Adaptive response in frogs chronically exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation in the environment

Using the micronucleus assay, decreased levels of DNA damage were found after high dose ionizing radiation exposure of liver cells taken from frogs inhabiting a natural environment with above-background levels of ionizing radiation, compared to cells taken from frogs inhabiting background areas. The data obtained from a small number of animals suggest that stress present in the above-background environment could induce an adaptive response to ionizing radiation. This study did not reveal harmful effects of exposure to low levels of radioactivity. On the contrary, stress present in the above-background area may serve to enhance cellular defense mechanisms.     

贵州喀斯特峰丛区石漠化土地调查与评价——以毕节老街村为例

脆弱喀斯特生态环境在人口压力和不合理经济活动作用下日益恶化, 土地石漠化已成为喀斯特地区最严重的生态环境问题之一, 直接威胁着当地居民的生存与发展。在对老街村进行实地踏勘和采样的基础上, 调用SPSS软件分析,结果显示:地形坡度、表土层厚度、岩石裸露程度是引起该区土地景观分异的主导因素, 其方差累积贡献率达81.224%。在此基础上, 以地貌面、土壤类型、裸石景观特点为主导标志，并结合灌草分布, 以GPS为定位手段, 借助GIS平台, 完成老街村土地类型单元调查和制图; 并利用多因子得分的几何平均数综合评价石漠化土地适宜性, 评价结果与实际吻合较好, 为土地生态设计和生态修复奠定基础。     

贵州喀斯特峰丛区石漠化土地调查与评价——以毕节老街村为例

脆弱喀斯特生态环境在人口压力和不合理经济活动作用下日益恶化,土地石漠化已成为喀斯特地区最严重的生态环境问题之一,直接威胁着当地居民的生存与发展。在对老街村进行实地踏勘和采样的基础上,调用SPSS软件分析,结果显示:地形坡度、表土层厚度、岩石裸露程度是引起该区土地景观分异的主导因素,其方差累积贡献率达81.224%。在此基础上,以地貌面、土壤类型、裸石景观特点为主导标志,并结合灌草分布,以GPS为定位手段,借助GIS平台,完成老街村土地类型单元调查和制图;并利用多因子得分的几何平均数综合评价石漠化土地适宜性,评价结果与实际吻合较好,为土地生态设计和生态修复奠定基础。     

Multiple stressor effects of radiation and metals in salmon (Salmo salar)

These experiments were designed to look at the cellular effects in key organs in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) after exposure in vivo to radiation and subtoxic levels of aluminum (Al) and cadmium (Cd), alone or in combination. Salmon (25g) were exposed to a single 0.5Gy dose of gamma-irradiation in water containing Cd, Al or Cd+Al. Three fish per group were sacrificed after 1h and the liver, pronephros, fin and gill of each was dissected. Small explants of each tissue were set up. After 2 days, the culture medium was harvested and filtered then placed on a reporter cell line for determination of stress signal activity (bystander effects). Radiation in combination with Cd and/or Al, caused bystander effects in tissues harvested from in vivo exposed salmon. The effects vary between different organs and are not consistently additive or synergistic for a given treatment. Tissue type appears to be critical. Liver cultures produce a toxic factor which is lethal to reporter cells, and therefore no liver data could be obtained. It is hoped that this stress signal response will prove to be a useful indicator of environmental stress in species inhabiting aquatic ecosystems.     

A common approach for radiological protection of humans and the environment

Protection of the environment is developing rapidly at the national and international level, but there are still no internationally agreed recommendations as to how radiological protection of the environment should be carried out. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) is currently reviewing its existing recommendations for human protection. It has set up a task group with the aim of developing a protection policy for, and suggesting a framework of, the protection of the environment that could feed into its recommendations at the start of the 21st century. The task group will propose a framework for the protection of the environment from harmful effects of radiation, harmonising with the principles for the protection of humans. Although the task group has not yet finalised on the objectives for the environment, these might be to safeguard the environment by preventing or reducing the frequency of effects likely to cause early mortality, reduced reproductive success, or the occurrence of scorable DNA damage in individual fauna and flora to a level where they would have a negligible impact on conservation of species, maintenance of biodiversity, or the health and status of natural habitats or communities. To achieve these objectives, a set of reference dose models, reference dose per unit intake and reference organisms will be required.     

