Phytotoxicity in seven higher plant species exposed to di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butyl phthalate or bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

We investigated phytotoxicity in seven plant species exposed to a range of concentrations (0–500 mg·kg^?1 soil) of di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) or bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), two representative phthalate esters (PAEs) nominated by USEPA as priority pollutants and known environmental estrogens. We studied seed germination, root elongation, seedling growth, biomass (fresh weight, FW) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of shoots and roots of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), radish (Raphanus sativus L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), oat (Avena sativa) and onion (Allium cepa L.), together with monitoring of plant pigment content (chlorophyll a, b and carotinoids) in alfalfa, radish and onion shoots. Root elongation, seedling growth and biomass of the test species were generally inhibited by DnBP but not by DEHP, indicating a lower level of phytotoxicity of DEHP than of DnBP. MDA contents of four species were promoted by PAE exposure, but not in alfalfa, ryegrass or onion shoots, indicating lower sensitivity of these three species to PAE pollutants. Plant pigment contents were clearly affected under the stress of both pollutants, implying the potential damage to the photosynthetic system of test plants, mainly by decreasing the content of chlorophyll a and b. Results of DnBP and DEHP phytotoxicity to the primary growth of test plants has provided information for the assessment of their environmental risk in the soil and also forms a basis for the further analysis of their toxic effects over the whole growth period of different plant species.     

Effects of deltamethrin on serum calcium and corpuscles of Stannius of freshwater catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis

Adult male deer mice were exposed every other day for a period of 11 days to either 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA; CAS# 57-97-6) or benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF; CAS# 205-99-2) (0, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, or 30?mg?kg^?1). Immune endpoints assessed were lymphocyte proliferation, macrophage pinocytosis, and the antibody plaque-forming cell (PFC) response. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) activity was assessed using ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and pentoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (PROD). Macrophage pinocytosis was not altered by either compound. Both T- and B-cell proliferations were significantly increased by DMBA at 0.3 or 1?mg?kg^?1 and by BbF at 10 or 30?mg?kg^?1, but decreased by DMBA at 30?mg?kg^?1. Sheep red blood cell (SRBC)-specific-IgM production, as measured by the PFC response, was the most striking adverse immune effect observed and was significantly suppressed compared to control at all treatment concentrations for both compounds. EROD activity was markedly induced by DMBA at 30?mg?kg^?1, while BbF produced induction at 1, 10, or 30?mg?kg^?1. No marked effect on PROD activity was noted following DMBA treatment, but BbF-induced PROD activity at 1, 10, or 30?mg?kg^?1. Unexpectedly, four of six mice in the 30?mg DMBA?kg^?1 group did not survive to the end of the experiment, and one animal died in both the 3 and 10?mg?kg^?1 treatments. The calculated LD₅₀ was 20.8?mg DMBA?kg^?1. The PFC response in deer mice was a more sensitive endpoint than CYP450 activity, suggesting that utilization of CYP450 endpoints in risk assessment without assessment of immune function, specifically antibody production, might possibly underestimate the risk to wild rodents environmentally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Ecotoxicological risks of the abandoned F–Ba–Pb–Zn mining area of Osor (Spain)

Due to its potential toxic properties, metal mobilization is of major concern in areas surrounding Pb–Zn mines. In the present study, metal contents and toxicity of soils, aqueous extracts from soils and mine drainage waters from an abandoned F–Ba–Pb–Zn mining area in Osor (Girona, NE Spain) were evaluated through chemical extractions and ecotoxicity bioassays. Toxicity assessment in the terrestrial compartment included lethal and sublethal endpoints on earthworms Eisenia fetida, arthropods Folsomia candida and several plant species, whereas aquatic tests involved bacteria Vibrio fischeri, microalgae Raphidocelis subcapitata and crustaceans Daphnia magna. Total concentrations of Ba (250–5110 mg kg^?1), Pb (940 to >5000 mg kg^?1) and Zn (2370–11,300 mg kg^?1) in soils exceeded intervention values to protect human health. Risks for the aquatic compartment were identified in the release of drainage waters and in the potential leaching and runoff of metals from contaminated soils, with Cd (1.98–9.15 µg L^?1), Pb (2.11–326 µg L^?1) and Zn (280–2900 µg L^?1) concentrations in filtered water samples surpassing US EPA Water Quality Criteria (2016a, b). Terrestrial ecotoxicity tests were in accordance with metal quantifications and identified the most polluted soil as the most toxic. Avoidance and reproduction tests with earthworms showed the highest sensitivity to metal contamination. Aquatic bioassays performed in aqueous extracts from soils confirmed the results from terrestrial tests and also detected toxic effects caused by the mine drainage waters. Algal growth inhibition was the most sensitive aquatic endpoint. In view of the results, the application of a containment or remediative procedure in the area is encouraged.     

