Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in common buzzard (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Buteo buteo</Emphasis>) from Sicily (Italy)

In the present study, we investigated the concentrations and distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in intestine, liver, and muscle samples of 11 common buzzards (Buteo buteo) from Sicily used as bioindicator for monitoring pollution in environment. All samples of common buzzards were collected at the “Recovery Center of Wild Fauna” of Palermo, through the Zooprophilactic Institute. Quantitative determination of OCs and PCBs in the samples examined has been carried out using HRGC-ECD and GC-MS. The results obtained show the presence of concentrations of ∑DDT and ∑PCB in almost all samples. Regarding ∑DDT (4,4^′-DDE, 2,4^′-DDD, 4,4^′-DDD, 2,4^′-DDT, and 4,4^′-DDT), the highest concentrations were found in intestine (0.411 ± 0.050 μg/g) followed by muscle (0.130 ± 0.017 μg/g) and liver samples (0.109 ± 0.014 μg/g). As regards the ∑PCB congeners (PCB-28, PCB-52, PCB-95, PCB-99, PCB-101, PCB-110, PCB-138, PCB-146, PCB-149, PCB-151, PCB-153, PCB-170, PCB-177, PCB-180, PCB-183, and PCB-187), the highest concentrations were found in intestine (1.686 ± 0.144 μg/g) followed by liver (1.064 ± 0.162 μg/g) and muscle samples (0.797 ± 0.078 μg/g). Our data deserve particular attention not only for their significance but especially because they were recorded in Sicily, a region with a very low risk of environmental pollution due to the shortage of industries.     

Wells sanitary inspection and water quality monitoring in Ban Nam Khem (Thailand) 30 months after 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami

This paper reports the results of a study conducted in Ban Nam Khem village, the most hit in Thailand by 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, aimed to evaluate either the actual state and operation of numerous domestic wells present in the village or the quality of drawn groundwater. Data show that most critical chemical–physical parameters are turbidity, total organic carbon and iron, whereas conductivity has greatly decreased in comparison with the February 2005 monitoring campaign. Furthermore, a high faecal contamination related to both constructive and operational deficiencies was detected in most monitored wells; therefore, measures aimed at improving habits in well operation and favouring water domestic treatment are necessary.     

A multidisciplinary weight of evidence approach for classifying polluted sediments: Integrating sediment chemistry, bioavailability, biomarkers responses and bioassays

Evaluation of chemical bioavailability and onset of biological alterations is fundamental to assess the hazard of environmental pollutants, particularly when associated to sediments which need to be removed. In the present work, five sediment samples were collected from the Venice Lagoon and data from sediment chemistry were integrated with those of bioaccumulation of chemicals in European eel (Anguilla anguilla) exposed under laboratory conditions, responses of a wide battery of biomarkers, and standardized ecotoxicological bioassays. The overall results were elaborated within a recently developed, software-assisted weight of evidence (WOE) model which provides synthetic indices for each of considered line of evidence (LOE), before a general evaluation of sediment hazard. Levels of chemicals in sediments were not particularly elevated when compared to sediment quality guidelines of Venice Protocol. On the other hand, bioavailability was evident in some samples for Cd, Cu, Zn and, especially, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The ecotoxicological approach provided further evidence on the biological and potentially harmful effects due to released contaminants, and oxidative-mediated responses appeared of primary importance in modulating sublethal responses and the onset of cellular alterations. Biomarkers variations were sensitive, and more evident variations included significant changes of cytochrome P450 biotransformation pathway, antioxidant responses, onset of oxidative damages, lysosomal membrane stability and genotoxic effects. The results obtained from the battery of bioassays indicated that responses measured at organism level were in general accordance but less marked compared to the onset of sublethal changes measured through biomarkers. Overall this study revealed differences when comparing evaluations obtained from different LOEs, confirming the importance of considering synergistic effects between chemicals in complex mixtures. Compared to a qualitative pass-fail approach toward normative values, the proposed WOE model allowed a quantitative characterization of sediment hazard and a better discrimination of on the basis of various types of chemical and biological data.     