城市湖泊有机质氮同位素差异及其对水污染的指示作用分析

如何对湖泊生态环境修复效果进行评价是当前湖泊生态修复工作的难点所在,以武汉市内不同修复状态湖泊为研究对象,通过分析湖泊水体营养盐浓度、水质类别、综合营养状态指数TLI（Σ）与湖泊不同有机质δ15N的关系,探讨以水体中某一有机质δ15N指示城市湖泊水污染状态,进而作为湖泊修复效果评价指标的可行性。结果表明：武汉南湖、东湖、内沙湖水质分别为劣Ⅴ类、Ⅳ类、Ⅲ类;水体富营养化程度分别为重度富营养、轻度富营养、中营养;南湖有机质δ15N均值最高为13.193‰（8.394‰~19.380‰）;东湖δ15N次之为8.191‰（5.162‰~13.488‰）;内沙湖δ15N最低为2.940‰（0.001‰~6.433‰）。不同湖泊有机质δ15N与表层水 c(TN)、c(DIN)、c(NH+4-N)、c(TP)、水质类别和TLI（Σ）呈正相关趋势,其中悬浮有机质、沉水植物δ15N与水污染参数的相关性最为显著,均能有效表征城市湖泊水污染状态;为了采样的简便性及样品的通用性,建议以悬浮有机质δ15N作为城市湖泊水污染状态及水环境治理效果的快速评价指标。     

Genotoxic effect of exposure to metal(loid)s. A molecular epidemiology survey of populations living and working in Panasqueira mine area,Portugal

Previous studies investigating the exposure to metal(loid)s of populations living in the Panasqueira mine area of central Portugal found a higher internal dose of elements such as arsenic, chromium, lead, manganese, molybdenum and zinc in exposed individuals. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the extent of genotoxic damage caused by environmental and occupational exposure in individuals previously tested for metal(loid) levels in different biological matrices, and the possible modulating role of genetic polymorphisms involved in metabolism and DNA repair. T-cell receptor mutation assay, comet assay, micronucleus (MN) test and chromosomal aberrations (CA) were performed in a group of 122 subjects working in the Panasqueira mine or living in the same region. The modifying effect of polymorphisms in GSTA2, GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1, XRCC1, APEX1, MPG, MUTYH, OGG1, PARP1, PARP4, ERCC1, ERCC4, and ERCC5 genes was investigated. Significant increases in the frequency of all biomarkers investigated were found in exposed groups, however those environmentally exposed were generally higher. Significant influences of polymorphisms were observed for GSTM1 deletion and OGG1 rs1052133 on CA frequencies, APEX1 rs1130409 on DNA damage, ERCC1 rs3212986 on DNA damage and CA frequency, and ERCC4 rs1800067 on MN and CA frequencies. Our results show that the metal(loid) contamination in the Panasqueira mine area induced genotoxic damage both in individuals working in the mine or living in the area. The observed effects are closely associated to the internal exposure dose, and are more evident in susceptible genotypes. The urgent intervention of authorities is required to protect exposed populations.     

Occupational exposure of farm workers to pesticides: biochemical parameters and evaluation of genotoxicity

To assess the effects of exposure to complex mixtures of pesticides in farm workers from two communities from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, we evaluated the activities of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) enzymes, hematological, lipid parameters, and genotoxicity using two tests to detect DNA damage, the Comet assay in peripheral blood leukocytes and the micronucleus (MN) test in oral mucosa cells. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE), age and smoke habits were considered in the analysis. There was a significant decrease in the BChE and ALA-D activities in farm workers (n=37) relative to the control group (n=20) (P< or =0.05 and P< or =0.001, respectively). The Comet assay in peripheral blood leukocytes showed that the Damage index and Damage frequency observed in the exposed group were significantly higher in relation to the controls (P< or =0.001, and P< or =0.05, respectively). No differences were detected regarding the hematological parameters, lipids profile, and MN frequencies. In addition, no significant differences were observed between younger (< or =38 years) and older subjects (>38 years), or between smokers and non-smokers within the groups, either by Comet assay or MN test. However, the use of PPE seems to be important in the prevention of contamination, as suggested by BChE levels and Comet assay results.     

