered as a useful tool for simulating the environmental fate of this agrochemical.     

Evaluating the environmental fate of lindane in France

Lindane, a highly persistent and lipophilic pesticide, is still used in large quantities. This chemical can be found with appreciable concentrations in biota, atmosphere, and in other environmental compartments in the adsorbed form. This information provided a basis for assessing the simulation performances of CHEMFRANCE, a regional level III fugacity model allowing to generate environmental behavior profile of organic chemicals in France. The comparison between the estimated environmental fate and field and laboratory observations suggests that this fugacity model can be used to determine the processes that control the environmental fate of lindane in France. CHEMFRANCE also provides accurate estimates of environmental compartment contaminations.     

Occurrence and fate of heavy metals in the wastewater treatment process

The occurrence and the fate of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe and Ni) during the wastewater treatment process were investigated in the wastewater treatment plant (WTP) of the city of Thessaloniki, northern Greece, operating in the activated sludge mode. For this purpose, wastewater and sludge samples were collected from six different points of the plant, namely, the influent (raw wastewater, RW), the effluent of the primary sedimentation tank (primary sedimentation effluent, PSE), the effluent of the secondary sedimentation tank (secondary sedimentation effluent, SSE), sludge from the primary sedimentation tank (primary sludge, PS), activated sludge from the recirculation stream (activated sludge, AS), and the digested/dewatered sludge (final sludge, FS).

The distribution of metals between the aqueous and the solid phase of wastewater was investigated. Good exponential correlation was found between the metal partition coefficient, logK_p, and the suspended solids concentration. The mass balance of heavy metals in the primary, secondary and the whole treatment process showed good closures for all metal species. The relative distribution of individual heavy metals in the treated effluent and the sludge streams indicated that Mn and Cu are primarily (>70%) accumulated in the sludge, while 47–63% of Cd, Cr, Pb, Fe, Ni and Zn remain in the treated effluent.     

Use and fate of pesticides in the Amazon State,Brazil

During the last 30 years, the increase of the human population in the Amazon introduced the need for additional food production and caused the state government to implement programs to increase and improve agricultural production. The production of nontraditional crops introduced several problems unknown to traditional farmers, since they are not well adapted to tropical conditions. Their susceptibility to insects, fungi and other plagues, and the competition with native vegetation forced farmers to use pesticides intensively. Amazonian farmers were not adequately prepared for the use of this new technology; they ignored the risk of pesticides to human health and the environment. Using the region of the state capital Manaus as an example, the characteristics of the pesticide use are described (e.g. the increased use and the lack of personal protective equipment, as well as the legal situation). In detail, the registration status of pesticides used in the State of Amazonas and the state of their registration in the European Union is compared. Finally, it is concluded that the use and the fate of pesticides in the Amazon region has to be monitored. Data of the effects on humans and on the environment have to be collected from the literature or have to be produced in standardized tests, so that an environmental risk assessment becomes possible. Training and information programs are urgently needed in order to build up environmentally sustainable agriculture. Finally, the enforcement of Brazilian laws concerning pesticide registration has to be improved.     

Importance of natural sedimentation in the fate of microcystins

Sedimentation processes of microcystins (MCs), cyanobacterial toxins, were studied in three reservoirs located in Central Spain in which the cyanobacterial community was dominated by the genus Microcystis. MCs were detected in the sediment traps deployed in all reservoirs. In Santillana reservoir, MCs were identified in sediment traps even though they could not be found in the pelagial samples. In the other reservoirs studied, sedimentation rates for MC-containing particles during the bloom period ranged from 0.43 to 2.53 mg m⁻² d⁻¹. Interestingly, this very high sedimentation of toxic biomass is not exclusively related to decaying blooms or autumnal sedimentation due to a drop in water temperature. Instead, it seems that MC-containing colonies may be settling constantly during the bloom period and we were able to estimate that during such a Microcystis dominated bloom, around 4.5% of pelagial MCs may be involved in sedimentation. Further, these settling colonies seem to maintain good cell integrity and MCs seem not to be excreted massively. A certain loss of toxin content along the vertical settling may be attributed to minor losses due to cell lysis or to variations in MC cell quota explained by reduced production or internal consumption. Our results for the first time establish specific settling rates for MC-containing particles in freshwaters and definitely identify sedimentation as a major destination for these toxins. These data may contribute to improve managing strategies concerning risks associated with MCs.     

