Effects of heavy metals on population growth and metallothionein gene expression in the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus, from Calcutta, India

Major water bodies in and around the city of Calcutta (India) receive heavy metal contaminated effluents from industries, households, and vehicular traffic through sewage or drainage. We quantified concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Cd from three water bodies at Kalighat, Tangra, and VIP Road, respectively. The concentrations of these heavy metals were significantly greater in the summer than in monsoon when heavy downpours resulted in reduced metal concentrations. Concentrations of metals in the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus also reflected such seasonal fluctuations. Hatchability and survivorship of C. quinquefasciatus significantly differed among the sites and were reduced significantly from the control. Exposure to heavy metals also induced MT-gene expression in C. quinquefasciatus, likely helping them to survive in the water bodies stressed with heavy metals. MT-gene activity demonstrated significant variation among sites and seasons with the highest activity in the summer in the VIP Road population. This study suggests that C. quinquefasciatus could be used as an ecological indicator of heavy metal pollution by monitoring its MT-gene expression.     

A comparison of the effects of organophosphate insecticide exposure and temperature stress on fluctuating asymmetry and life history traits in Culex quinquefasciatus.

Effects of exposure to a non-chemical (temperature) or chemical (organophosphate insecticide) stressor during larval development were compared in Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. Stress was measured in two ways: using conventional life history traits (survival, development time and a measure of body size) and by calculating the degree of developmental instability from the departure from bilateral symmetry of wing characters (fluctuating asymmetry). Increasing insecticide dose, but not temperature, was observed to elevate wing fluctuating asymmetry in male but not female mosquitoes. Insecticide treatment reduced survival and was associated with a significant reduction in wing trait sizes in both females and males but did not significantly affect development time. Temperature was associated with a significant reduction in all life history traits in both sexes. Therefore wing fluctuating asymmetry in C. quinquefasciatus cannot be used as a general biomonitor of all stress, although it may have potential as a more specific monitor of chemical stress. It needs to be complimented with other measures such as life history and biochemical methods. The significant differences in response between sexes may impact on results of short-term larval exposures to insecticides.     

Acute and chronic activity of perchlorate and hexavalent chromium contamination on the survival and development of Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae)

Effects of water contamination with perchlorate and hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] on the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus were assessed. The chronic (10-day) LC50s values for perchlorate and chromium were 74+/-8.0 mg/L and 0.41+/-0.15 mg/L, respectively. Relative Growth Index, a measure of growth and mortality rates in a population, was significantly reduced within 5 days for levels of perchlorate as low as 25 mg/L and for levels of chromium as low as 0.16 mg/L. Neither compound altered wing length of surviving adults. In combination, contaminants were synergistic, causing 14% more mortality than predicted. Acute (24-h) LC50 values for perchlorate and Cr (VI) were 17,000+/-3200 and 38+/-1.3 mg/L, respectively. Effects on mosquito larvae in contaminated environments are likely to be observed for Cr (VI) but not for perchlorate, which generally does not occur at levels as high as those shown here to affect larval mosquitoes.     

Isolation of limonoid compound (Hamisonine) from endophytic fungi Penicillium oxalicum LA-1 (KX622790) of Limonia acidissima L. for its larvicidal efficacy against LF vector,Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Upon screening for novel and potential biocompounds with larvicidal activities, we successfully isolated hamisonine (HMSN) a limonoid compound from...     

