High-affinity ouabain receptors: primary membrane sensors for ionizing radiation

Although the high sensitivity of the Na/K pump in cell membrane to ionizing radiation is well known in literature, the individual role of different isoforms of pump in determination of its radio-sensitivity is not clear yet. This is the subject of the present investigation. Using isotope, electro-physiological and enzymological methods, the effect of γ-ionizing radiation on cell membrane voltage-current characteristics, acetylcholine-induced membrane current, ²²Na⁺ and ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ exchange between cells and bathing solution, Na+K⁺-ATPase activity, dose-dependent ouabain binding with cell membrane, intracellular cAMP and membrane phosphorylation in snail neurons were studied. The changes in neurons as a result of 30-min γ-radiation exposure of snails to 5.16 Ci/kg at the end of the first 30 min of post-radiation period were as follows: the increase in membrane ionic conductance reversed the ouabain sensitivity of acetylcholine-induced currents, stimulation of ²²Na⁺ and ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptakes, inhibition of Na/K pump, activation Na/Ca exchange in reversed mode, increase in ouabain binding with high-affinity α₃ and decrease with α₂ middle-affinity receptors, decrease in intracellular cAMP content and membrane dephosphorylation. On the basis of the obtained data, it is suggested that both α₃ and α₂ catalytic subunits of Na⁺+K⁺-ATPase serve primary membrane sensors through the activation of which the biological effect of γ-radiation on neurons is realized. The IR has activation effects on α₃-dependent Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange in forward and its inactivation on α₂-dependent reverse modes.     

A simple model to assess nitrogen and phosphorus contamination in ungauged surface drainage networks: application to the Massaciuccoli Lake Catchment, Italy

Modeling is a common practice to evaluate factors affecting water quality in environmental systems impaired by point and nonpoint losses of N and P. Nevertheless, in situations with inadequate information, such as ungauged basins, a balance between model complexity and data availability is necessary. In this paper, we applied a simplified analytical model to an artificially drained floodplain in central-western Italy to evaluate the importance of different nutrient sources and in-stream retention processes and to identify critical source areas. We first considered only a set of chemical concentrations in water measured from February through May 2008 and from November 2008 through February 2009. We then broadened available data to include water discharge and hydraulic-head measurements to construct a hydrogeological model using MODFLOW-2000 and to evaluate the reliability of the simplified method. The simplified model provided acceptable estimates of discharge (ranging from 0.03-0.75 m s) and diffuse nutrient inputs from water table discharge and in-stream retention phenomena. Estimates of PO-P and total P retention (ranging from 1.0 to 0.6 μg m s and from 1.18 to 0.95 μg m s for PO-P and total P, respectively) were consistent with the range of variability in literature data. In contrast, the higher temporal variability of nitrate concentrations decreased model accuracy, suggesting the need for more intensive monitoring. The model also separated the dynamics of different reaches of the drainage network and identified zones considered critical source areas and buffer zones where pollutant transport is reduced.     

Investigation of an Escherichia coli environmental benchmark for waterborne pathogens in agricultural watersheds in Canada

Canada's National Agri-Environmental Standards Initiative sought to develop an environmental benchmark for low-level waterborne pathogen occurrence in agricultural watersheds. A field study collected 902 water samples from 27 sites in four intensive agricultural watersheds across Canada from 2005 to 2007. Four of the sites were selected as reference sites away from livestock and human fecal pollution sources in each watershed. Water samples were analyzed for Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli O157:H7, Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., and the water quality indicator E. coli. The annual mean number of pathogen species was higher at agricultural sites (1.54 ± 0.07 species per water sample) than at reference sites (0.75 ± 0.14 species per water sample). The annual mean concentration of E. coli was also higher at agricultural sites (491 ± 96 colony-forming units [cfu] 100 mL(-1)) than at reference sites (53 ± 18 cfu 100 mL(-1)). The feasibility of adopting existing E. coli water quality guideline values as an environmental benchmark was assessed, but waterborne pathogens were detected at agricultural sites in 80% of water samples with low E. coli concentrations (<100 cfu 100 mL(-1)). Instead, an approach was developed based on using the natural background occurrence of pathogens at reference sites in agricultural watersheds to derive provisional environmental benchmarks for pathogens at agricultural sites. The environmental benchmarks that were derived were found to represent E. coli values lower than geometric mean values typically found in recreational water quality guidelines. Additional research is needed to investigate environmental benchmarks for waterborne pathogens within the context of the "One World, One Health" perspective for protecting human, domestic animal, and wildlife health.     

