Reductive dehalogenation of tetrabromobisphenol-A by sediment from a contaminated ephemeral streambed and an enrichment culture

This study was aimed at improving our understanding of the physiology of the microorganisms that reductively dehalogenate tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA). Activity was followed in contaminated sediments from a polluted streambed as well as from fracture filling material underlying the stream. Reductive dehalogenation was observed in surface sediments but not in fracture filling samples from a depth of 3m. Likewise, anaerobic microbial activity, represented by sulphate reduction, was much higher in the surface sediment. In the culture enriched from the surface sediment, optimal microbial debromination of TBBPA took place at a salinity of 2% and 3% NaCl, temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, and pH of 7-8. Ethanol, pyruvate and the combination of hydrogen with acetate were the most suitable electron donors and carbon sources for this culture. Alternative electron acceptors like Fe(3+), SO(4)(2-), SO(3)(2-), NO(3)(-) and 2,4,6-tribromophenol inhibited TBBPA debromination. The debrominating bacteria were heat sensitive (80 degrees Celsius, for 10min) but were not inhibited by bromoethanesulphonate or molybdate. This study allowed optimisation of our culturing conditions, but was also important for understanding the factors which influence TBBPA debromination in situ.     

Avoidance bio-assays may help to test the ecological significance of soil pollution

We measured the short-term (100 min) avoidance of a soil heavily polluted by hydrocarbons by the soil springtail Folsomia candida, at six rates of dilution in a control, unpolluted soil. We compared the results with those of long-term (40-day) population tests. Five strains were compared, of varying geographical and ecological origin. When pure, the polluted soil was lethal in the long-term and avoided in the short-term by all strains. Avoidance tests, but not population tests, were able to discriminate between strains. Avoidance thresholds differed among strains. Two ecological consequences of the results were discussed: (i) toxic compounds may kill soil animals or deprive them from food, resulting in death of populations, (ii) pollution spots can be locally deprived of fauna because of escape movements of soil animals. Advantages and limitations of the method have been listed, together with proposals for their wider use in soil ecology and ecotoxicology.     

The combined use of chemical and biochemical markers to assess water quality along the Ebro River

Carp (Cyprinus carpio) and barbel (Barbus graellsii) were collected from five sites along the Ebro River. The study was designed to assess levels of persistent organic pollutants and metals bioaccumulated by fish, and some biochemical responses (cytochrome P450 system, phase II activities, and metallothioneins) against those pollutants. The highest levels of PCBs and DDTs were detected in carp from industrialised areas, which also showed high levels of mercury and cadmium in the liver, and high levels of nonylphenol in bile. Significant alterations in some biochemical markers were observed and associated to combined exposure to pollutants. The activity 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase ranged from 69 pmol/min/mg protein in carp from the reference site to 415 pmol/min/mg protein in those from polluted sites. Carp from the Ebro Delta, an agricultural area, had depressed acetylcholinesterase in muscle tissue. Metallothionein concentrations were positively correlated with copper residues, but no significant differences among sampling points were observed.     

Effect of chromium on the fatty acid composition of two strains of Euglena gracilis

The effect of hexavalent chromium on fatty acid composition was studied in two strains of Euglena gracilis; UTEX 753 (from the Culture Collection of Algae of Texas University, USA) and MAT (isolated from a highly polluted River). Both were grown in photoauxotrophic and photoheterotrophic conditions and exposed to two metal concentrations, one below and one above IC50. The high malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (3 to 7-fold) obtained with chromium concentration above IC50, suggested the existence of metal-induced lipid peroxidation. Total lipid content increased only with concentration below IC50, whereas it was inhibited by higher metal concentration. Photoheterotrophic control strains exhibited a significantly higher proportion of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Polyunsaturated acids were most affected by chromium, especially those related to chloroplast structures. Ultra-structure studies showed clear thylakoid disorganization in all treated cells. The results indicate that hexavalent chromium affects levels of fatty acids, especially those related to photosynthetic activity.     

Metal bioaccumulation and metallothionein concentrations in larvae of Crassostrea gigas

Larval stages of bivalve molluscs are highly sensitive to pollutants. Oysters from a hatchery from Normandy (English Channel) were induced to spawn, and fertilized eggs were exposed to copper or cadmium for 24 h. Metal accumulation (from 0.125 to 5 microg Cu L(-1) and from 25 to 200 microg Cd L(-1)) and MT concentrations were measured in larvae. Compared to controls, larvae accumulated copper and cadmium with an increase in MT concentrations particularly with cadmium (i.e. 130.96 ng Cu (mg protein)(-1) and 12.69 microg MT (mg protein)(-1) at 1 microg Cu L(-1) versus 23.19 ng Cu (mg protein)(-1) and 8.92 microg MT (mg protein)(-1) in control larvae; 334.3 ng Cd (mg protein)(-1) and 11.70 microg MT (mg protein)(-1) at 200 microg Cd L(-1) versus 0.87 ng Cd (mg protein)(-1) and 4.60 microg MT (mg protein)(-1) in control larvae). Larvae were also obtained from oysters of a clean area (Arcachon Bay) and a polluted zone (Bidassoa estuary) and exposed to copper in the laboratory, their MT concentration was measured as well as biomarkers of oxidative stress. Biomarker responses and sensitivity to copper for the larvae from Arcachon oysters were higher than for those from Bidassoa.     

