2,3,7,8-Substituted PCDDs and PCDFs in sea lion (Otaria flavescens) skin biopsies from two South-western Atlantic populations

Congener specific 2,3,7,8-chlorinated PCDDs and PCDFs were determined in skin biopsies taken from sea lions (Otaria flavescens) living in two areas of the South-western Atlantic on the coast of Argentina (Mar del Plata and Punta Bermeja). This is the first report on PCDDs and PCDFs in sea lion skin biopsies from the southern hemisphere. Differences were found in the congener pattern according to the sampling area. Animals living in the polluted area (Mar del Plata harbour) had detectable levels of all seventeen 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners. Sea lions living in a control environment (Punta Bermeja, Patagonia) only exhibited 5 detectable congeners out of all seventeen 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners. However, total levels were low in both colonies studied. These data are consistent with previous work which has indicated that dioxins occur at relatively low levels in marine mammals, possibly due to rapid catabolism or elimination.     

Determining sediment quality for regulatory proposes using fish chronic bioassays

Sediment quality assessments for regulatory purposes (i.e. dredged material disposal) are characterized by linking chemical and acute ecotoxicological data. The design of chronic bioassays that incorporate more sensible endpoints than acute tests is discussed to address sediment quality for environmental quality assessment and regulatory proposes. The chronic tests use juveniles of commercial species of fish Sparus aurata and Solea senegalensis, to assess sediment toxicity in samples collected along different littoral areas in the North and the South of Spain. The organisms were exposed during 60 days and sublethal endpoints were selected including biomarkers of exposure to metals (metallothioneins - MTs) and to organic contaminants (ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity - EROD activity) and biomarkers of effect (histopathology in different tissues, gill and liver). A Multivariate Analysis Approach was conducted in order to associate these biological responses with sediment metal concentration from the ports and with chemical residues in biological tissues exposed to sediments under laboratory conditions.     

Modeling and forecasting daily maximum hourly ozone concentrations using the RegAR model with skewed and heavy-tailed innovations

This paper considers the modeling and forecasting of daily maximum hourly ozone concentrations in Laranjeiras, Serra, Brazil, through dynamic regression models. In order to take into account the natural skewness and heavy-tailness of the data, a linear regression model with autoregressive errors and innovations following a member of the family of scale mixture of skew-normal distributions was considered. Pollutants and meteorological variables were considered as predictors, along with some deterministic factors, namely week-days and seasons. The Oceanic Niño Index was also considered as a predictor. The estimated model was able to explain satisfactorily well the correlation structure of the ozone time series. An out-of-sample forecast study was also performed. The skew-normal and skew-t models displayed quite competitive point forecasts compared to the similar model with gaussian innovations. On the other hand, in terms of forecast intervals, the skewed models presented much better performance with more accurate prediction intervals. These findings were empirically corroborated by a forecast Monte Carlo experiment.     

Soil Characteristics and Management in an Urban Park in Hong Kong

3   threshold. With diminished porosity, transmission of air and water, storage of plant-available moisture, and root growth suffer. Chemically, the samples have an unnatural alkaline pH; inadequate organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, exchangeable cations; and limited cation exchange capacity. The results can help park-soil management, including the need to evaluate soil in planned park sites, salvage high-grade soil parcels, prevent construction damage, ameliorate structure by mechanical operations and suitable amendments, and replace site soil of very poor quality. Edaphic problems can be forestalled or solved by treating soil as an integral component of park planning and management based on scientific principles and methods.     

Manatee Mortality in Puerto Rico

Trichechus manatus ) in Puerto Rico is mortality due to human activities. We assessed 90 cases of manatee strandings in Puerto Rico based on historical data and a coordinated carcass salvage effort from 1990 through 1995. We determined patterns of mortality, including type of event, condition of carcasses, spatial and temporal distribution, gender, size/age class, and the cause of death. The spatial distribution of stranding events was not uniform, with the north, northeast, and south coasts having the highest numbers. Six clusters representing the highest incidence included the areas of Fajardo and Ceiba, Bahía de Jobos, Toa Baja, Guayanilla, Cabo Rojo, and Rio Grande to Luquillo. The number of reported cases has increased at an average rate of 9.6%/yr since 1990. The seasonality of stranding events showed a bimodal pattern, from February through April and in August and September. Most identified causes of death were due to human interaction, especially captures and watercraft collisions. Natural causes usually involved dependent calves. From 1990 through 1995, most deaths were attributed to watercraft collisions. A reduction in anthropogenic mortality of this endangered species can be accomplished only through education and a proactive management and conservation plan that includes law enforcement, mortality assessment, scientific research, rescue and rehabilitation, and inter- and intraagency cooperation.     