The Tarland Catchment Initiative and its effect on stream water quality and macroinvertebrate indices

The Tarland Catchment Initiative is a partnership venture between researchers, land managers, regulators, and the local community. Its aims are to improve water quality, promote biodiversity, and increase awareness of catchment management. In this study, the effects of buffer strip installations and remediation of a large septic tank effluent were appraised by water physico-chemistry (suspended solids, NO, NH, soluble reactive P) and stream macroinvertebrate indices used by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency. It was done during before and after interventions over an 8-yr period using a paired catchment approach. Because macroinvertebrate indices were previously shown to respond negatively to suspended solid concentrations in the study area, the installation of buffer strips along the headwaters was expected to improve macroinvertebrate scores. Although water quality (soluble reactive P, NH) improved downstream of the septic tank effluent after remediation, there was no detectable change in macroinvertebrate scores. Buffer strip installations in the headwaters had no measurable effects (beyond possible weak trends) on water quality or macroinvertebrate scores. Either the buffer strips have so far been ineffective or ineffectiveness of assessment methods and sampling frequency and time lags in recovery prevent us detecting reliable effects. To explain and appreciate these constraints on measuring stream recovery, continuous capacity building with land managers and other stakeholders is essential; otherwise, the feasibility of undertaking sufficient management interventions is likely to be compromised and projects deemed unsuccessful.     

Water quality characteristics of discharge from reforested loose-dumped mine spoil in eastern Kentucky

Surface mining is a common method for extracting coal in the coal fields of eastern Kentucky. Using the Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA), which emphasizes the use of minimally compacted or loose-dumped spoil as a growth medium for trees, reclamation practitioners are successfully reestablishing forests. Yet, questions remain regarding the effects FRA has on the quality of waters discharged to receiving streams. To examine the effect of FRA on water quality, this study compared waters that were discharged from three types of spoils: predominantly brown, weathered sandstone (BROWN); predominantly gray, unweathered sandstone (GRAY); and an equal mixture of both aforementioned sandstones and shale (MIXED). The water quality parameters pH, EC, Ca, K, Mg, Na, NO-N, NH-N, SO, Cl, TC, suspended sediment concentration (SSC), settleable solids (SS), and turbidity were monitored over a 2-yr period on six 0.4-ha plots (two replications per spoil type). Generally, levels of Cl, SO, Ca, NO-N, NH-N, SS, SSC, and turbidity decreased over time. The pH for all spoils increased from about 7.5 to 8.5. The EC remained relatively level in the BROWN spoil, whereas the GRAY and MIXED spoils had downward trajectories that were approaching 500 μS cm. The value of 500 μS cm has been reported as the apparent threshold at which certain taxa such as Ephemeroptera (e.g., Mayfly) recolonize disturbed headwater streams of eastern Kentucky and adjacent coal-producing Appalachian states.     

欧美等发达国家水环境监测方法体系

分别简述了美国、欧盟和日本等发达国家或组织水环境监测方法体系发展历程,分析了其各自水环境监测方法体系特点。对中国水环境监测方法体系的制定与实施提出了建议。     

NaCl改性沸石去除水中低浓度铅的研究

实验研究了NaCl改性沸石去除水中铅的效果,比较了沸石改性前后对铅的静态平衡吸附量变化,着重考察了吸附时间、pH值、竞争离子以及有机物对去除铅效果的影响。结果表明:NaCl改性沸石吸附铅速度快,对铅有很好的去除效果,平衡吸附量由改性前的28.57mg/g提高到了32.26mg/g。pH值对NaCl改性沸石去除水中铅的效果有较大影响,在pH=6～7时,去除效果最佳。水中竞争阳离子和有机物的存在,在一定程度上会降低铅的去除效果;随干扰物质浓度的升高,NaCl改性沸石对铅去除率出现了明显的下降,但当干扰物质和水样中铅浓度相当时,NaCl改性沸石可对铅保持很高的去除率。     

变压吸附技术的应用及其发展简述

文章分析了变压吸附技术存在的问题,并提出解决措施。通过对变压吸附技术应用现状的总结,对该技术未来的发展方向进行预测与评价。指出变压吸附技术能够经济高效地实现物质的分离,有望成为分离技术未来的发展方向,为环保和工业生产做出更大贡献。     

How will Ocean Acidification Affect Baltic Sea Ecosystems? An Assessment of Plausible Impacts on Key Functional Groups

Increasing partial pressure of atmospheric CO₂ is causing ocean pH to fall—a process known as ‘ocean acidification’. Scenario modeling suggests that ocean acidification in the Baltic Sea may cause a ≤3 times increase in acidity (reduction of 0.2–0.4 pH units) by the year 2100. The responses of most Baltic Sea organisms to ocean acidification are poorly understood. Available data suggest that most species and ecologically important groups in the Baltic Sea food web (phytoplankton, zooplankton, macrozoobenthos, cod and sprat) will be robust to the expected changes in pH. These conclusions come from (mostly) single-species and single-factor studies. Determining the emergent effects of ocean acidification on the ecosystem from such studies is problematic, yet very few studies have used multiple stressors and/or multiple trophic levels. There is an urgent need for more data from Baltic Sea populations, particularly from environmentally diverse regions and from controlled mesocosm experiments. In the absence of such information it is difficult to envision the likely effects of future ocean acidification on Baltic Sea species and ecosystems.