Biomarkers indicate mixture toxicities of fluorene and phenanthrene with endosulfan toward earthworm (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eisenia fetida</Emphasis>)

α-Endosulfan and some polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) are persistent in the environment and can reach crop products via contaminated agricultural soils. They may even be present as mixtures in the soil and induce mixture toxicity in soil organisms such as earthworms. In this study, the combined toxicities of PAHs with α-endosulfan were determined in Eisenia fetida adults using an artificial soil system. α-Endosulfan and five PAHs were tested for their acute toxicity toward E. fetida in artificial soils. Only α-endosulfan, fluorene, and phenanthrene showed acute toxicities, with LC₅₀ values of 9.7, 133.2, and 86.2 mg kg^?1, respectively. A mixture toxicity assay was conducted using α-endosulfan at LC₁₀ and fluorene or phenanthrene at LC₅₀ in the artificial soils. Upon exposure to the mixture of fluorene and α-endosulfan, earthworms were killed in increasing numbers owing to their synergistic effects, while no other mixture showed any additional toxicity toward the earthworms. Along with the acute toxicity results, the biochemical and molecular changes in the fluorene- and phenanthrene-treated earthworms with or without α-endosulfan treatment demonstrated that enhancement of glutathione S-transferase activity was dependent on the addition of PAH chemicals, and the HSP70 gene expression increased with the addition of α-endosulfan. Taken together, these findings contribute toward understanding the adverse effects of pollutants when present separately or in combination with other types of chemicals.     

Characteristics of residual organochlorine pesticides in soils under different land-use types on a coastal plain of the Yellow River Delta

The residual levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were examined in soils covering five types of land use along a salinity gradient on the Yellow River Delta. The most prominent OCPs were dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (∑DDT, arithmetic mean = 5.11 μg kg^?1), hexachlorocyclohexane (∑HCH, 1.69 μg kg^?1) and ∑endosulfan (10.4 μg kg^?1). The spatial variability of OCPs composition shifted from γ-HCH and o,p′-DDT dominated pesticides in coastal soils to p,p′-DDE dominated pesticides in inland soils. In different land-use types, the percentages of β-HCH and p,p′-DDE are characterized by more recalcitrant components in decreasing order of vegetable fields, cereal fields, cotton fields, wetlands and tidal flats with increasing soil salinity. However, the less recalcitrant components, γ-HCH and o,p′-DDT, showed an opposite trend. Endosulfan sulfate predominated in all land-use types. Residual levels of β-HCH were affected by soil organic matter. The correlations between γ-HCH and clay content and between p,p′-DDE, o,p′-DDT and salinity might associate with the influence of sediment cotransport by the Yellow River and the density of anthropogenic activities in coastal region. Depth distribution of the OCPs in typical soil profiles also implied that local historical usage and sediment transport by the Yellow River both affected the OCPs residual in this region.     

环草隆对城市绿地重金属污染土壤有机氮矿化、基础呼吸及相关酶活性的影响

城市土壤重金属和有机污染物复合污染广泛存在,而城市草坪除草剂的应用使城市绿地土壤的农药污染问题成为了新的关注点。为了准确评价城市绿地重金属污染土壤的农药污染生态风险,选择不同重金属污染程度的土壤为研究对象,以土壤有机氮矿化量、基础呼吸以及土壤酶活性为指标,采用室内模拟试验方法,探讨了草坪除草剂环草隆污染对土壤微生物的生态毒理效应。结果表明:(1)土壤有机氮矿化、基础呼吸、芳基硫酸酯酶和碱性磷酸酶对重金属和环草隆污染响应较为敏感,脲酶和蔗糖酶对重金属和环草隆污染不敏感。(2)环草隆浓度为0~1 000 mg·kg~(-1)范围内,和污染较轻的样点N土壤的碱性磷酸酶活性抑制(激活)率的线性相关关系显著,和污染较为严重的样点D和G土壤的芳基硫酸酯酶活性抑制(激活)率的线性关系显著。(3)土壤中环草隆对样点D和G土壤芳香硫酸酯酶活性、对样点N土壤碱性磷酸酶活性抑制(激活)率的EC10分别为568 mg·kg~(-1)、1 306 mg·kg~(-1)(抑制值)和56 mg·kg~(-1)(激活值)、99 mg·kg~(-1),EC50分别为1 901 mg·kg~(-1)、3 806 mg·kg~(-1)、2 321 mg·kg~(-1)。以上研究结果能够为城市土壤重金属和农药复合污染生态风险评价提供基础数据和技术方法。     

