Experimental evaluation of emission factors of cement kilns burning hazardous wastes

Cement industry is an interesting way to eliminate combustible wastes. Thermal valorization is maximal, conditions of combustion are especially favorable to the destruction and the trapping of pollutants, and there are neither ultimate residues (slag) nor aqueous rejects. Moreover the properties of the cement are not modified. Nevertheless the increased use of substitution fuel may lead to deal with unusual amounts of heavy metals. Tests were realized on several rotary cement kilns with varying substitution ratios of fossil fuels by wastes. Mass balances were fitted over the whole plant, and emission factors were explained.     

Speciation analysis of butyltin compounds in sediments of the Theoule harbour (France) by GC/AES

Over the last years, great progress in the research on speciation of butyltins has been made. Many coupling techniques have been successfully developed, with better applications to sediments samples in the environment. Sediments were collected from 1999 to 2000 to elucidate butyltin pollution in Theoule harbour. Most of the analysed samples showed evidence of butyltin compounds. The results show that the concentration of Tributyltin (TBT) was in the range 20–200?µg/kg in March 1999, 20–340?µg/kg in June 1999, 180–1280?µg/kg in July 2000, and 55–820?µg/kg in October 2000. A comparison of the MBT, DBT, and TBT results show that in 1999 the concentrations were in the order TBT?DBT?>?MBT, with some exceptions. The patterns observed in many sediment cores show a great disparity of organotin input concentration among the cores collected during one month and also during two different months, and from one season to the other. This paper provides information on the use of the acetic acid leaching system in the determination of butyltin. The method is applied to evaluate the occurrence of these species in sediments from the Theoule harbour, between 1999 and 2000. In this study, a GC/AES was applied, complemented with acetic acid leaching and monitored using two certified reference materials: PACS-2 reference sediment and BCR 462 (Report EUR 18406 EN, 1998).     

Determination of 4-nonylphenol in carp blood samples by solid phase extraction and chromatographic techniques

In this study, selective methods were developed for isolation, purification, separation and determination of 4-nonylphenol (4NP) in biological samples. Several methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence and diode array detection and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectromotry (GC-MS) are described for the simultaneous determination of 4NP. The nonylphenols in the plasma of fish were extracted through solid phase process by using octadecyl, polymeric and octadecyl endcapping sorbents. The average recoveries in plasma samples spiked with 4NP of levels 1?µg?mL^?1 were between 80–95% using added surrogate standards. The aim of this study was to determine whether trace amounts of 4NP in fish plasma samples could be detected by solid phase extraction and chromatographic methods (HPLC, GC-MS). This technique of monitoring the levels of endocrine-disruptors in plasma samples is consistent, reliable as well as inexpensive.     

Photosynthetic sulfur bacteria from Zimapan Reservoir (Mexico): Seasonal variations and toxic effects of zinc in a microcosm system

Photosynthetic sulfur bacteria oxidize the sulfide produced by dissimilatory sulfate-reducing bacteria, thus preventing the occurrence of pollution by these compounds in the oxygenic zone of aquatic systems. Zinc is one of the most abundant heavy metals. Its toxic effects have been documented in various organisms that can photosynthesize, but a lack of information prevails in this respect, about photosynthetic sulfur bacteria. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the toxic effects of zinc on green sulfur bacteria (Chlorobiaceae) and purple sulfur bacteria (Chromatiaceae) in a microcosm as well to explore the possible relationships between the bacterial population growths with the physicochemical properties of the metalimnion of Zimapan Reservoir (Mexico) during a 1-year period. Hydrosoluble organic carbon (HOC) and light availability in the metalimnion were the limiting factors for growth in these bacteria. Higher HOC levels occurred in Spring, at the end of the wet season and in Winter. Current zinc levels in the reservoir seem to elicit toxic effects. At lethal zinc concentrations, the best concentration-response relationship was shown. The biomarker for purple sulfur bacteria was the bacteriochlorophyll content, while total reducing sugar was the best biomarker for green sulfur bacteria. At sublethal concentrations, zinc alters adenosine triphosphate levels, total reducing sugar, total protein content, and bacteriochlorophyll content. The observed responses indicate that green sulfur bacteria are more sensitive than purple sulfur bacteria and are suitable target organisms for use in establishing the accepted threshold concentration of zinc (NOEC 0.056–0.097 mg L^?1 of Zn) in anoxic deep water.     

Biodegradation of paclobutrazol by a microbial consortium isolated from industrially contaminated sediment

Biodegradability of the plant growth retardant paclobutrazol by a microbial consortium in which Pseudomonas was the predominant strain was investigated in batch culture. The consortium which had been isolated from an industrially contaminated sediment was proven to be useful for the treatment of effluents containing paclobutrazol. Paclobutrazol was degraded by the pure isolated strain of Pseudomonas sp. as well as the microbial consortium. Paclobutrazol was utilized as the sole source of carbon and energy. Sixty percent of the paclobutrazol was degraded by the microbial consortium from an initial concentration of 54 mg L^?1 within 48 h and more than 98% of an initial concentration of 3.4 mg L^?1 was degraded within 36 h. The optimum temperature and pH were determined to be 30°C and 7.0, respectively. A pure strain of a bacterium, isolated from the enrichment culture was identified as Pseudomonas sp. The microbial consortium was tolerant of high pH and could degrade paclobutrazol faster than the pure strain. The degradation rate of this plant growth regulator in an aerobic environment was greater than that under anaerobic conditions.     