Health and environmental costs of pesticide use in vegetable farming in Nepal

There is a growing concern of pesticide risks to human health, natural environment and ecosystems. Many previous economic valuations have accounted health aspects or environmental components, but rarely combined; thus, overall risk assessment is partially distorted. The study, conducted close to the capital of Nepal, addressed the health effects of pesticides on small-scale farmers and evaluated the monetary risks of pesticide use on human health and environmental resources. We also aim to establish the relationships among valuation methods. The paper adopts cost of illness, defensive expenditure and contingent valuation willingness to pay approach. The study concluded that the methods used for valuing pesticide risks to human and environmental health are theoretically consistent. The exposed individuals are likely to bear significant economic costs of exposures depending on geographical location, pesticide use magnitudes and frequency. Individuals are willing to pay between 53 and 79% more than the existing pesticide price to protect their health and environment. The integrated pest management training is less likely to reduce health costs of pesticide exposure, although it leads to higher investment in safety measures.     

Heavy metal accumulation by freshwater hydrobionts in a mining area in the south of the Russian Far East

The contents of heavy metals (HMs) were studied in freshwater hydrobionts from the south of the Russian Far East, including the area of wastewater discharge from a lead smelter (the village of Rudnaya Pristan, Primorye). The results showed that most invertebrates disappeared from the ecosystem as the toxicity of the aquatic environment increased. Mollusks of the genus Lymnaea proved to be most tolerant of HM pollution. As the contents of Pb, Mn, Cd, and Zn in bottom sediments increased, the amounts of these metals in mollusk bodies increased as well but to a much lesser extent, with the intensity of HM accumulation decreasing at their higher concentrations in the environment. The range of HM concentrations accumulated in the bodies of limneids noticeably broadened with an increase in technogenic impact. This is evidence for differences in the efficiency of mechanisms regulating the contents of trace elements in individuals of the same species under conditions of extreme pollution.     

农户参与村域生态治理行为分析 ——基于认同、人际与制度三维视角

利用湖北省603份农户微观调研数据,通过纳入农村熟人社会情境因素,构建人际信任、制度信任和群体认同的三维分析框架,探讨农户参与村域生态治理的行为逻辑和影响因素。研究结果表明：（1）人际信任、制度信任和群体认同均对农户村域生态治理参与行为有显著的正向影响。（2）人际信任在群体认同和农户村域生态治理参与行为之间起着中介作用;同时,群体认同在制度信任和农户村域生态治理参与行为间起着负向的调节作用。（3）在纳入群体认同的情况下,农户的人际信任和制度信任对其村域生态治理参与行为起着相反的作用,即人际信任和制度信任之间可能存在一种“替代”关系。基于此,通过营造一种互惠互利的社会风尚,让生态治理政策的内容和村集体行动更能够契合广大农户的意愿及体现村民的意志,可以提高农户村域生态治理的参与度。     

Biomonitoring of oral epithelial cells in petrol station attendants: Comparison between buccal mucosa and lateral border of the tongue

Owing to the influence of geno- and cytotoxicity on chemical carcinogenesis, studies have demonstrated that petroleum derivatives are able to induce genetic damage and cellular death with conflicting results so far. The aim of the present study was to comparatively evaluate DNA damage (micronucleus) and cellular death (pyknosis, karyolysis and karyorrhexis) in exfoliated oral mucosa cells from gas petrol attendants using two different anatomic buccal sites: cheek mucosa and lateral border of the tongue. A total of 23 gas petrol attendants and 23 health controls (non-exposed individuals) were included in this setting. Individuals had epithelial cells from cheek and lateral border of the tongue mechanically exfoliated, placed in fixative and dropped in clean slides which were checked for the above nuclear phenotypes. The results pointed out significant statistical differences (p < 0.05) of micronucleated oral mucosa cells from gas petrol attendants for both oral sites evaluated. In the same way, petroleum derivate exposure was able to increase other nuclear alterations closely related to cytotoxicity such as karyorrhexis, pyknosis and karyolysis, being the most pronunciated effects as those found in the lateral border of the tongue. No interaction was observed between smoking and petroleum exposure. In summary, these data indicate that gas petrol attendants comprise a high risk group for DNA damage and cellular death. It seems that the lateral border of the tongue is a more sensitive site to geno- and cytotoxic insult induced by petroleum derivates.     

Trends of interpopulation variation in meristic characters of seismosensory canals on the head of roach, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rutilus rutilus</Emphasis> (L.), in anthropogenically polluted environments

Patterns in the quantitative manifestation of meristic characters of seismosensory canals on the head of roach have been studied in fish from populations inhabiting ten river and pond water areas of the Udmurt Republic exposed to different kinds and levels of anthropogenic pollution. Trends of interpopulation variation in the average numbers of pores in some seismosensory canals have been revealed, and their statistical relationship with the level of pollution has been evaluated.     