Uptake and accumulation of potentially toxic elements in colonized plant species around the world’s largest antimony mine area,China

To provide information on reclamation of multi-heavy metal polluted soils with conception of phytostabilization, a field survey on the uptake and accumulation of potentially toxic elements such as antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in colonized plant species around the world’s largest antimony mine area, China, was conducted. Samples including leaves and shoots (including roots and stems) of colonized plants as well as rhizospheric soils were collected from eight sampling zones in the studied area. The results showed that the contents of Cu, Zn, and Pb in rhizospheric soils below plants were comparable to the corresponding background values of Hunan province, otherwise Sb, Cd, and As contents were extremely high (17–106, 17–87, and 3–7 times of the corresponding background values). The highest concentration of Sb was found in Aster subulatus (410 mg kg^?1); Cd, As, and Zn were in Herba bidentis bipinnatae (10.9, 264, and 265 mg kg^?1, respectively); and Cu was in Artemisia lavandulaefolia (27.1 mg kg^?1). It also exhibited that all the contents of As in leaves were several times of those in shoots of plants, Cd and other heavy metals showed in a similar pattern in several studied species, implying that the uptake route of these heavy metals via foliar might contribute to the accumulation. With high bioconcentration factors of heavy metals (more than 1, except for Zn), together with the growth abundance, Herba bidentis bipinnatae was considered as the most suitable colonized species for phytostabilization of the multi-heavy metal pollution in soils on this antimony mine area.     

土壤中铜的生物可给性及其对人体的健康风险评价

为了研究土壤中铜的生物可给性与土壤理化性质之间的相互关系以及人体无意摄入土壤铜的风险,采集我国一些地区的15个土壤样品,利用in vitro方法研究了这些土壤中铜的生物可给性及其对人体的健康风险。结果表明,有2个土壤样品中铜的含量高过我国土壤环境质量标准的三级标准,有8个土壤样品中铜的含量高过二级标准;土壤中铜的溶解态浓度及其生物可给性变化很大,胃肠阶段铜的溶解态含量分别为5.2~308.8 mg·kg~(-1)和5.9~348.5 mg·kg~(-1),平均值分别为74.8 mg·kg~(-1)和82.0 mg·kg~(-1);而铜的生物可给性分别为183%~66.6%和213%~77.4%,平均值分别为442%和51.1%。胃阶段铜的生物可给性与土壤有机质和pH呈显著正相关,而与粘粒呈显著负相关,与铁铝氧化物有显著相关性;小肠阶段铜的生物可给性与土壤有机质和pH呈显著正相关,与土壤中总铜和锰氧化物含量呈显著负相关。如以胃阶段为判断,无意摄人土壤中铜对儿童的TDI(tolerable daily intake)贡献率除浙江富阳为2.51%外,有12个土壤样品低于1.00%,最低为0.11%。如以小肠阶段为判断,无意摄入土壤中铜对儿童的TDI贡献率除浙江富阳和浙江台州的土壤分别为2.83%和2.01%,另有12个土壤样品低于1.00%。可见,对于本研究中大多数土壤,通过口部无意摄入土壤中铜的对人体并没有很高的风险。     

