Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA): A controversial environmental pollutant

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is one of the most widely used brominated flame retardants and is extensively used in electronic equipment, furniture, plastics, and textiles. It is frequently detected in water, soil, air, and organisms, including humans, and has raised concerns in the scientific community regarding its potential adverse health effects. Human exposure to TBBPA is mainly via diet, respiration, and skin contact. Various in vivo and in vitro studies based on animal and cell models have demonstrated that TBBPA can induce multifaceted effects in cells and animals, and potentially exert hepatic, renal, neural, cardiac, and reproductive toxicities. Nevertheless, other reports have claimed that TBBPA might be a safe chemical. In this review, we re-evaluated most of the published TBBPA toxicological assessments with the goal of reaching a conclusion about its potential toxicity. We concluded that, although low TBBPA exposure levels and rapid metabolism in humans may signify that TBBPA is a safe chemical for the general population, particular attention should be paid to the potential effects of TBBPA on early developmental stages.     

Differential distribution of sperm subpopulations and incidence of pleiomorphisms in ejaculates of captive howling monkeys (Alouatta caraya)

The aim of this study was to develop an objective method to determine the incidence of pleiomorphisms and its influence on the distribution of sperm morphometric subpopulations in ejaculates of howling monkeys (Alouatta caraya) by using a combination of computerized analysis system (ASMA) and principal component analysis (PCA) methods. Ejaculates were collected by electroejaculation methods on a regular basis from five individuals maintained under identical captive environmental, nutritional, and management conditions. Each sperm head was measured for dimensional parameters (Area [A, (square micrometers)], Perimeter [P, (micrometers)], Length [L, (micrometers)], and Width [W, (micrometers)]) and shape-derived parameters (Ellipticity [(L/W)], Elongation [(L???W)/(L?+?W)], and Rugosity [(4лA/P ²)]). PCA revealed two principal components explaining more than the 96 % of the variance. Clustering methods and discriminant analyzes were performed and seven separate subpopulations were identified. There were differences (P?<?0.001) in the distribution of the seven subpopulations as well as in the incidence of abnormal pleiomorphisms (58.6 %, 49.8 %, 35.1 %, 66.4 %, and 55.1 %, P?<?0.05) among the five donors tested. Our results indicated that differences among individuals related to the incidence of pleiomorphisms, and sperm subpopulational structure was not related to the captivity conditions or the sperm collection method, since all individuals were studied under identical conditions. In conclusion, the combination of ASMA and PCA is a useful clinical diagnostic resource for detecting deficiencies in sperm morphology and sperm subpopulations in A. caraya ejaculates that could be used in ex situ conservation programs of threatened species in Alouatta genus or even other endangered neotropical primate species.     

水稻根系中多环芳烃的动态变化

水稻根系的多环芳烃浓度随着水稻的生长不断变化,呈现出初期逐渐升高,到成熟期趋于稳定的一般趋势.幼穗期、乳熟期、蜡熟期、完熟期和枯熟期水稻根系的多环芳烃总含量(PAH15)平均分别为464、969、592、1075 ng·g-1和1059ng·g-1,并主要由3环化合物组成.根系的脂含量、比表面和生物量等指标对根系多环芳烃的变化起到了一定影响.其中,脂含量和比表面的影响比生物量的影响更为显著.随着水稻的成熟,水稻土多环芳烃含量逐渐降低,而5、6环化合物的比例逐渐增加.水稻根系和水稻土中的多环芳烃含量之间存在明显的负相关关系.     