Insecticidal activity of different extracts from Scrophularia canina L. against Culex pipiens molestus Forskal (Diptera, Culicidae)

The insecticidal activity of different extracts (aqueous, methyl alcohol, hexane and petroleum ether) of the aerial part of Scrophularia canina against the second and fourth-instar larvae and adult females of Culex pipiens molestus was investigated. The larvicidal activity of all the extracts was tested in the dose range from 7.8 to 1000 ppm. The highest toxicity was exhibited by the petroleum ether extract against second-instar larvae (48 h LC?? = 23.5 ppm) and by the hexane extract against fourth-instar larvae (48 h LC?? = 23.6 ppm). Methyl alcohol and aqueous extracts did not show any larvicidal activity. Sub-lethal doses of petroleum ether and hexane extracts induced increasing mortalities during 13 days after treatment but did not affect the duration of larval and pupal stages. In persistence tests, the hexane extract retained a satisfactory larvicidal activity after a 10-day period of test solutions incubation. Topical treatment of adult females with doses from 0.25 to 8 μg per mg of female body weight of different extracts showed a similar toxicity for the hexane (24 h LD?? = 1.7 μg mg?1) and petroleum ether (24 h LD?? = 1.8 μg mg?1) extracts which were significantly more toxic than methyl alcohol extract (4.2 μg mg?1). Aqueous extract did not induce adult mortality. The marked mosquitocidal activity of petroleum ether and hexane extracts of the aerial part of S. canina against different life stages of C. pipiens molestus is promising to develop effective alternatives to synthetic insecticides.     

Tolerance of Mentha crispa L. (garden mint) cultivated in cadmium-contaminated oxisol

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The tolerance of Mentha crispa L. (garden mint) cultivated in cadmium-contaminated oxisol for 120 days was analyzed using plant growth variables such...     

水源水中摇蚊幼虫的孳生与生态控制

摇蚊幼虫（红虫）在城市供水系统中的出现，成为困扰水厂正常生产运行的又一水处理难题。首先对其生理特性与环境因子之间的关系进行了论述，然后从生态学角度出发，利用生态群落中的食物链关系，分析了富营养化水体中摇蚊幼虫大量孳生的原因。在此基础上提出了利用合理的生物操纵技术，通过鱼类与水生生物间的“下行效应”，以达到恢复生态平衡并控制摇蚊幼虫孳生为目的的生态治理方案。     

水体中摇蚊幼虫的孳生规律及其控制途径

摇蚊幼虫污染是给水处理中出现的新问题 ,本文对国内外现有的研究与控制方法进行了简要的综述。分析了摇蚊幼虫的污染现状、污染产生原因 ,并介绍了摇蚊的生活史以及空间和季节分布规律 ,在此基础上 ,阐述了摇蚊幼虫孳生的物理、化学和生物环境因素 ;指出了摇蚊的自身特性和现有的研究手段 ;目前对摇蚊幼虫污染进行综合防治所采用的方法有物理法、化学法和生物操纵法。提出了进一步研究此类问题的建议。     

水源水中摇蚊幼虫的孳生与生态控制

摇蚊幼虫(红虫)在城市供水系统中的出现,成为困扰水厂正常生产运行的又一水处理难题.首先对其生理特性与环境因子之间的关系进行了论述,然后从生态学角度出发,利用生态群落中的食物链关系,分析了富营养化水体中摇蚊幼虫大量孳生的原因.在此基础上提出了利用合理的生物操纵技术,通过鱼类与水生生物间的"下行效应",以达到恢复生态平衡并控制摇蚊幼虫孳生为目的的生态治理方案.     

水处理工艺中摇蚊幼虫污染防治技术的研究进展

介绍了摇蚊幼虫的生活习性及其在水处理工艺中的分布规律。对其生理特性与环境因子之间的关系进行了论述；并就近年来采用物理法、化学法和生物法防治水处理工艺中摇蚊幼虫污染的研究进展、现状和局限性进行了较为系统的分析，展望了摇蚊幼虫污染防治技术的研究前景，指出目前控制饮用水中摇蚊幼虫污染必须将水源水质控制、污染治理与净水工艺处理结合起来，优化水处理工艺和强化水源水体保护是根本保障。     