生物质炭对土霉素胁迫下小白菜种子萌发的影响

采用土培模拟污染实验,将甘蔗渣炭、菠萝渣炭和木薯渣炭分别以0%、0.1%、0.5%和1.0%的炭土比添加到砖红壤中,研究土霉素胁迫下小白菜种子萌发效应。结果表明:(1)生物质炭促进种子萌发;土霉素在0~300 mg·kg~(-1)胁迫下种子发芽率未受明显影响,300~500 mg·kg~(-1)时受轻微抑制。(2)土霉素为0~100 mg·kg~(-1)时对种子根及芽伸长呈促进作用,促进率最高达33.05%。100~500 mg·kg~(-1)呈抑制效应,最大抑制率63.98%;种子对土霉素的敏感顺序依次为:根伸长>芽伸长>发芽率。(3)在土霉素胁迫下炭土比与种子根伸长呈显著正相关。3种生物质炭对小白菜种子根及芽伸长的促进效果呈:木薯渣炭>菠萝渣炭>甘蔗渣炭。(4)生物质炭和低浓度土霉素共同促进小白菜萌发,对高浓度土霉素毒性有缓解作用。     

Phytotoxic effects of phenolic acids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Merostachys riedeliana,</Emphasis> a native and overabundant Brazilian bamboo

Merostachys riedeliana Rupr. is a native and overabundant bamboo species in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Moderate to strong allelopathic activity may be one mechanism that explains this super-dominance and the changes in structure and composition of forest areas occupied by bamboo. This study evaluated the phytotoxic effect of M. riedeliana extracts and fractions and identified their putative allelochemicals. We investigated the presence of allelochemicals in soil collected from stands occupied by M. riedeliana. Furthermore, we evaluated the putative effect of tree allelochemicals, individually and combined, on germination and growth. The aqueous extract of leaves and its ethyl acetate fraction presented the highest inhibitory effects on seed germination and seedling growth. The effect of the extracts and fractions on the target species was species-specific. Neither the individual nor the combined phenolic acids significantly inhibited seed germination; however, a pronounced growth inhibition was observed in M. bimucronata seedlings treated with vanillic acid and in E. verna and M. bimucronata seedlings treated with combined phenolic acids. Isovitexin, vitexin, isoorientin, orientin, and their O-glycoside derivatives, the lactonic dimer of the p-hydroxybenzoic acid and 3,4-methylenedioxymandelic acid were identified in the aqueous extracts and ethyl acetate fraction by Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Dectector/Electrospray Ionization/Mass Spectrometry (LC-DAD/ESI–MS/MS). The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC–MS) profile of the same extract and fraction showed the presence of benzoic, benzeneacetic, salicylic, p-hydroxybenzoic, p-hydroxyphenylacetic, vanillic, p-coumaric, protocatechuic, syringic, gallic, m-coumaric vanillylmandelic, 4-methylmandelic, 3,4-methylenedioxymandelic and trans-ferulic acids. The p-benzoic acid and the apigenin 6-C-glucoside (isovitexin) were identified in the soil extract collected from under bamboo-growing areas. Even though laboratory bioassays are not completely predictive of the allelopathic effects that occur in nature, the results of this study provide preliminary evidence of allelopathy as a possible species-specific inhibition mechanism of native species that explain the impoverishment of floristic richness and the functional groups in areas where M. riedeliana is overabundant.     

Assessment of heavy metals contamination in soils surrounding a gold mine: comparison of two digestion methods

This study investigated two digestion methods (USEPA 3051: microwave, HNO₃ or Hossner: hot plate, HF–H₂SO₄–HClO₄) for heavy metals analysis in contaminated soil surrounding Mahad AD'Dahab mine, Saudi Arabia. Moreover, contamination metal levels were estimated. The Hossner and USEPA 3051 methods showed, respectively, average total contents of 17.2 and 18.1 mg kg^?1 for Cd, 11.6 and 10.6 mg kg^?1 for Co, 45.7 and 34.7 mg kg^?1 for Cr, 1030 and 1100 mg kg^?1 for Cu, 33,300 and 27,400 mg kg^?1 for Fe, 963 and 872 mg kg^?1 for Mn, 33.2 and 22.8 mg kg^?1 for Ni, 791 and 782 mg kg^?1for Pb, and 6320 and 2870 mg kg^?1 for Zn. A lack of significant differences and a high correlation coefficient (>90%) for Cd, Pb and Cu between the two digestion methods suggest that the total-recoverable method (USEPA 3051) may be equivalent to the total-total digestion method (Hossner) for determining these metals in the studied soil. However, significantly higher concentrations of Cr, Fe, Ni and Zn were found by the Hossner method comapred with the USEPA 3051 method. The soil samples have very or extremely high levels of Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb contamination, indicating very high potential ecological risk.     