沉积物中多环芳烃对反硝化功能基因垂直分布的影响

研究了沉积物中PAHs对特定反硝化功能基因垂直分布的影响,以建立反硝化条件下PAHs和各阶段反硝化反应之间的关系.2011年3月,对珠江广州河段珠江大桥、黄沙码头和二沙岛三处具有代表性的区域沉积物进行采集,对沉积物PAHs污染和特定反硝化功能基因(narG、nirS、nosZ和nrfA)的垂直分布特征进行了研究,并通过多变量技术建立了反硝化条件下PAHs和特定反硝化功能基因之间的关系.典范对应分析(CCA)表明,硝酸盐异化还原反应和高环PAHs之间联系密切.PAHs对nosZ编码基因影响最为明显,即对反硝化作用氧化亚氮还原阶段抑制作用最强.除氧化亚氮还原阶段外,其他各阶段反硝化细菌普遍体现出对高环PAHs的适应性,特别是含有异化亚硝酸盐还原酶编码基因(nrfA)的微生物可能具有潜在的高环PAHs厌氧降解能力.亚硝态氮还原酶编码基因(nirS)表现出特异性,需要进一步深入研究.     

Fractal analysis of polyferric chloride-humic acid (PFC-HA) flocs in di erent topological spaces

The fractal dimensions in di erent topological spaces of polyferric chloride-humic acid (PFC-HA) flocs, formed in flocculating di erent kinds of humic acids (HA) water at di erent initial pH (9.0, 7.0, 5.0) and PFC dosages, were calculated by e ective densitymaximum diameter, image analysis, and N2 absorption-desorption methods, respectively. The mass fractal dimensions (Df) of PFC-HA flocs were calculated by bi-logarithm relation of e ective density with maximum diameter and Logan empirical equation. The Df value was more than 2.0 at initial pH of 7.0, which was 11% and 13% higher than those at pH 9.0 and 5.0, respecively, indicating the most compact flocs formed in flocculated HA water at initial pH of 7.0. The image analysis for those flocs indicates that after flocculating the HA water at initial pH greater than 7.0 with PFC flocculant, the fractal dimensions of D2 (logA vs. logdL) and D3 (logVsphere vs. logdL) of PFC-HA flocs decreased with the increase of PFC dosages, and PFC-HA flocs showed a gradually looser structure. At the optimum dosage of PFC, the D2 (logA vs. logdL) values of the flocs show 14%–43% di erence with their corresponding Df, and they even had di erent tendency with the change of initial pH values. However, the D2 values of the flocs formed at three di erent initial pH in HA solution had a same tendency with the corresponding Df. Based on fractal Frenkel-Halsey-Hill (FHH) adsorption and desorption equations, the pore surface fractal dimensions (Ds) for dried powders of PFC-HA flocs formed in HA water with initial pH 9.0 and 7.0 were all close to 2.9421, and the Ds values of flocs formed at initial pH 5.0 were less than 2.3746. It indicated that the pore surface fractal dimensions of PFC-HA flocs dried powder mainly show the irregularity from the mesopore-size distribution and marcopore-size distribution.     

Inaction levels for the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (hym.: formicidae): A predator of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis (col.: curculionidae)

The density of red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), necessary to limit boll weevil abundance, Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), below the action level was determined. An inaction level of 0.4 fire ants per shake bucket sample (i.e., four ants per 10 plant terminals) will provide boll weevil control approximately 90% of the time. A dynamic inaction level is also provided. Total mortality of boll weevil developmental stages including eggs through teneral adults averaged 97.9%. Of 100 boll weevil eggs deposited in cotton squares (flower buds), an average of two adults survive of which about half are female. Thus, the net replacement rate per generation (R_o is 1.0 which, in this case, indicates a stable boll weevil population.     

Seasonal occurrence of the yellow stem borer Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) on deepwater rice in Bangladesh and Thailand