Perspectives of the chemical fate and toxicity of pesticides

The wide-spread use of pesticides in modern agriculture has created a need to investigate the chemical transformation of pesticides in plants and animals. This paper reviews the chemical and biochemical fate of various pesticides and other xenobiotics. Photochemical mechanisms appear to be the most common pathways for the abiotic transformation of these chemicals. Biotic transformation includes a large group of biochemical reactions which may result in either deactivation (detoxication) or activation (toxication) of bioactive compounds. The need for quality control in the production of pesticides is also discussed.     

Perspectives of the chemical fate and toxicity of pesticides

Abstract

The wide‐spread use of pesticides in modern agriculture has created a need to investigate the chemical transformation of pesticides in plants and animals. This paper reviews the chemical and biochemical fate of various pesticides and other xenobiotics. Photochemical mechanisms appear to be the most common pathways for the abiotic transformation of these chemicals. Biotic transformation includes a large group of biochemical reactions which may result in either deactivation (detoxication) or activation (toxication) of bioactive compounds. The need for quality control in the production of pesticides is also discussed.     

The fate of dichlorvos in soil

Experiments were conducted to determine the factors responsible for the loss (adsorption, chemical hydrolysis, microbial degradation, etc.) of dichlorvos (2,2-dichlorovingl $\text{0}$,$\text{0}$-dimethyl phosphate) in soil perfusion systems of Houston Black clay. The rate of disappearance from the perfusate (hence the rate of dichlorvos degradation in soil) was related directly to the presence of $\text{Bacillus}$$\text{cereus}$ in the perfusion system, the pH of the system, and the extent of dichlorvos adsorption. Gas liquid chromatographic analyses of the perfusates showed that dichlorvos disappearance was rapid when $\text{B}$. $\text{cereus}$ was added to a previously sterilized soil perfusion system (50% in 3.9 days). Under sterile conditions, 50% of the added dichlorvos was recovered after 10 days. When $\text{B}$. $\text{cereus}$ was added to a mineral salts medium containing dichlorvos as sole ccrbon source, 49% of the initial dichlorvos concentration was degraded in 4 days. The organism was not capable of utilizing dichlorvos as a sole phosphorus source. Chemical hydrolysis of dichlorvos in aqueous, buffered, soil-free systems showed that hydrolysis did not occur in very acid systems (<pH 3.3), but increased with increasing pH values (26% in 4 days at pH 6.9), and was rapid at pH 9.3 (> 99% in 2 days). The extent of dichlorvos adsorption was determined by comparing the initial loss of dichlorvos in a sterile, soil-free extract solution with the initial loss in a sterile soil perfusion system. The rapid initial disappearance of dichlorvos in the presence of sterilized soil was attributed to soil adsorption of the pesticide. After 10 days both systems contained equal concentrations (50%) of dichlorvos. Non-biological mechanisms accounted for 70% of the total degradation of dichlorvos, while bacterial degradation accounted for 30% in the soil perfusion systems.     

Status and trends of mercury pollution of the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems in Poland

The goal of this paper is to assess the current status and trends of total mercury (THg) contamination of the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems in Poland. The study shows that the reduced domestic and worldwide atmospheric emission of Hg resulted in decreased THg level in the terrestrial biotope and biosphere. Considering that Poland is one of the main Hg emitters in Europe, the THg concentrations in its abiotic environment are still elevated. However, the THg level in terrestrial organisms is relatively low, which is because a large proportion of Hg deposited on land is accumulated in organic-rich soils. Regarding the THg concentration, consumption of wildlife and livestock from Poland is safe for humans. Nevertheless, the authors indicate the need for effective environmental monitoring, based on selected bioindicators, which is crucial considering the slowing reduction of Hg emission combined with the consequences of the changing climate.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13280-021-01505-1.