铜胁迫对农田土壤酶活性、细菌和古菌数量的影响

为了研究铜矿周边农田土壤中不同Cu含量对土壤酶活性、细菌和古菌基因拷贝数的影响,在铜矿周边农田土壤中采集了8个不同Cu含量的土壤,测定土壤的酶活性、细菌和古菌基因拷贝数,结果表明,土壤总Cu含量为28.30~1 019.27mg·kg~(-1),酸可提取态Cu含量为335~415.11 mg·kg~(-1),细菌16S rRNA基因拷贝数在每克干土3.10×10~(10)~1.84×10~(11)个之间,古茵16S rRNA基因拷贝数在每克干土737×10~8~6.82×10~9个之间。土壤总Cu和酸可提取态Cu含量对土壤脲酶活性影响较大,但对土壤脱氢酶和转化酶活性影响不显著。土壤细菌基因拷贝数均与总Cu含量、各形态Cu含量呈极显著的负相关关系,同样土壤古菌基因拷贝数与总Cu含量、各形态Cu含量也均呈极显著的负相关关系,说明Cu胁迫对土壤细菌和古菌活性具有较大的抑制作用。     

Effect of ultraviolet irradiation and chlorination on ampicillin-resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> and its ampicillin resistance gene

Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health risk that may spread via potable and reclaimed water. Effective disinfection is important for inactivation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and disruption of antibiotic resistance genes. Ampicillin is a widely prescribed antibiotic but its effectiveness is increasingly undermined by resistance. In this study, changes in ampicillin resistance for Escherichia coli (E. coli) CGMCC 1.1595 were analyzed after exposure to different doses of ultraviolet (UV) or chlorine, and damage incurred by the plasmid encoding ampicillin resistance gene bla _TEM-1 was assessed. We reported a greater stability in ampicillinresistant E. coli CGMCC 1.1595 after UV irradiation or chlorination when compared with previously published data for other E. coli strains. UV irradiation and chlorination led to a shift in the mortality frequency distributions of ampicillin-resistant E. coli when subsequently exposed to ampicillin. The ampicillin hemiinhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) without disinfection was 3800 mg·L^–1, and an increment was observed after UV irradiation or chlorination. The IC₅₀ of ampicillin-resistant E. coli was 1.5-fold higher at a UV dose of 40 mJ·cm^–2, and was 1.4-fold higher when exposed to 2.0 mg·L^–1 chlorine. These results indicate that UV irradiation and chlorination can potentially increase the risk of selection for E. coli strains with high ampicillin resistance. There was no evident damage to bla _TEM-1 after 1–10 mg Cl₂·L^–1 chlorination, while a UV dose of 80 mJ·cm^–2 yielded a damage ratio for bla _TEM-1 of approximately 1.2-log. Therefore, high UV doses are required for effective disruption of antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria.     

Effect of arsenic species on the growth and arsenic accumulation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus</Emphasis>

The effects of arsenic (As) species, such as As(III), As(V) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), on the accumulation of As in cucumber (Cucumis sativus), as well as on its growth in a soil mesocosm were evaluated. When Cucumis sativus was cultivated in soils contaminated with 20 and 50 mg/kg of As(III), As(V) or DMA for 40 days, the growth was markedly inhibited by the inorganic As (As(III) and As(V)) rather than the organic As (DMA). Irrespective of the As species, the As concentrations accumulated in Cucumis sativus increased with increasing As concentration in the soil. The As bioaccumulation factors from soil into the tissue of Cucumis sativus were 17.5–35.4, 29.3–42.7 and 17.6–25.7 for As(III), As(V) and DMA, respectively. In addition, the As translocation factors from the roots to shoots were 0.025–0.031, 0.018–0.032 and 0.014–0.026 for As(III), As(V) and DMA, respectively. In conclusion, Cucumis sativus mainly accumulated As in its roots rather than its shoots and easily accumulated inorganic rather than organic As from the soil into its tissue.     