Deepwater rice is grown in South and Southeast Asia on 11 million hectares flooded deeply during the monsoon. Surveys for the incidence of stem borers in deepwater rice in Bangladesh from 1977 to 1980, and in Thailand during 1981 and 1982, showed that borer incidence and species composition were remarkably similar. Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) usually comprised more than 90% of the borer population and was almost exclusively present during the main flooding period. Chilo polychrysus (Meyr.) comprised 11% and Sesamia inferens (Walker) 6% of the population in the pre-flood and ripening stages.Low borer activity in the early part of the season was explained by a low nucleus population, the synchronous planting of deepwater rice, and severe moisture stress and high temperatures in the pre-flood period. In Bangladesh, a severe drought in 1979 limited Scirpophaga incertulas populations to unusually low levels until the flowering stage. In Thailand, drier conditions, the lack of an intervening rice crop in the dry season and a longer pre-flood period, appeared to severely restrict early season borer activity. The onset of flooding and stem elongation provided a more favourable environment for S. incertulas. Borer activity increased steadily during the first 3–4 months of flooding, to average 23% damaged stems (26 m^?2) and 13 borer immature stages/100 stems (13 m^?2) by the flowering stage. Borer activity continued at about the same level as the water receded, to reach maximum annual levels of 38–44% damaged stems (35 m^?2) at the late-ripening stage. At harvest, 60% of the fields were at outbreak level (>40% damaged stems). Such high levels of damage are explained by the long growth period of deepwater rice, favourable weather during the flooding period, and the optimum habitat of the elongated stem. S. incertulas populations then crashed to low levels; the larvae entering diapause in the field stubble. Although related to actual damage, the deadheart and whitehead symptoms grossly under-estimated the extent of stem damage.     

Potential climate change impacts on Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) off the northeastern USA

We examined the potential impacts of future climate change on the distribution and production of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) on the northeastern USA’s continental shelf. We began by examining the response of cod to bottom water temperature changes observed over the past four decades using fishery-independent resource survey data. After accounting for the overall decline in cod during this period, we show that the probability of catching cod at specified locations decreased markedly with increasing bottom temperature. Our analysis of future changes in water temperature was based on output from three coupled atmosphere–ocean general circulation models under high and low CO₂ emissions. An increase of <1.5°C is predicted for all sectors under the low emission scenario in spring and autumn by the end of this century. Under the high emission scenario, temperature increases range from ～2°C in the north to >3.5°C in the Mid-Atlantic Bight. Under these conditions, cod appear vulnerable to a loss of thermal habitat on Georges Bank, with a substantial loss of thermal habitat farther south. We also examined temperature effects on cod recruitment and growth in one stock area, the Gulf of Maine, to explore potential implications for yield and resilience to fishing. Cod survival during the early life stages declined with increasing water temperatures, offsetting potential increases in growth with warmer temperatures and resulting in a predicted loss in yield and increased vulnerability to high fishing mortality rates. Substantial differential impacts under the low versus high emission scenarios are evident for cod off the northeastern USA.     

A comparison of the toxicity of landfill leachate exposure at the seed soaking and germination stages on Zea mays L. (maize)

To compare the toxicity of landfill leachate exposure at the early stages of seed soaking and germination on maize, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the physiological aspects of growth, yield and potential clastogenicity of root-tip cells. The maizes were treated with leachate at levels of 2%, 10%, 20%, 30% or 50% (V/V). First, the change of physiological indexes, including chlorophyll (Chl), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, combined with yield all showed that soaking with leachate, but not germination, generated a greater ecological risk on maize. After a soaking treatment of maize with 50% leachate, the Chl, MDA and ROS levels during a vigorous growth period were 47.3%, 149.8% and 309.7%, respectively, of the control, whereas the yield decreased to 68.6% of the control. In addition, our results demonstrated that the leachate at lower levels could promote growth. This is mainly embodied in that the yield of maize treated with 10% leachate at the soaking stage increased to 116.0% of the control. Moreover, the cytological analysis experiment also demonstrated that the ecological risk of leachate still exists in both cases. Furthermore, the gray relational analysis showed that the ear row number and tassel branch number were the major factors affecting the yield of maize treated with 50% leachate at the stages of soaking and germination, respectively. In general, these results are helpful in understanding the phytotoxicity of leachate, which provides additional reference data for risk assessment and management of leachate.     

导数在计算矩中的应用

本文主要研究了应用数学分析中导数知识来求解统计学中的二项分布,泊松分布,几何分布的一、二阶矩.将这种方法加以推广,我们又提出了利用高阶导数求出伽玛(Gamma)分布,指数分布,正态分布的高阶矩.     

