Occurrence of antibiotic resistance and characterization of resistance genes and integrons in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from integrated fish farms in South China

Antibiotics are still widely applied in animal husbandry to prevent diseases and used as feed additives to promote animal growth. This could result in antibiotic resistance to bacteria and antibiotic residues in animals. In this paper, Enterobacteriaceae isolated from four integrated fish farms in Zhongshan, South China were tested for antibiotic resistance, tetracycline resistance genes, sulfonamide resistance genes, and class 1 integrons. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were carried out to test antibiotic susceptibility and resistance genes, respectively. Relatively high antibiotic resistance frequencies were found, especially for ampicillin (80%), tetracycline (52%), and trimethoprim (50%). Out of 203 Enterobacteriaceae isolates, 98.5% were resistant to one or more antibiotics tested. Multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) was found highest in animal manures with a MAR index of 0.56. Tetracycline resistance genes (tet(A), tet(C)) and sulfonamide resistance genes (sul2) were detected in more than 50% of the isolates. The intI1 gene was found in 170 isolates (83.7%). Both classic and non-classic class 1 integrons were found. Four genes, aadA5, aadA22, dfr2, and dfrA17, were detected. To our knowledge, this is the first report for molecular characterization of antibiotic resistance genes in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from integrated fish farms in China and the first time that gene cassette array dfrA17-aadA5 has been detected in such fish farms. Results of this study indicated that fish farms may be a reservoir of highly diverse and abundant antibiotic resistant genes and gene cassettes. Integrons may play a key role in multiple antibiotic resistances posing potential health risks to the general public and aquaculture.     

渤海湾浮游植物与环境因子关系的多元分析

2007年春季和夏季对渤海湾的浮游植物和环境因子进行调查,运用多元分析技术分析浮游植物在渤海湾的分布特征及其与环境因子之间的关系.调查期间共发现浮游植物26种,其中春季17种,夏季23种.春季浮游植物平均数量为115×104cells.m-3,显著高于夏季(3.1×104cells.m-3).应用主成分分析(PCA)浮游植物分布特征,结果表明,春季浮游植物主要分布于渤海的中北部,是硝酸盐含量较高的水域;夏季浮游植物分布于各个水域,但优势种主要分布于河口附近.运用冗余分析(RDA)探讨浮游植物分布与环境因子之间的关系,结果表明,影响渤海湾浮游植物分布的关键环境因子,春季是硝酸盐、亚硝酸盐和溶解性活性磷酸盐,夏季是氨氮和水温.     

Heavy metal contamination in surface sediments from lakes and their surrounding topsoils of China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Due to rapid urbanization, industrialization, agricultural development, and mining activities, soil heavy metal pollution has become a severe issue in...     

The relationship between maternal perfluoroalkylated substances exposure and low birth weight of offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Some studies have shown that maternal perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) exposure may be associated with low birth weight (LBW) of offspring. We...     

Estimating the public preferences for solid waste management programmes using choice experiments in Macao.

This paper reports on the potential to apply the choice experiment method to understand the public's preferences for solid waste management programmes in Macao. A random sample survey of 260 respondents in Macao was conducted during the summer in 2004. The survey data was analysed using conditional multinomial logit models. The study results indicate that Macao residents prefer: (1) waste segregation and recycling at source; (2) noise reduction during waste collection and transportation and (3) lower garbage fees. The study concludes that choice experiment is a reliable tool in the analysis of respondents' preferences for developing a suitable solid waste management programme in Macao.     

Impacts of climate change on water resources in the Yellow River basin and identification of global adaptation strategies

Climate change is a global environmental issue, which is challenging water resources management and practices. This study investigates the impact of climate change on water resources of the Yellow River basin, a major grain-producing area in China, and provides recommendations on strategies to increase adaptive capacity and resilience in the basin region. Results show that the recorded stream flows of the Yellow River declined from 1951 to 2010 and have decreased significantly in the middle and lower reaches. The variable infiltration capacity (VIC) model performs well as a tool to simulate monthly discharge of both the tributary catchments and the whole Yellow River basin. Temperature across the Yellow River basin over 2021–2050 is expected to continue to rise with an average rates of approximately 0.039–0.056 °C/annum. The average annual precipitation in the basin is projected to increase by 1.28–3.29 % compared with the 1991–2010 baseline. Runoff during 2021–2050 is projected to decrease by 0.53–9.67 % relative to 1991–2010 with high decadal and spatial variability. This is likely due to the model’s projections of a significant rise in temperature and changes in precipitation patterns. Climate change will likely aggravate the severity and frequency of both water shortages and flooding in the basin region. It is therefore essential to devote sufficient attention on structural and non-structural measures for the Yellow River basin to cope with climate change. At the global level, strategies to increase adaptive capacity and build resilience to climate change focus on public education to improve awareness of climate risks, implementing the integrated water resources management and planning based on impact assessments.     

Towards a cleaner production in developing countries: a case study in a Chilean tannery.

A Chilean leather tanning industry (tannery) was studied in terms of input/output (I/O) analysis of beamhouse, tanyard and retanning processes. The physical-chemical characterization of 19 streams were investigated. Streams from the beamhouse process and some streams from the retanning process were found to have high organic contents ranging from 2.5 to 18.1 g COD L(-1). The pH ranged between 3.45 and 12.28. Sulphur was found in most of the streams whereas chromium was detected in two wastewaters from the tanyard and in seven streams from the retanning process. Pollution prevention opportunities were evaluated and an appropriate treatment strategy was proposed. The main emphasis was on determining waste reduction measures that can be easily implemented and are not particularly expensive. Measures for reduction at source were proposed to reduce water and chemicals consumption and wastewater pollution. A so-called S(index) strategy was used to evaluate proposals on segregation and specific treatment of the main chromium- and sulphur-containing wastewaters. It was suggested that some streams may be re-used, but it is necessary to apply anaerobic or aerobic treatment first, depending on their organic load. Solid wastes were also evaluated and a proposal for their reduction and disposal was made.     

长江经济带矿山土壤重金属污染及健康风险评价

研究长江经济带矿山土壤重金属污染状况,是推动长江经济带矿山生态修复和绿色矿山建设的重要前提.通过搜集2006～2020年间长江经济带矿山土壤重金属污染相关研究,并对搜集文献采样数据运用地累积指数法、克里金插值法和健康风险评价法对重金属的污染状况、分布规律和健康风险进行研究.结果表明,长江经济带矿山土壤中Pb、 Cd、 Cr、 Hg、 As、 Zn、 Ni和Cu含量平均值超我国长江经济带土壤背景值,Cd和Hg累积程度显著;污染评价结果显示8种重金属污染程度大小为：Cd>Hg>Pb>Zn>Cu>As>Ni>Cr, Cd和Hg污染程度最高,存在超60%的样本点处于中污染以上;污染评价显示锡矿和铅锌矿土壤污染较其他矿种明显突出;健康风险评估显示经口摄入为非致癌和致癌风险的主要摄入途径,总非致癌和致癌风险指数均处于不可接受范围内,且长江经济带中上游各省市矿山土壤的非致癌和致癌风险明显高于下游.     

受限空间烟气运动的盐水模拟实验初探

考虑到盐水在清水中扩散过程与烟气在受限空间内运动的相似性，本文用实验的方法，初步探讨了用盐水的扩散来模拟烟气在建筑物（单室）内运动的可行性。并对烟羽流主轴线速度和顶篷水平分层烟气流厚度的生长规律进行了测量。本文所得结果基本合理，正确，对建筑火灾烟气控制和人员疏散有参考作用．