Zinc accumulation potential and toxicity threshold determined for a metal-accumulating Populus canescens clone in a dose–response study

The effect of increasing soil Zn concentrations on growth and Zn tissue concentrations of a metal-accumulating aspen clone was examined in a dose–response study. Plants were grown in a soil with a low native Zn content which was spiked with Zn salt solutions and subsequently aged. Plant growth was not affected by NH₄NO₃-extractable soil Zn concentrations up to 60 μg Zn g^?1 soil, but it was completely inhibited at extractable concentrations above 90 μg Zn g^?1 soil. From these data an effective concentration of 68.5 μg extractable Zn g^?1 soil was calculated at which plant growth was reduced by 50%. The obtained information on toxicity threshold concentrations, and the relation between plant Zn accumulation and extractable soil Zn concentrations may be used to assess the suitability of the investigated Populus canescens clone for various phytoremediation strategies. The potential risk of metal transfer into food webs associated with P. canescens stands on Zn-polluted sites may also be estimated.     

Effect of excess fluoride ingestion on human thyroid function in Gaya region,Bihar, India

Fluoride (F) is mainly ingested through drinking water and food. In addition to producing dental and skeletal fluorosis, excess fluoride may affect the functioning of many organs including the thyroid gland. The present study investigated the thyroid function of subjects with dental fluorosis from F-endemic areas of Gaya region, Bihar, India and compared it with control individuals from Bodh Gaya. The mean F concentration in groundwater of F-endemic area was 2.82 ± 0.18 mg/L (range 0.62–7.2 mg/L), while that of control area was 0.49 ± 0.04 mg/L (range 0.21–0.76 mg/L). Abnormal levels of T3, T4, and TSH were found in the study subjects from both control and F-endemic areas.     

Multimodal signaling in the Small Torrent Frog (Micrixalus saxicola) in a complex acoustic environment

Many animals use multimodal (both visual and acoustic) components in courtship signals. The acoustic communication of anuran amphibians can be masked by the presence of environmental background noise, and multimodal displays may enhance receiver detection in complex acoustic environments. In the present study, we measured sound pressure levels of concurrently calling males of the Small Torrent Frog (Micrixalus saxicola) and used acoustic playbacks and an inflatable balloon mimicking a vocal sac to investigate male responses to controlled unimodal (acoustic) and multimodal (acoustic and visual) dynamic stimuli in the frogs’ natural habitat. Our results suggest that abiotic noise of the stream does not constrain signal detection, but males are faced with acoustic interference and masking from conspecific chorus noise. Multimodal stimuli elicited greater response from males and triggered significantly more visual signal responses than unimodal stimuli. We suggest that the vocal sac acts as a visual cue and improves detection and discrimination of acoustic signals by making them more salient to receivers amidst complex biotic background noise.     

Cell turnover in tissues of the long-lived ocean quahog Arctica islandica and the short-lived scallop Aequipecten opercularis

Cell proliferation and apoptosis were investigated in tissues of two bivalve species, Arctica islandica from the German Bight (age of bivalves: 33–98 years) and Iceland (7–148 years) and Aequipecten opercularis from the English Channel (2–4 years). High proliferation rates (10% nuclei dividing) and apoptosis in tissues of A. opercularis were in line with high-energy throughput and reduced investment into antioxidant defence mechanisms in the scallop. In contrast, cell turnover was slow (<1% nuclei dividing) in A. islandica and similar in mantle, gill and adductor muscle between young and old individuals. In the heart, cell turnover rates decreased with age, which indicates less-efficient removal of damaged cells in ageing A. islandica. Cell turnover rates, mass specific respiration and antioxidant enzyme activities were similar in German Bight and Iceland ocean quahog. Variable maximum life expectancies in geographically separated A. islandica populations are determined by extrinsic factors rather than by fundamental physiological differences.     

Formation of chlorinated and brominated dioxins and other organohalogen compounds at the pilot incineration plant VERONA

Experiments were conducted at the VERONA pilot plant, an incineration plant with stationary grate and separate post-combustion chamber, using wood and propane as basic combustible materials and with controlled dosage of various bromine-, chlorine- and copper-containing compounds. The behaviour of the following compounds was studied in the combustion chamber, after the post-combustion chamber and after the heat exchanger: polychlorinated phenols (PCPh), polybrominated phenols (PBrPh), polychlorinated benzenes (PCBz), polybrominated benzenes (PBrBz), polychlorinated dioxins and furans (PCDD/F) and polybrominated dioxins and furans (PBDD/F). The bromine co-incineration leaded to very high bromophenol concentrations after the post-combustion chamber. The formation of brominated and mixed-halogenated phenols and the further reaction to halogenated dioxins is apparently a relevant reaction mechanism for dioxin formation in processes involving bromine. This assumption is supported by the high formation rates of PBDD/F found in the heat exchanger, which were 4-20 times higher than those of PCDD/F. Moreover, the strong correlations found between the formation rates of PCPh, PCBz and PCDD/F in the heat exchanger indicate that in addition considerable new formation of dioxins takes place through de novo synthesis. Experiments involving the variation of primary operational parameters and fuel properties have shown that the quality of post-combustion plays a much greater role than the other parameters. Furthermore, it became apparent that the congeners of the chlorophenols and of the chlorobenzenes, measured in various incineration stages, do not correlate closely with the dioxin concentrations after the heat exchanger.     

Ozonation of an azo dye C.I. Remazol Black 5 and toxicological assessment of its oxidation products

The effect of ozonation (20.5 mgl(-1)) on the degradation processes of an azo dye, Remazol Black 5 (RB5; CI) was studied. Conventional parameters such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC), pH, conductivity, colour removal, biodegradability (BOD(5/28)), and toxic potential of the dye and its degradation products were monitored during the process. The results obtained indicated that ozonation is a highly effective way to remove the colour of a corresponding dye solution. However, a considerable organic load still remained as indicated by high COD and TOC residues. The COD, TOC reductions were about 40% and 25% for 6 h ozonation of 2 gl(-1) RB5 aqueous solution. During the ozonation process the rapid decrease of pH and the sharp increase of conductivity indicated the formation of acidic by-products and small fragments and ions which were identified by high performance ion chromatography. The BOD28 data revealed that first by-products after partial ozonation (10-150 min) of RB5 were more biodegradable than the parent compound and ozonation can enhance the biodegradability of azo dyes. During the first 150 min of total 360 min of oxidation, the formation of first by-products with high toxic potential took place as it could be confirmed by two acute toxicity-screening tests, the bioluminescence test (Vibrio fischerii) and the neutral red cytotoxicity assay (rat hepatoma cells). The significant enhancement of microbial biodegradability after long-term ozonation could also be seen as a decrease of toxic intermediates in correlation with the ozonation time as indicated in BOD28 biological degradation test results.     

Particulate matter emissions during autopsies: a method to reduce exposure

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Particulate matter emitted during autopsies can serve as a vector for numerous viruses or bacteria and can lead to infections. Reducing the exposure...