Effects of acid,acid-ZVI/PMS,Fe(Ⅱ)/PMS and ZVI/PMS conditioning on the wastewater activated sludge(WAS)dewaterability and extracellular polymeric substances(EPS)

The effects of four conditioning approaches:Acid,Acid-zero-valent iron(ZVI)/peroxydisulfate(PMS),Fe(Ⅱ)/PMS and ZVI/PMS,on wastewater activated sludge(WAS) dewatering and organics distribution in supernatant and extracellular polymeric substances(EPS) layers were investigated.The highest reduction in bound water and the most WAS destruction was achieved by Acid-ZVI/PMS,and the optimum conditions were pH 3,ZVI dosage 0.15 g/g dry solid(DS),oxone dosage 0.07 g/g DS and reaction time 10.6 min with the reductions in capillary suction time(CST) and water content(Wc) as 19.67% and 8.49%,respectively.Four conditioning approaches could result in TOC increase in EPS layers and supernatant,and protein(PN) content in tightly bound EPS(TB-EPS).After conditioning,organics in EPS layers could migrate to supernatant.Polysaccharide(PS) was easier to migrate to supernatant than PN.In addition,Acid,Acid-ZVI/PMS or Fe(Ⅱ)/PMS conditioning promoted the release of some polysaccharides containing ring vibrations v P=O,v C-O-C,v C-O-P functional groups from TB-EPS.ESR spectra proved that both radicals of SO_4~-· and·OH contributed to dewatering and organics transformation and migration.CST value of WAS positively correlated with the ratios of PN/PS in LB-EPS and total EPS,while it negatively correlated with TOC,PN content and PS content in TB-EPS,as well as PS content in supernatant and LB-EPS.BWC negatively correlated to zeta potential and TOC value,PN content,and HA content in supernatant.     

贵州高原草海湿地土壤有机碳分布特征及其与酶活性的关系

基于时空替代的研究方法,对贵州草海湿地土壤有机碳和氧化还原酶活性分布进行了研究,分析了土壤总有机碳(TOC)和可溶性有机碳(DOC)与土壤酶活性、环境因子之间的关系.结果表明,不同退化梯度湿地土壤中有机碳存在较大的差异,沿着退化梯度表层土壤TOC、DOC含量和脱氢酶(DHA)活性逐渐降低(p0.05),而多酚酶(PPO)活性逐渐升高(p0.05);在垂直剖面上,原生湿地(CH1)和轻度退化湿地(CH_2)土壤TOC先增加后减少,而沼泽化湿地(CH3)和草甸湿地(CH_4)土壤TOC无明显的分层和富聚现象;相关性分析表明,TOC、DOC与PPO显著负相关(p0.01),而PPO与土壤含水率(WHC)、总氮(TN)和硝酸盐(NO-3-N)含量等显著负相关(p0.01),与pH显著正相关(p0.01).以上结果表明,土壤有机碳和酶活性的变化是对湿地退化的响应,湿地退化碳库的损失与PPO活性增加有关,而WHC、TN、NO-3-N和pH是影响PPO活性分布的重要因子.     

巢湖沉积物有效态磷与硫的DGT原位同步分析研究

沉积物有效态磷(P)与硫(S)的含量分布是影响湖泊营养元素循环和水体富营养化的重要因子.本文利用Zr O-Ag I薄膜梯度扩散技术(Zr O-Ag I DGT)原位同步获取了南淝河-巢湖沉积物中有效态P和S的高分辨分布信息.结果发现:绝大部分沉积物有效P和S自界面向下呈急剧升高趋势,并在50 mm深度内出现峰值;河道内沉积物有效P和S的含量高于湖体,且P在界面的表观释放通量明显高于湖体,表明河道沉积物是湖体P的输入源.部分采样点出现有效P与S同步变化的现象,两者具有显著相关性,证实沉积物内部P和S存在同步释放的规律.     