Early murine immune responses from endotracheal exposures to biotechnology-related Bacillus strains

An immunology-based in vivo screening regime was used to assess the potential pathogenicity of biotechnology-related microbes. Strains of Bacillus cereus (Bc), Bacillus subtilis (Bs), Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), and Bt commercial products (CPs) were tested. Balb/c mice were endotracheally instilled with purified spores, diluted CP, or vegetative cells (VC) (live or dead). Exposed mice were evaluated for changes in behavioral and physical symptoms, bacterial clearance, pulmonary granulocytes, and pulmonary and circulatory pyrogenic cytokines (interleukins (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α), as well as acute phase biomarkers (fibrinogen and serum amyloid A). Except for some differences in clearance rates, no marked effects were observed in mice exposed to any spore at 10⁶ or 10⁷ colony forming units (cfu). In contrast, live Bc or Bt VCs (10⁵ or 10⁶?cfu) produced shock-like symptoms (lethargy, hunched appearance, ruffled fur, and respiratory distress), and 11–200-fold elevations in pyrogenic cytokines at 2-h post-exposure. In the study, 4-h effects included increased lethargy, ocular discharge, and 1.5–4-fold rise in circulatory acute phase markers, but no indications of recovery. Bs VC did not produce any changes in symptoms or biomarkers. After 2 or 4?h of exposure to dead VC, increases of only plasma IL-1β and TNF-α (4.6- and 12.4-fold, respectively) were observed. These findings demonstrate that purified spores produced no marked effects in mice compared to that of metabolically active bacteria. This early screening regime was successful in distinguishing the pathogenicity of the different Bacillus species, and might be useful for assessing the relative hazard potential of other biotechnology-related candidate strains.     

Mercury exposure through diet in pregnant women and women of childbearing age

The study examined the stage of clean-up of the Port Lavaca bay sites in Texas, which were polluted during the early 1990's by effluent containing mercury (Hg) from a chloralkali plant. In addition to Hg intoxication through environmental contaminations, human exposure through dietary fish and other seafoods occurred. Bacteria converts inorganic Hg to alkyl organic compounds and subsequently the metal crosses the blood brain barrier thus exerting adverse effects on the fetal developing nervous system. In order to conduct a survey of dietary Hg exposure, blood was collected from pregnant women and those of childbearing age at routine clinic visits at each of three centers in South Texas cities (Galveston, Texas City, Port Lavaca/Victoria, TX). A questionnaire sought dietary and lifestyle information including consumption, sources of fish and other seafoods. A significant number of subjects (119 out of 175, 68%) ate fish caught locally. The blood Hg concentrations (µg?L^?1) range varied with the location of the study centers: City of Galveston 2.6–62; Texas City 2.8–111.8; and the Port Lavaca areas 3.02–126.7. The concentrations of blood Hg was directly proportional to the number of fish meals consumed for each species considered. Mean blood Hg concentrations for no fish meals per week were: Port Lavaca 4.5 (N?=?3), Galveston 4.3 (N?=?3), Texas City 3.5 (N?=?10). For >3 fish meals per week, the mean blood Hg concentrations were: Port Lavaca, 48.0 (N?=?53), Galveston 29.1 (N?=?35), Texas City, 36.1 (N?=?31). Data show that residues of Hg were still present in 1994 despite the clean-up efforts.     

Detection and quantitation of trace levels of low molecular weight halocarbons (LMHs) associated with commercial sodium humate

Examination of vapor above commercial sodium humate and above 10wt% aqueous humate solution by gas chromatography (GC) revealed the presence of chloroform and trichloroethylene. Further examination of the aqueous humate by the purge and trap procedure confirmed the association of chloroform and trichloroethylene with the humate. GC/mass spectrometry analyses of methylene chloride extract of the humate established the association of LMHs with the humate. Improved headspace capillary GC technique showed that the humate contained not only chloroform, trichloroethylene but several other LMHs in the range 190 to 4000ng·kg^‐1.     

Enhancement of UV and chromate mutagenesis by nickel ions in the Chinese hamster HGPRT Assay †

1. The HGPRT (Hypoxanthine‐Guanine‐Phospho‐Ribosyl‐Transferase) assay with Chinese Hamster V79 cells was used to measure the mutagenic effects of UV irradiation, potassium dichromate and nickel chloride. The agents were tested separately and in the combinations of UV plus nickel and dichromate plus nickel.

2. UV, Cr(VI) and Ni(II) were confirmed to be mutagenic in the V79 cell assay. The combination of UV(5J/m²) and Ni(II) (0.5 mM) caused a mutation rate 11.2 times above that corresponding to the sum of the individual mutation rates of these agents. The combined action of Cr(VI) (0.1 mM) and Ni(II) (0.5 mM) produced a mutation rate 2.8 fold above that corresponding to the sum of the individual rates of the separate agents.

3. The enhancing effect of nickel chloride on the mutagenicity of UV or Cr(VI) is interpreted by an interference of Ni(II) with the repair of DNA lesions.