Relationship between arsenic accumulation in tissues and hematological parameters in mullet caught in Faro Lake: a preliminary study

The authors investigated the arsenic (As) accumulation in different tissues (muscle, gill, liver, stomach, and intestine) and the possible correlation between tissue concentration and hematological parameters in mullet (Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758) caught in Faro Lake (Messina, Sicily, Italy). On all fish, hematological analyses of blood samples, measurement of biometric indices, and the removal of the muscles, gills, liver, stomach, and intestine for the determination of arsenic concentration were performed. A hemogram was performed to find effects of arsenic concentration in tissues on hematological variables. One-way analysis of variance showed significant differences of arsenic concentration in different tissues, with higher values in the gill. The correlation between hematological parameters and tissue arsenic concentration showed a statistical significance for red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) with the liver As concentration. Biometric indices (weight, length, and fork length) showed a significant correlation with As concentration of the muscle and liver also. Our results indicate the role of some hematological parameters as biomarkers useful to monitoring anthropogenic load of arsenic in water and sediment, because variations of these parameters represent one of the effects that arsenic exposure can have on fish.

     

Leaching of S-metolachlor,terbuthylazine, desethyl-terbuthylazine,mesotrione, flufenacet,isoxaflutole, and diketonitrile in field lysimeters as affected by the time elapsed between spraying and first leaching event

The effect of elapsed time between spraying and first leaching event on the leaching behavior of five herbicides (terbuthylazine, S-metolachlor, mesotrione, flufenacet, and isoxaflutole) and two metabolites (desethyl-terbuthylazine and diketonitrile) was evaluated in a 2011–2012 study in northwest Italy. A battery of 12 lysimeters (8.4 m² long with a depth of 1.8 m) were used in the study, each filled with silty-loam soil and treated during pre-emergence with the selected herbicides by applying a mixture of commercial products Lumax (4 L ha^?1) and Merlin Gold (1 L ha^?1). During treatment periods, no gravity water was present in lysimeters. Irrigation events capable of producing leaching (40 mm) were conducted on independent groups of three lysimeters on 1 day after treatment (1 DAT), 7 DAT, 14 DAT, and 28 DAT. The series was then repeated 14 days later. Leachate samples were collected a few days after irrigation; compounds were extracted by solid phase extraction and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Under study conditions, terbuthylazine and S-metolachlor showed the highest leaching potentials. Specifically, S-metolachlor concentrations were always found above 0.25 µg L^?1. Desethyl-terbuthylazine was often detected in leached waters, in most cases at concentrations above 0.1 µg L^?1. Flufenacet leached only when irrigation occurred close to the time of herbicide spraying. Isoxaflutole and mesotrione were not measured (<0.1 µg L^?1), while diketonitrile was detected in concentrations above 0.1 µg L^?1 on 1 DAT in 2011 only.     

Assessing sediment hazard through a weight of evidence approach with bioindicator organisms: a practical model to elaborate data from sediment chemistry, bioavailability, biomarkers and ecotoxicological bioassays

Quality assessments are crucial to all activities related to removal and management of sediments. Following a multidisciplinary, weight of evidence approach, a new model is presented here for comprehensive assessment of hazards associated to polluted sediments. The lines of evidence considered were sediment chemistry, assessment of bioavailability, sub-lethal effects on biomarkers, and ecotoxicological bioassays. A conceptual and software-assisted model was developed with logical flow-charts elaborating results from each line of evidence on the basis of several chemical and biological parameters, normative guidelines or scientific evidence; the data are thus summarized into four specific synthetic indices, before their integration into an overall sediment hazard evaluation. This model was validated using European eels (Anguilla anguilla) as the bioindicator species, exposed under laboratory conditions to sediments from an industrial site, and caged under field conditions in two harbour areas. The concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and trace metals were much higher in the industrial compared to harbour sediments, and accordingly the bioaccumulation in liver and gills of exposed eels showed marked differences between conditions seen. Among biomarkers, significant variations were observed for cytochrome P450-related responses, oxidative stress biomarkers, lysosomal stability and genotoxic effects; the overall elaboration of these data, as those of standard ecotoxicological bioassays with bacteria, algae and copepods, confirmed a higher level of biological hazard for industrial sediments. Based on comparisons with expert judgment, the model presented efficiently discriminates between the various conditions, both as individual modules and as an integrated final evaluation, and it appears to be a powerful tool to support more complex processes of environmental risk assessment.     