京津冀国家干线公路污染空间特征分析

以国家干线公路交通量信息和单车排放因子为基础,基于GIS的路网线性参考系统,采用动态分段技术和核密度分析方法,从路段、污染物和车型这3个层次对2014年京津冀国家干线公路交通污染排放强度的空间差异进行分析.结果表明,车流量、车型构成和路网布局是引起排放强度空间分布差异的主要因素,排放强度高的路段集中在路网密度大且公路使用率高的京津地区,中小客车和特大货车对污染物排放强度影响显著.因使用燃料和车型的不同,NO_x、PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)排放强度分布大体一致,HC、CO空间分布更为相似.此外,经济发展水平、产业结构特征也是重要影响因素.北京除特大货车和集装箱以外的其他车型排放强度均很高,天津货车和客车排放强度均较高,河北货车排放强度高于客车.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a sediment core from Lake Taihu and their associations with sedimentary organic matter

Sediment core is the recorder of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollutions and the associated sedimentary organic matter (SOM), acting as crucial supports for pollution control and environmental management. Here, the sedimentary records of PAHs and SOM in the past century in Lake Taihu, China, were reconstructed from a 50-cm sediment core. On the one hand, the presence of PAHs ranged from 8.99 to 199.2 ng/g. Vertically, PAHs declined with the depth increased, and the sedimentation history of PAHs was divided into two stages with a discontinuity at 20 cm depth. In composition, PAHs in the sediment core were dominated by three-ring PAHs (44.6% ± 9.1%, mean ± standard deviation), and were followed by four-ring (27.0% ± 3.3%), and five-ring (12.1% ± 4.0%) PAHs. In toxicity assessment, the sedimentary records of benzo[a]pyrene-based toxic equivalency were well described by an exponential model with R-square of 0.95, and the environmental background toxic value was identified as 1.62 ng/g. On the other hand, different components of SOM were successfully identified by n-alkane markers (p < 0.01) and the variations of SOM were well explained (84.6%). A discontinuity of SOM was recognized at 22 cm depth. Association study showed that the sedimentary PAHs were associated with both anthropogenic and biogenic SOM (p < 0.05) with explained variances for most individual PAHs of 60%. It indicated the vertical distributions of PAHs were driven by sedimentary SOM. Therefore, environmental processes such as biogenic factors should attract more attentions as well as PAH emissions to reduce the impacts of PAHs.     

Torpor in the Patagonian opossum (Lestodelphys halli): implications for the evolution of daily torpor and hibernation

Hibernation and daily torpor are two distinct forms of torpor, and although they are related, it is not known how and in which sequence they evolved. As the pattern of torpor expressed by the oldest marsupial order the opossums (Didelphimorphia) may provide insights into the evolution of torpor, we aimed to provide the first quantitative data on the thermal biology and torpor expression of the rare Patagonian opossum (Lestodelphys halli). It is the opossum with the southernmost distribution, has a propensity of autumnal fattening, and therefore, is likely to hibernate. We captured two male Lestodelphys, which while in captivity displayed strong daily fluctuations of body temperatures (T_b) measured with implanted miniature data loggers even when they remained normothermic. In autumn and early winter, torpor was expressed occasionally when food was available, but cold exposure and food withdrawal increased torpor use. The mean T_b throughout the study was 32.2?±?1.4 °C, the minimum T_b measured in torpid Lestodelphys was 7.7 °C, average torpor bout duration was 10.3 h, and the maximum torpor bout duration was 42.5 h. Thus, the pattern of torpor expressed by Lestodelphys was intermediate between that of daily heterotherms and hibernators suggesting that it may represent an ancestral opportunistic torpor pattern from which the derived patterns of daily torpor and seasonal hibernation diverged.     

The antennal sensilla of Melipona quadrifasciata (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini): a study of different sexes and castes

