Possible involvement of the glycocalyx in the ichthyotoxicity of Chattonella marina (Raphidophyceae): immunological approach using antiserum against cell surface structures of the flagellate

Although the ichthyotoxic mechanism of Chattonella marina is still unknown, several lines of evidence suggest that the reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anion (O₂^-), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)_, and hydroxyl radical (·OH), produced by C. marina are involved in the mortality of fish exposed to this flagellate. Recently, we found that the cell-free supernatant prepared from C. marina, which is considered to contain the glycocalyx, showed NADPH-dependent O₂^- generation. In this study, we prepared antiserum against the crude glycocalyx of C. marina. Using indirect immunofluorescence, it was confirmed that the antiserum specifically reacted with C. marina cells. In addition to C. marina, the antiserum also reacted with other raphidophycean flagellates such as Heterosigma akashiwo, Olisthodiscus luteus, and Fibrocapsa japonica, whereas no reactivity was observed against six other flagellate species tested. These results suggest that raphidophycean flagellates have common epitopes recognized by the antiserum. Interestingly, immunohistochemical analysis of paraformaldehyde-fixed gill lamellae from yellowtail exposed to C. marina revealed that the antiserum stained the surface of gill lamellae, while no such staining pattern was observed in control gill lamellae. These results suggest that the glycocalyx may be discharged when C. marina cells are inhaled into the fishes' mouths and then come into contact with the gill surface. Based on the present results, together with our previous findings, we propose that continuous accumulation of the discharged glycocalyx on the gill surface occurs during C. marina exposure, which may be responsible for the ROS-mediated severe gill tissue damage leading to fish death.     

黄河甘宁蒙段表层沉积物中总磷3种提取方法的比较

通过微波消解法、标准测试方法(SMT)和碱熔法分别测定了水系沉积物成分分析标准物质GBW07307a(GSD-7a)中的总磷(TP)含量,并分别采用3种方法对采集于黄河流域甘宁蒙段表层沉积物样品进行TP含量和样品加标回收率的测定。结果表明:测定标准物质的相对误差绝对值:微波消解法碱熔法SMT法;变异系数:微波消解法碱熔法SMT法。同时,微波消解法提取的表层沉积物TP含量的范围为634.3~909.2μg/g;SMT法TP含量的范围为627.1~889.5μg/g;碱熔法TP含量的范围为559.1~784.8μg/g。微波消解法的测定结果相对偏高,SMT法的测定结果相对偏低。样品加标回收率平均值:微波消解法SMT法碱熔法;变异系数:微波消解法碱熔法SMT法。综合测定标准物质中TP含量以及样品加标回收率实验结果的准确度和精密度,对于黄河甘宁蒙段表层沉积物,使用SMT法提取TP较优于微波消解法和碱熔法。     

城市地表水环境质量排名方法研究

基于现行的国家水环境质量评价标准和方法,研究建立了综合反映城市地表水环境质量的城市水质指数CWQI。方法具有普适性、可操作性和可比性,可用于城市地表水环境质量排名。应用于长三角经济圈、珠三角经济圈和京津冀经济圈的相关城市进行排名测算,3个经济圈的城市水质指数呈现不同的分布规律,总体来说长三角经济圈的城市地表水环境质量优于珠三角经济圈和京津冀经济圈。     

气相分子吸收光谱法测定印染废水中氨氮的影响因素

采用气相分子吸收法光谱测定印染废水中的氨氮,并对相关影响因素进行探讨。结果证实,硫化物和尿素会对氨氮的测定产生负干扰,硫化物干扰可用乙酸锌-乙酸钠固定液沉淀法去除,尿素干扰可以用稀释法去除,但仅适用于氨氮质量浓度0.10 mg/L且稀释后尿素质量浓度≤100 mg/L的水样;苯胺、浊度和色度对测定无干扰,可直接检测。     

Physicochemical parameters aid microbial community? A case study from marine recreational beaches,Southern India

A total of 176 (water and sediment) samples from 22 stations belonging to four different (urban, semi-urban, rural, and holy places) human habitations of Tamil Nadu beaches were collected and analyzed for physiochemical and microbial parameters during 2008–2009. Bacterial counts were two- to tenfold higher in sediments than in water due to strong bacterial aggregations by dynamic flocculation and rich organic content. The elevated bacterial communities during the monsoon explain rainfalls and several other wastes from inlands. Coliform counts drastically increased at holy and urban places due to pilgrimage and other ritual activities. Higher values of the pollution index (PI) ratio (>1) reveals, human fecal pollutions affect the water quality. The averaged PI ratio shows a substantial higher microbial contamination in holy places than in urban areas and the order of decreasing PI ratios observed were: holy places?>?urban areas?>?semi-urban areas?>?rural areas. Correlation and factor analysis proves microbial communities were not related to physicochemical parameters. Principal component analysis indicates 55.32 % of the total variance resulted from human/animal fecal matters and sewage contaminants whereas 19.95 % were related to organic contents and waste materials from the rivers. More than 80 % of the samples showed a higher fecal coliform and Streptococci by crossing the World Health Organization's permissible limits.     

Lead and cadmium contaminations in feathers of heron and egret chicks

In birds, concentrations of heavy metal contaminants were associated with their diet and environmental quality. This study presents concentrations of lead and cadmium in feathers and the relationship between concentrations in the feather and stomach content of three species of heron and egret chicks. Cadmium concentrations were higher in the Little Egret (geomean 0.75 μg/g dry weight) and Black-crowned Night Heron (geomean 0.88 μg/g dry weight) chicks than in Grey Heron chicks (geomean 0.48 μg/g dry weight). Lead and cadmium concentrations had significant correlations between feathers and stomach contents of heron and egret chicks. The mean lead and cadmium concentrations in feathers were within the background levels for wild birds. Heron and egret species forage around breeding colony (4–7 km). Lead and cadmium concentrations in heron and egret chicks were moderately associated with those of prey concentrations. These results suggest that contaminant concentrations such as lead and cadmium in feathers of heron and egret chicks can reflect local heavy metal contaminations and serve as a great biological indicator for monitoring heavy metal contamination. In addition, the feathers can be a routine monitoring tool over time and space without harming the wild birds.