Changes in photosynthesis, mesophyll conductance to CO2, and isoprenoid emissions in Populus nigra plants exposed to excess nickel

Poplar (Populus nigra) plants were grown hydroponically with 30 and 200 μM Ni (Ni₃₀ and Ni₂₀₀). Photosynthesis limitations and isoprenoid emissions were investigated in two leaf types (mature and developing). Ni stress significantly decreased photosynthesis, and this effect depended on the leaf Ni content, which was lower in mature than in developing leaves. The main limitations to photosynthesis were attributed to mesophyll conductance and metabolism impairment. In Ni-stressed developing leaves, isoprene emission was significantly stimulated. We attribute such stimulation to the lower chloroplastic [CO₂] than in control leaves. However chloroplastic [CO₂] did not control isoprene emission in mature leaves. Ni stress induced the emission of cis-β-ocimene in mature leaves, and of linalool in both leaf types. Induced biosynthesis and emission of isoprenoids reveal the onset of antioxidant processes that may also contribute to reduce Ni stress, especially in mature poplar leaves.     

Agricultural and green infrastructures: the role of non-urbanised areas for eco-sustainable planning in a metropolitan region

Non-Urbanised Areas (NUAs) are part of agricultural and green infrastructures that provide ecosystem services. Their role is fundamental for the minimization of urban pollution and adaptation to climate change. Like all natural ecosystems, NUAs are endangered by urban sprawl. The regulation of sprawl is a key issue for land-use planning. We propose a land use suitability strategy model to orient Land Uses of NUAs, based on integration of Land Cover Analysis (LCA) and Fragmentation Analysis (FA). With LCA the percentage of evapotranspiring surface is defined for each land use. Dimensions and densities of NUAs patches are assessed in FA. The model has been developed with Geographical Information Systems, using an extensive set of geodatabases, including orthophotos, vectorial cartographies and field surveys. The case of the municipality of Mascalucia in Catania metropolitan area (Italy), characterized by a considerable urban sprawl, is presented.     

Myoelectric manifestation of muscle fatigue in repetitive work detected by means of miniaturized sEMG sensors

Upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders have a 12-month prevalence ranging from 12 to 41% worldwide and can be partly caused by handling low loads at high frequency. The association between the myoelectric manifestation of elbow flexor muscle fatigue and occupational physical demand has never been investigated. It was hypothesized that an elbow flexor muscle fatigue index could be a valid risk indicator in handling low loads at high frequency. This study aims to measure the myoelectric manifestation of muscle fatigue of the three elbow flexor muscles during the execution of the work tasks in different risk conditions. Fifteen right-handed healthy adults were screened using a movement analysis laboratory consisting of optoelectronic, dynamometer and surface electromyographic systems. The main result indicates that the fatigue index calculated from the brachioradialis is sensitive to the interaction among risk classes, session and gender, and above all it is sensitive to the risk classes.     

Advancing Energy Access Modelling with Geographic Information System Data

One of the main goals in pursuing sustainable development is to provide universal access to modern energy services, notably through the use of off-grid renewable energy technologies. To date, integrated assessment models (IAMs) poorly address energy access targets. In the context of research dedicated to energy scenarios and climate change mitigation in Africa, we attempt to advance the representation of energy access in one such IAM by using GIS data. In a case study for Ethiopia with the TIAM-ECN model, we demonstrate that by enriching an IAM with information derived from GIS databases, insights are obtained that better capture the dynamics of energy access developments, in comparison to conventional IAM analysis of energy technology deployment pathways. When duly accounting for the geographical spread in demography and technology costs in a developing country, we find that many people may gain access to electricity in remote areas thanks to the availability of affordable off-grid power production options that render expensive grid extensions unnecessary. This effect is not explicitly accounted for in most traditional IAMs. By the middle of the century, off-grid technologies could provide affordable electricity to 70% of the Ethiopian population, based almost entirely on renewable sources such as wind, solar and hydropower.