磺胺甲恶唑对斑马鱼胚胎/仔鱼的毒性效应

为研究磺胺甲恶唑对斑马鱼胚胎/仔鱼的早期发育及抗氧化系统的影响,将受精2h的斑马鱼胚胎暴露在不同浓度的磺胺甲恶唑水溶液中,观察斑马鱼胚胎死亡率、孵化率、仔鱼心包囊肿率、心跳数、体长以及仔鱼内抗氧化酶活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量的变化。结果表明,磺胺甲恶唑对斑马鱼胚胎/仔鱼120h的急性毒性半数致死质量浓度(LC50)为1 250.5mg/L;斑马鱼胚胎孵化率随着暴露浓度的增加呈现明显的下降趋势,96h胚胎孵化率抑制的半数有效质量浓度(EC50)为1 299.7mg/L;当暴露质量浓度≥1 500mg/L时,斑马鱼胚胎患心包囊肿率明显升高,呈现剂量—效应关系;经磺胺甲恶唑暴露96h的斑马鱼仔鱼30s心跳数及120h斑马鱼仔鱼体长总体降低;10~(-2)mg/L磺胺甲恶唑染毒96h后,即观察到斑马鱼仔鱼细胞出现明显的氧化损伤,过氧化氢酶的酶活性受到显著抑制,超氧化物歧化酶和谷胱甘肽S-转移酶被显著诱导,MDA含量显著增加。研究表明,磺胺甲恶唑暴露对斑马鱼胚胎细胞产生了明显的损伤,进而可能影响斑马鱼仔鱼的发育。     

Fluoride loading of a lepidopteran larva (Pieris brassicae) fed on treated diets

Experiments to assess the impact of dietary fluoride on larvae of Pieris brassicae were designed to substantiate field observations that at polluted sites little fluoride is absorbed by insect larvae and that most of the body load is caused by surface contamination. Treatment with fluoride as HF or AlF3 had no effect on pupal weight of Pieris and we conclude that fluoride, at concentrations likely to be found on vegetation at polluted sites, is unlikely to have a direct impact on the growth of chewing herbivores. Fluoride in the gut formed the biggest component of the total body load. A significant amount of fluoride was detected in exuviae, but resulted from surface contamination. When larvae from polluted food were transferred to untreated food it took several days for the fluoride content of the faeces to return to background levels.     

Correlation of Dust Scrubber Efficiency

The grid-type electrostatic precipitator¹ evolved from some basic research into the collection of airborne charged dust particles in the wake of a flat, metallic, perforated plate under the action of an externally applied electric field. In the earliest experiments in the laboratory² a flat grounded perforated plate (or grid) was placed at right angles to an air stream moving at 6 ft/sec and an electric field was created on its downstream side by the placement of a second grid, bearing high negative potential, just downstream of the first. Negatively charged dust particles, carried along by the air stream through the openings in the first of the two grids, collected on the downstream face of the upstream grid as a result of the electric force acting on them in the direction opposing the air flow. Measured values of dust collection efficiency could not be accounted for simply by resolving the directly opposing mainstream air flow and electrostatic forces. The concept of vortex-enhanced precipitation was therefore proposed in order to explain the experimental results.     

The Prediction of Overall Collection Efficiency of Air Pollution Control Devices from Fractional Efficiency Curves

The application of air pollution control devices requires the prediction of overall collection efficiency from the particle size distribution of the dust and the fractional efficiency of the air pollution control device. The cumulative particle size distribution of dust resulting from industrial processes can usually be represented by a straight line on logarithmic probability paper or a log normal function. The fractional efficiency curves of many air pollution control devices such as cyclones or wet scrubbers can also be adequately represented by a log normal function. Only two parameters are required to define a log normal function, a median diameter and a geometric standard deviation. Both of these can easily be obtained from a plot on logarithmic probability paper. The overall collection efficiency has been found to be Very simply related to the four parameters required to define the log normal functions representing the particle size distribution and the collector fractional efficiency. These four parameters are: the mass median diameter and the geometric standard deviation of the dust size distribution, the cut diameter (50% efficiency diameter), and geometric standard deviation of collector fractional efficiency curve. Using this relationship the prediction of overall collection efficiency is greatly simplified with no loss of accuracy.     