芹菜素对丙烯腈引起大鼠精子脂质过氧化和DNA损伤的影响

分析芹菜素(apigenin,AP)对丙烯腈(acrylonitrile,ACN)引起的大鼠精子脂质过氧化和DNA损伤的影响,并探讨其可能的机制。将50只SPF级SD成年雄性大鼠随机分为阴性对照组(玉米油)、ACN组(50 mg·kg~(-1)ACN)、低AP组(50 mg·kg~(-1)ACN+234 mg·kg~(-1)AP)、高AP组(50 mg·kg~(-1)ACN+468 mg·kg~(-1)AP)、N-乙酰半胱氨酸(N-acetylcysteine,NAC)组(50 mg·kg~(-1)ACN+300mg·kg~(-1)NAC),以5 m L·(kg bw)~(-1)灌胃染毒,1次·d~(-1),6 d·周~(-1),连续13周。检测大鼠精子活性氧(ROS)、丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性以及精子DNA损伤情况。结果发现,ACN组、低AP组、高AP组、NAC组精子ROS、MDA含量显著升高,SOD活力显著降低,精子尾部DNA含量百分比、尾长、尾距、Olive尾距均显著增高于对照组(均P0.05);而低AP组、高AP组、NAC组精子ROS、MDA含量、SOD活性和精子DNA损伤情况与ACN组相比差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。提示ACN可引起大鼠精子脂质过氧化和DNA损伤,而AP、NAC对其无干预作用。     

Kinetic and mechanism studies of the adsorption of lead onto waste cow bone powder (WCBP) surfaces

This study examines the adsorption isotherms, kinetics and mechanisms of Pb²⁺ sorption onto waste cow bone powder (WCBP) surfaces. The concentrations of Pb²⁺ in the study range from 10 to 90 mg/L. Although the sorption data follow the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm, a detailed examination reveals that surface sorption or complexation and co-precipitation are the most important mechanisms, along with possibly ion exchange and solid diffusion also contributing to the overall sorption process. The co-precipitation of Pb²⁺ with the calcium hydroxyapatite (Ca-HAP) is implied by significant changes in Ca²⁺ and PO₄ ^3? concentrations during the metal sorption processes. The Pb²⁺ sorption onto the WCBP surface by metal complexation with surface functional groups such as ≡ POH. The major metal surface species are likely to be ≡ POPb⁺. The sorption isotherm results indicated that Pb²⁺ sorption onto the Langmuir and Freundlich constant q _max and K _F is 9.52 and 8.18 mg g^?1, respectively. Sorption kinetics results indicated that Pb²⁺ sorption onto WCBP was pseudo-second-order rate constants K ₂ was 1.12 g mg^?1 h^?1. The main mechanism is adsorption or surface complexation (≡POPb⁺: 61.6%), co-precipitation or ion exchange [Ca_3.93 Pb_1.07 (PO₄)₃ (OH): 21.4%] and other precipitation [Pb 50 mg L^?1 and natural pH: 17%). Sorption isotherms showed that WCBP has a much higher Pb²⁺ removal rate in an aqueous solution; the greater capability of WCBP to remove aqueous Pb²⁺ indicates its potential as another promising way to remediate Pb²⁺-contaminated media.     

Crop demand of manganese

The objectives of this study were to evaluate some of the popular rotation crops grown in Hungary for tolerance to low external Mn²⁺ levels and to determine the critical tissue concentration of Mn²⁺ deficiency during early stages of growth. The minimum Mn²⁺ concentration required in soil nutrient contents was 42.5 mg kg⁻¹ for sunflower, 24.3 mg kg⁻¹ for tobacco and 10.2 mg kg⁻¹ for triticale. Sunflower, tobacco and triticale achieved optimum growth at 48.0–65.0 mg Mn²⁺ kg⁻¹, 24.9–32.1 mg Mnⁿ⁺ kg⁻¹ and 28.7 to 29.6 mg Mn²⁺ kg⁻¹, respectively. Critical shoot Mn²⁺ concentration at early stages of growth was 53.6 mg kg⁻¹ in sunflower, 458.0 mg kg⁻¹ in tobacco and 193.8 mg kg⁻¹ in triticale. Our results demonstrate that the tolerance to low external Mn²⁺ (triticale: <30.2 mg kg⁻¹; sunflower: <56.2 mg kg⁻¹; tobacco: <69.3 mg kg⁻¹) and the critical tissue Mn²⁺ levels for deficiency varied significantly between crop species tested.