The sensilla of insects are integumental units that play a role as sensory structures and are crucial for the perception of stimuli and for communication. In this study, we compared the antennal sensilla of females (workers and queens), males (haploid (n) and diploid (2n)), and queen-like males (QLMs, resulting from 2n males after juvenile hormone (JH) treatment) in the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata. Images of the dorsal antenna surfaces were acquired using a scanning electron microscope. As reported for other hymenopterans, this species exhibits a heterogeneous sensillar distribution along the antennae. Thirteen different types of sensilla were found in the antennae of M. quadrifasciata: trichodea (subtypes I to VI), chaetica (subtypes I and II), placodea, basiconica, ampullacea, coeloconica, and coelocapitula. Sensilla trichodea I were the most abundant, followed by sensilla placodea, which might function in olfactory perception. Sensilla basiconica, sensilla chaetica I, sensilla coeloconica, and sensilla ampullacea were found exclusively in females. In terms of the composition and size of the sensilla, the antennae of QLMs most closely resemble those of the 2n male, although QLMs exhibit a queen phenotype. This study represents the first comparative analysis of the antennal sensilla of M. quadrifasciata. The differences found in the type and amount of sensilla between the castes and sexes are discussed based on the presumed sensillary functions.     

Developmental abnormalities in Glomeris marginata (Villers 1789) (Myriapoda: Diplopoda): implications for body axis determination in a myriapod

Abnormally developing embryos (ADEs) of the common pill millipede Glomeris marginata have been investigated by means of nuclear staining and mRNA in situ hybridization. It showed that all ADEs represent cases of Duplicitas posterior, which means that the posterior body pole is duplicated. The severity of the duplication ranges from duplicated posterior trunk segments in one specimen to an almost completely duplicated specimen that only shares the very anterior head region. Remarkably, none of the encountered ADEs represents a case of Duplicitas anterior (duplicated anterior pole) or a case of Duplicitas cruciata (cruciate duplication with two anterior and two posterior poles). This observation is discussed in the light of earlier reports on G. marginata ADEs that claim to have found these abnormalities. The lack of any other axial abnormality aside from D. posterior implies that early axis determination in G. marginata, and possibly myriapods in general, underlies the developmental mechanisms that prevent the formation of any other type of axial duplication. It is proposed that the formation of D. posterior-type embryos could be caused by the formation of two instead of only one posterior cumulus early during development.     

Effects of height and habitat type on egg parasitism by Trichogramma minutum and T. pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Heliothis virescens (Fabricius) eggs were sampled to determine the effects of height and habitat type (soybean field vs. uncultivated vegetation) on rates of p arasitism by Trichogramma minutum Riley and T. pretiosum Riley. The potentially confounding effects of plant associations and host density and distribution were eliminated by sampling with laboratory-produced eggs deposited on cloths, rather than with eggs naturally deposited by endemic hosts.A 3-way contingency table analysis showed that parasitism (whether the egg cloths were parasitized or not) was significantly associated with height and habitat type in 1981, with higher rates of parasitism in the uncultivated habitat and at the greater height. Parasitism was independent of height and habitat in 1982. Rates of parasitism by the two Trichogramma species were not clearly associated with habitat type, but were associated with height. T. minutum consistently parasitized egg cloths positioned at greater heights than those parasitized by T. pretiosum. While the behavioral mechanisms responsible are unknown, this inter-specific difference could have important implications with regard to selecting the most suitable of these two Trichogramma species for a particular inundative release program.     

三峡库区典型消落带土壤及沉积物中溶解性有机质(DOM)的紫外-可见光谱特征

溶解性有机质(DOM)是陆地生态系统的重要组成部分,在环境地球化学中扮演着重要角色.在测定三峡库区典型消落带土壤及沉积物DOM的紫外-可见光谱基础上,通过特征参数及光谱模型来获取DOM的地化特征和信息.紫外-可见光谱特征参数表明土壤DOM的芳香性、疏水组分及腐殖化程度都明显低于上层沉积物,与高程和土地利用类型无关;而所选择的4种吸收光谱模型中以模型2为最优.同时,不同模型和不同拟合波段均对DOM光谱曲线斜率(S)有影响:S值随波长增加而减小;而不同波段S值相关性存在差异,表明各波段S值仅反映DOM部分信息,而非全部.此外,特征斜率之比(SR)反映出表层沉积物所受降解程度(光漂白或生物降解)小于土壤和往年沉积物,其芳香性更高,分子量更大,参与降解的反应活性也更大;这表明DOM越新鲜,其受到的光照和生物作用相对较小,降解潜力越大.