鄱阳湖湿地土壤-植物-地下水稳定氧同位素组成分析

近年来,鄱阳湖水位持续走低,极端干旱事件频繁发生,湿地生态系统结构与功能遭受破坏。为此,于2014年鄱阳湖湿地保护区两个断面分层采集0~100 cm土壤,并采集优势种植物和河湖水以及地下水数据,运用稳定同位素技术,分析了土壤-植物-河湖水-地下水稳定同位素变化特征,并探寻它们之间的补给关系。结果表明,两断面土壤水氧同位素变化范围分别为–10.48‰~–5.23‰和–12.39‰~–6.55‰,算术平均值分别为–8.36‰和–8.63‰。断面一表层(0~30 cm)土壤水氧重同位素较富集,且随深度增加而减小;断面二表层(0~40 cm)土壤水中氧同位素组成基本无变化。断面一的地下水主要是受降水补给,断面二可能是受降水和河湖水共同补给。鄱阳湖湿地两断面优势种植物虉草叶片水的氧同位素值最大,为–0.9‰,其次是灰化苔草和芦苇,分别为–4.23‰和–5.25‰。     

Groundwater radon measurements in the Mt. Etna area

Radon levels were measured in 119 groundwater samples collected throughout the active volcanic area of Mt. Etna by means of a portable Lucas-type scintillation chamber. The measured activity values range from 1.8 to 52.7 Bq l(-1). About 40% of the samples exceed the maximum contaminant level of 11 Bq l(-1) proposed by the USEPA in 1991. The highest radon levels are measured in the eastern sector of the volcano, which is the seismically most active zone of the volcano. On the contrary the south-western sector, which is both seismically active and a site of intense magmatic degassing, display lower radon levels. This is probably due to the formation of a free gas phase (oversaturation of CO(2)) that strips the radon from the water. Comparison of the data gathered at Mt. Etna with those of other areas indicates that (222)Rn activity in groundwater is positively correlated with both the content of parent elements in the aquifer rocks and the temperature of the geothermal systems that interacts with the sampled aquifers.     

社会资本对农村贫困代际传递影响机制研究

社会资本在反贫困领域的重要作用已被理论和实践所证实。在新时代脱贫攻坚的决胜阶段,有效发挥社会资本的周急济贫功能,缓解乃至阻断贫困代际传递,已成为当前反贫困战略推进中亟待探讨的问题。研究整合了四期中国家庭追踪调查(CFPS 2010、2012、2014、2016)个体家庭和村庄的嵌套数据,建立了“认知型”和“结构型”两种类型以及“个体家庭”和“村庄”两个层级的社会资本框架,并基于探索性因子分析构建了社会网络、社会信任、社会声望、社会参与、集体参与以及公共服务6个社会资本变量。研究利用HLM软件构建了多层广义线性模型(HGLM),通过四阶段的空模型、截距模型、随机效应模型以及完整模型分析了绝对贫困背景下社会资本对农村贫困代际传递的影响机制。研究结果表明:①个体社会资本总量与贫困代际传递呈显著负相关。②在个体家庭层面,社会网络、社会声望、社会参与对贫困代际传递有显著负向影响,但社会信任和地方信任对贫困代际传递的影响并不显著。③在村庄层面,公共服务对贫困代际传递具有显著负向影响,集体参与对贫困代际传递具有显著正向影响,且公共服务水平对社会网络和贫困代际传递具有正向调节作用。研究提出要大力培植贫困群体和乡村两个层级的社会资本以缓解农村贫困代际传递趋势:①要通过协调“乡政”与“村治”以形成良性的乡村治理格局。②要促进精准扶贫与乡村振兴战略紧密衔接,在保障个体脱贫的同时完善农村公共服务及基础设施建设,推进城乡基本公共服务均等化;③须提振贫困群体脱贫信心,增强村级自治与集体参与的水平和能力。     

Genetic biomonitoring of an urban population exposed to mutagenic airborne pollutants