     

Comparison of different algicides on growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microcystis aeruginosa</Emphasis> and microcystin release,as well as its removal pathway in riverways

Eutrophication with a large number of Microcystis aeruginosa commonly occurs worldwide, thereby threatening the aquatic ecosystem and human health. In this study, four kinds of algicides were tested to explore their influence on cell density and chlorophyll-a of M. aeruginosa. Results showed that aluminum silicate agent, which inhibited more than 90% cell growth compared with the control group, demonstrated the strongest inhibition effect immediately on M. aeruginosa growth. Furthermore, the production and release of microcystin (MC)-LR were investigated. Aluminum silicate, CuSO₄, and Emma-11 were more effective than pyrogallic acid in disrupting the cells of M. aeruginosa, thereby increasing the extracellular MC-LR concentration. Aluminum silicate caused the highest extracellular MC-LR concentration of more than 45 mg·L^–1. Biotoxicity was also detected to evaluate the environmental risks of MC-LR release, which were related to the usages of different algicides. Extracellular MC-LR concentration mostly increased when the biotoxicity of algae solution increased. The experiments were also designed to reveal the effects of physical conditions in riverways, such as natural sunlight, aeration and benthal sludge, on MC-LR degradation. These findings indicated that UV rays in sunlight, which can achieve a MC-LR removal efficiency of more than 15%, played an important role in MC-LR degradation. Among all the physical pathways of MC-LR removal, benthal sludge adsorption presented the optimal efficiency at 20%.

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罗红霉素对不同生长期小麦土壤氮形态和脲酶活性的影响

抗生素类药物作为添加剂被用于养殖业中,大部分以原形或其代谢产物形式进入土壤环境,对土壤环境造成生态危害。通过盆栽实验,研究了不同浓度罗红霉素(ROX)对小麦各生长期根际土壤微生物生物量氮、脲酶和无机氮的影响。结果表明,添加ROX后土壤微生物生物量氮在小麦苗期、拔节期和抽穗期受到显著抑制,而在灌浆期和收获期,土壤微生物生物量氮却显著增长;与对照相比,低浓度(0.2和0.5 mg·kg~(-1))和中浓度(1.0和2.0 mg·kg~(-1))ROX胁迫显著抑制小麦生长苗期、灌浆期和收获期的根际土壤脲酶活性,而在拔节期和抽穗期,却显著诱导脲酶活性;但高浓度(10.0 mg·kg~(-1))ROX胁迫却显著抑制小麦生长期内脲酶活性。低、中浓度ROX胁迫显著诱导小麦生长期中根际土壤中铵态氮浓度增长,而高浓度组ROX胁迫显著抑制土壤中铵态氮浓度。ROX胁迫抑制硝态氮,显示出ROX会影响土壤氮循环。     

Elemental composition of Malawian rice

Widespread potential dietary deficiencies of calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), iodine (I), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) have been identified in Malawi. Several deficiencies are likely to be compounded by high phytic acid (PA) consumption. Rice (Oryza sativa) is commonly consumed in some Malawian populations, and its mineral micronutrient content is important for food security. The considerable irrigation requirements and flooded conditions of paddy soils can also introduce or mobilise potentially toxic elements including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). The aim of this study was to determine the mineral composition of rice sampled from farmers’ fields and markets in Malawi. Rice was sampled from 18 extension planning areas across Malawi with 21 white (i.e. polished) and 33 brown samples collected. Elemental composition was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Arsenic speciation was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-ICP-MS. Concentration of PA was determined using a PA-total phosphorus assay. Median total concentrations (mg kg^?1, dry weight) of elements important for human nutrition in brown and white rice, respectively, were: Ca = 66.5 and 37.8; Cu = 3.65 and 2.49; Fe = 22.1 and 7.2; I = 0.006 and <0.005; Mg = 1130 and 265; Mn = 18.2 and 9.6; Se = 0.025 and 0.028; and Zn = 17.0 and 14.4. In brown and white rice samples, respectively, median PA concentrations were 5438 and 1906 mg kg^?1, and median PA:Zn molar ratios were 29 and 13. Concentrations of potentially toxic elements (mg kg^?1, dry weight) in brown and white rice samples, respectively, were: As = 0.030 and 0.006; Cd  ≤ 0.002 and 0.006; Pb = 0.008 and 0.008. Approximately 95 % of As was found to be inorganic As, where this could be quantified. Malawian rice, like the more widely consumed staple grain maize, contains inadequate Ca, I, Se or Zn to meet dietary requirements. Biofortification strategies could significantly increase Se and Zn concentrations and require further investigation. Concentrations of Fe in rice grain varied greatly, and this was likely due to contamination of rice samples with soil. Risk of As, Cd or Pb toxicity due to rice consumption in Malawi appears to be minimal.