Effect of fluorescent silica nanoparticles in embryo and larva of Oryzias latipes: sonic effect in nanoparticle dispersion

We characterized fluorescent silica nanoparticles (FNPs), which had been applied in many biological systems, in fish embryo rearing media (ERM) solution and evaluated the potential toxicity to the early development of Oryzias latipes embryos. Distribution of FNPs in embryos and larvae of O. latipes was studied by fluorescent and confocal laser scanning microscopic studies. Embryos exposed to three different concentrations of FNPs in stirred or sonicated ERM solutions were observed up to 2 d after hatching. FNPs had a negligible effect on the hatchability of O. latipes embryos; however, compared to controls, more than 30% of eggs were abnormal in 10 and 50 mg FNP L⁻¹ solutions. We found that the toxic effect was increased in sonicated FNP solution, which seems to be related with the dissolution of FNPs in ERM solutions that could be accelerated by sonication. Further study found that the CaCl₂ included in ERM solution might enhance the dissolution of the FNPs and the silicate ion released from FNPs partially contributed to larval toxicity. This study showed that some nanoparticles may not be stable in biological fluids even if they are stable in water. Dissolution factors such as sonication and cellular components should be considered in biological application of nanoparticles.     

基于Monte-Carlo方法的静电除尘器除尘效率

针对经典除尘效率未考虑诸多随机因素影响的问题,提出了基于Monte-Carlo方法的效率分析模型,并通过实验数据验证其可靠性。通过该模型分析了粒径大小、电场气流速度、电晕电压、两极间距、粒子浓度等因素对收尘效率的影响规律,结果表明:基于Monte-Carlo方法的仿真结果精度更高,能有效预测静电除尘器的收尘效率,对于改进静电除尘器设计具有一定的理论意义和实用价值。     

Comparative Study of Spray Booth Filter System Efficiency

ABSTRACT

During recent years, greater emphasis has been placed on the control of particulate emissions from painting operations. This has gained more importance as more is learned about the potential release of toxic metals to the atmosphere from painting operations. This has led to queries about the efficiency of various painting arrestor systems to reduce particulate discharges to the atmosphere. Even more important is the capability of the arrestor systems to control PM₁₀ emissions.

In 1995, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initiated a study to evaluate various dry paint overspray arrestor systems. This study was designed to evaluate not only the total emissions control capability of the arrestor but also the PM₁₀ control capability of the various system designs. Paint overspray arrestor systems using five different filtration concepts or materials were selected. They include systems constructed of fiberglass, paper, Styrofoam, and cardboard materials. These systems used filtration techniques incorporating the following filtration phenomena and designs: cyclone, baffle, bag systems, and mesh systems.

The testing used an optical particle counting procedure to determine the concentration of particles of a given size fraction to penetrate a test arrestor system. The results of the testing indicated that there are significant differences in the efficiency of the tested system designs to capture and retain PM₁₀.

This paper summarizes the results of the research conducted to determine the capability of the arrestor systems to capture particulate of sizes down to approximately 1 μm in surface diameter.     

管式反应器处理生活污水的效能

研发了一种基于射流曝气的管式反应设备,考察了负荷和DO对反应器处理效能的影响。实验结果表明,在温度为15℃、DO 6.0 mg/L、有机负荷为1.0 kg COD/(m3.d)、氮负荷为0.30 kg TN/(m3.d)、HRT为8 h的条件下,管式反应器可使生活污水的COD、NH4+-N及TN分别从335 mg/L、105 mg/L及110 mg/L降至43 mg/L、14 mg/L及18 mg/L,去除率分别为87%、86%和83%。DO对反应器脱氮效能影响显著,DO为6 mg/L时,能构建出同步硝化反硝化系统,NH4+-N和TN的去除率分别为96.6%和86.7%。