用尿中1-羟基芘评价人体暴露PAHs的肺癌风险

 采集并分析了100名不吸烟成人24h呼吸的空气样品和尿液样品,建立了人尿中1-羟基芘(1-OH-Py)浓度与苯并(a)芘(BaP)、芘(Py)等14种多环芳烃(PAHs)呼吸暴露浓度的定量关系.参考现有关于BaP空气污染浓度与肺癌死亡率的剂量-反应关系模型,推导出用尿中1-OH-Py预测人体呼吸暴露PAHs的肺癌风险模型.用建立的模型对100名受试者进行了肺癌风险评价,结果表明,一般人群BaP暴露的肺癌风险约为11/10万,焦炉工人约为160/10万;若同时考虑14种PAHs的BaP当量毒性,则其相应肺癌风险要高出约0.5倍.一般人群的尿中1-OH-Py的生物暴露限值为0.11μmol/mol肌酐,焦炉工人为1.90μmol/mol肌酐.     

Organochlorine and heavy metal residues in the water/sediment system of the Southeast Regional Park in Madrid, Spain

A study into levels of contamination by organochlorine compounds (insecticides and PCBs) and heavy metals (Cd and Pb) in the water/sediment system of the Southeast Regional Park (SERP) in Madrid, Spain, has been carried out. Residue levels of xenobiotics were determined in surface and underground waters and sediments from selected sites throughout the protected area. The results showed these contaminants to be widespread throughout the studied area. p,p'-DDT concentration levels were consistently higher than its metabolite p,p'-DDE, indicating a recent use of this organochlorine insecticide in the area. PCB levels exceeded, in the majority of the cases, the levels taken as the maximum (100 ng/microl) for highly polluted waters. Cd and Pb levels found in water samples were under the detection limits of the methodology used. Pb levels found in sediment samples were higher than Cd.     

尿液中多环芳烃羟基代谢产物分析方法研究

通过实验建立了"酶水解-固相萃取-HPLC 荧光检测"尿液中多环芳烃羟基代谢产物1-羟基芘,9-羟基苯并[a]芘和3-羟基苯并[a]芘的分析方法,研究了3种代谢产物在不同保存温度下的稳定性,并通过对200个实际尿液的测定初步验证了该方法的可行性。该方法回收率为70%～85%,最低检出限为0 02～0 05μg L。-20℃保存的尿液样品及尿液提取液中3种化合物在1个月内降解了10%～36%,提取液比尿液的稳定性稍好,保存温度越高稳定性越差。      

In-situ application of colloidal activated carbon for PFAS-contaminated soil and groundwater: A Swedish case study

Soil and groundwater contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been a significant concern to human health and environmental quality. Remediation of contaminated sites is crucial to prevent plume expansion but can prove challenging due to the persistent nature of PFAS combined with their high aqueous mobility. In this case study, we investigated the potential of colloidal activated carbon (CAC) for soil stabilization at the pilot scale, aiming to entrap PFAS and prevent their leaching from soil into groundwater. Monitoring of the site revealed the presence of two potential sources of PFAS contamination at concentrations up to 23 μg L⁻¹ for ∑₁₁PFAS in groundwater. After CAC application, initial results indicated a 76% reduction of ∑₁₁PFAS and high removal rates for long-chain PFAS, such as perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid. A spike in concentrations was noticed 6 months after injection of CAC, showing a rebound of the plume and a reduction of treatment effectiveness. Based on long-term monitoring data, the treatment effectiveness for ∑₁₁PFAS dropped to 52%. The rebound of concentrations was attributed to the plume bypass of the barrier due to the presence of high conductivity zones, which likely occurred because of seasonal changes in groundwater flow directions or the CAC application at the site. This demonstrates the need for a detailed and accurate hydrogeological understanding of contaminated sites before designing and applying stabilization techniques, especially at sites with high geologic and hydrologic complexity. The results herein can serve as a guideline for treating similar sites and help avoid potential pitfalls of remedial efforts.