Pilot survey of a broad range of priority pollutants in sediment and fish from the Ebro river basin (NE Spain)

Priority organic pollutants were investigated in sediments and fish collected along the Ebro river basin (NE Spain) to evaluate their occurrence, transport and bioavailability. Sediments were collected in 18 sites and two species of fish were captured in nine sites according to the availability in each area. The sampling sites covered industrial, urban and agricultural areas. Four methods were used to detect 20 organochlorine compounds (OCs), 8 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 3 organotin compounds, 2 alkylphenols and 40 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from purified extracts. The contamination pattern was site specific and no downstream increase in concentration of pollutants was observed but rather a generalized low level diffuse pollution. Target compounds were detected in sediments at 0.01 to 2331 microg/kg dry weight, and only OCs and PBDEs were accumulated in benthopelagic fish. Toxicological assessment was performed according to predicted environmental levels and revealed sites where adverse effects could occur.     

Distribution and relationships between selected chemical elements in green alga Enteromorpha sp. from the southern Baltic

The concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Mn) and macroelements (K, Na, Ca and Mg) were determined in green alga Enteromorpha sp. from the coastal zone of the southern Baltic including Gulf of Gdańsk and Vistula Lagoon in 2000-2003. In order to estimate the degree of accumulation of each element by the green alga, concentration and discrimination factors (CFs) with respect to seawater were calculated. The results of factor analysis (FA) and ANOVA clearly indicate geographical differences between concentrations of chemical elements. Enteromorpha sp. from Vistula Lagoon and the southern Baltic exhibited higher levels of Mn and Ni, and Na and K, respectively. Anthropogenic impact of Cu, Pb and Zn, possibly originated from municipal sewage, was identified in alga samples collected in the Gulf of Gdańsk, especially in the vicinity of Gdynia. From comparison our data with those published earlier results that Pb content in Enteromorpha sp. from the Gulf of Gdańsk decreased within 1978-2003 reflecting reducing use of leaded petrol in Baltic countries in this period. The alga Enteromorpha sp. can be used for biomonitoring surveys of metal contaminants in coastal areas of the Baltic Sea.     

北京地区一次大气环境持续严重污染过程中SO2的垂直分布分析

在2004-09-27～2004-10-12期间,以325m气象与环境观测塔为平台,使用43CTL型高精度脉冲荧光SO₂分析仪,分别布置在观测塔8m、47m、120m和280m 4层观测平台,对大气中的SO₂气体浓度、PM₁₀和PM_2.5粒子质量浓度及同步气象因素进行了垂直梯度、连续观测.结合气象数据分析了观测期间大气中SO₂气体浓度的垂直梯度分布及变化形势,进行了SO₂浓度与混合层高度变化、海平面气压变化,风速、风向变化等要素的相关分析,观测到在实验期间大气边界层中SO₂浓度由上向下递减分布的现象.由于地形与污染源分布的影响,北风最有利于污染扩散等状况.观测期间捕捉到一次主要由气象因素造成的大气环境严重持续污染及污染清除的全过程.     

潮土施镍对小白菜的生物效应及其临界值研究

研究潮土施Ni对盆栽蔬菜的生态效应,并通过小白菜生物量的变化、地上部茎叶Ni质量比及土壤有效态Ni质量比来表征土壤Ni污染的毒性临界值.结果表明,潮土施Ni对蔬菜未表现出增产效应.施Ni量低于25 mg/kg,其生物产量无明显降低.随施Ni量的增加,生物产量呈显著下降,生物量变化与Ni质量比呈高度负相关.潮土施Ni增加茎叶和根系中Fe,Mn,Ca,Mg元素质量比,降低Cu,Zn元素质量比.4种性质不同的提取试剂提取的土壤有效态Ni质量比与植物Ni吸收均呈高度正相关,较好地反映了植物的危害状况,且以DTPA提取效果最佳.以生物减产量突变点为依据,确定潮土施Ni毒害临界值为:土壤全量Ni为41.86 mg/kg,有效态Ni质量比为2.55mg/kg(DTPA)和茎叶Ni质量比为22.39 mg/kg.     

回收法氧化镁湿法烟气脱硫机理和工艺基础研究

以氧化镁浆液作为吸收液,对空气与SO₂混合气的鼓泡吸收做了全过程的实验观察.测试分析表明,在高效而稳定的脱硫过程中,吸收液的酸化是由HSO₃^-所致;酸化趋势与SO₂水解规律相一致,由初期高pH值下SO₃^2-为主的缓变到低pH值下HSO₃^-为主的剧变;吸收液温度对脱硫率的影响不敏感;MgSO₃相对高的溶解度和易氧化性及MgSO₄良好的水溶性保持了MgO脱硫的高效率(>98%)和高利用率.燃煤烟气脱硫工业试验确认了MgSO₄经吸收液循环可提浓至实验温度(40～50℃)下的饱和浓度而不产生有害影响,脱硫率因脱硫活性物质的富集反而提高,从而显示出回收工艺的技术经济可行性.