Biomonitoring studies have increased as a consequence of risks and effects to human health on exposure to environmental contaminants, mainly air pollutants. Genetic biomarkers are useful tools for the early assessment of exposure to occupational and environmental pollution. The objective of the present study was to investigate genotoxic effects on people residing and/or working downwind from an oil refinery in southern Brazil and the mutagenic activity of airborne particulate matter (PM10). Samples of peripheral blood and buccal mucosa cells were evaluated using the single-cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) and the micronucleus (MN) assay, respectively. PM10 samples were collected in the target site and the organic matter extraced with dichloromethane was assessed for mutagenic activity in the Salmonella/microsome assay. The exposed group (n = 37) was compared to a reference group (n = 37) of subjects living in an urban area with limited traffic and industrial influence, located far from the main industrial areas. All PM10 organic extracts showed mutagenic positive responses and the effect decreased in the presence of S9 mix indicating that the predominant compounds present were direct-acting mutagens. The responses of YGs strains are consistent with aromatic amines and nitroarenes being present in the PM10 extracts. The group in the area under the influence of the oil refinery (exposed group) showed significantly higher DNA damage in lymphocytes than the reference group. The MN frequencies in buccal mucosa were very low for both groups and no difference between groups was observed. No association was found between age and tobacco smoking habit and level of DNA damages measured by the comet assay. The results indicate that the comet assay was a sensitive tool to detect DNA damage in subjects under the influence of an oil refinery, with marked genotoxic activity in the atmospheric environment.     

运用碳氮稳定同位素技术探究中华绒螯蟹与无齿螳臂相手蟹的营养生态位特征

为进一步保护中华绒螯蟹栖息地和种质资源,科学评估长江蟹类的营养关系及资源的可持续开发利用,运用稳定同位素技术分析了在长江靖江、新开沙及狼山沙3个采集区域的中华绒螯蟹和无齿螳臂相手蟹的稳定同位素特征,并根据δ13C、δ15N值分析二者的生态宽幅及营养生态位面积。结果表明：中华绒螯蟹与无齿螳臂相手蟹的δ13C、δ15N值差异均具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。中华绒螯蟹的δ13C值频率分布相对集中在-25.00‰~-23.00‰;无齿螳臂相手蟹的δ13C值频率分布相对集中在-26.00‰~-24.00‰,表明两种蟹均对某种饵料生物有所偏好,且中华绒螯蟹的δ13C值频率分布范围大于无齿螳臂相手蟹,表明其食物来源更广。中华绒螯蟹与无齿螳臂相手蟹的营养生态位存在重叠,表明二者存在饵料竞争关系。其中靖江江段两种蟹的营养生态位重叠程度最大,表明二者在靖江江段食物竞争最激烈。中华绒螯蟹的δ13C值变幅(CR)、δ15N值变幅(NR)及营养生态位总面积(Ta)均大于无齿螳臂相手蟹,说明中华绒螯蟹对于饵料资源的竞争能力更强。     

主动参与还是被动选择:农户村域环境治理参与行为及效果差异分析

基于湖北省的调研数据,分析农户参与村域环境治理的行为及行为效果,并运用Heckman两阶段模型加以实证检验。结果发现:是否为村干部、家庭总人口、家庭年收入、家庭耕地面积、行为认知、环境状况评价、气候变化感知以及政府激励是农户参与村域环境治理的关键因素。受教育年限、环境容忍度、行为认知、环境状况评价以及气候变化感知则对农户环境治理参与行为效果有显著影响。在此基础上,从农户参与环境治理的行为动机出发,并借助Oaxaca-Blinder反事实分解方法,探讨主动参与和被动参与两种行为的效果差异及产生差异的原因。结果显示,禀赋差异和禀赋回报率差异均致使主动参与者的行为效果均值（3.729）显著高于被动参与者的行为效果均值（3.027）。其中,受教育年限、行为认知和气候变化感知的差异是主动参与者和被动参与者行为效果存在差异的主要因素。     

Marsh Frog (Rana ridibunda Pall.) in Cooling Ponds in the Middle Urals

Environmental conditions in cooling ponds of thermal power plants are favorable for marsh frogs. Their populations inhabiting Verkhne-Tagil and Reftinskoe reservoirs differ in some traits, such as size and age composition, growth rate after metamorphosis, spawning type, fecundity, and characteristics of larval development. Differentiation in body size manifests itself at the early stages of terrestrial life and progresses at later stages. As a consequence, larger individuals may reach maturity and participate in reproduction at an earlier age.