Bioaccumulation of butyltins and liver damage in the demersal fish Cathorops spixii (Siluriformes,Ariidae)

The toxicity of butyltin compounds (BTs), mainly tributyltin (TBT), has been reported in different organisms. However, such an analysis in fish after field exposure with reference to the related biomarkers has not been commonly observed in the literature. This study presents the uptake of BTs in the liver of a neotropical marine catfish Cathorops spixii in Paranagua Bay, an important estuarine system located in southern Brazil. Two different areas, close to and distant from the harbor, were used for chemical analysis evaluation of hepatotoxicity through genetic, enzymatic, and histopathological biomarkers. The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bile was also considered as a biomarker. The results showed a significant relationship between TBT levels and the inhibition of biotransformation enzymes and high occurrence of melanomacrophages in fish collected close to the harbor site. These effects were linked to the absence of TBT metabolites in the liver. In the second site, the presence of DBT was associated with an increase in EROD and GST activity. The larger amount of DNA damage as well as the highest oxidative stress was noted in fish from the less TBT-polluted area, where DBT and bile PAHs occurred. These findings showed different impact levels due to or increased by the chronic exposure of biota to BTs.     

Electrochemical removal of synthetic textile dyes from aqueous solutions using Ti/Pt anode: role of dye structure

In this work, the efficiency of electrochemical oxidation (EO) was investigated for removing a dye mixture containing Novacron Yellow (NY) and Remazol Red (RR) in aqueous solutions using platinum supported on titanium (Ti/Pt) as anode. Different current densities (20, 40 and 60 mA cm^?2) and temperatures (25, 40 and 60 °C) were studied during electrochemical treatment. After that, the EO of each of these dyes was separately investigated. The EO of each of these dyes was performed, varying only the current density and keeping the same temperature (25 °C). The elimination of colour was monitored by UV-visible spectroscopy, and the degradation of organic compounds was analysed by means of chemical oxygen demand (COD). Data obtained from the analysis of the dye mixture showed that the EO process was effective in colour removal, in which more than 90 % was removed. In the case of COD removal, the application of a current density greater than 40 mA cm^?2 favoured the oxygen evolution reaction, and no complete oxidation was achieved. Regarding the analysis of individual anodic oxidation dyes, it was appreciated that the data for the NY were very close to the results obtained for the oxidation of the dye mixture while the RR dye achieved higher colour removal but lower COD elimination. These results suggest that the oxidation efficiency is dependent on the nature of the organic molecule, and it was confirmed by the intermediates identified. Figure

Chemical structures of a NY and b RR     

TPS/PCL Composite Reinforced with Treated Sisal Fibers: Property, Biodegradation and Water-Absorption

Sisal fibers bleached with sodium-hydroxide followed by hydrogen peroxide treatment were incorporated in a thermoplastic starch/ε-polycaprolactone (TPS/PCL) blend via extrusion processing. These samples with smooth and homogenous surfaces were examined for their property, biodegradability and water absorption. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the fibers were well dispersed in the matrix. In addition, it was found that the fibers and matrices interacted strongly. Blends with 20 % (dry weight-basis) fiber content showed some fiber agglomeration. Whereas blends with 10 % fibers showed increased crystallinity and lower water absorption capacity. The CO₂ evolution study showed that the thermoplastic starch samples without any additives had the highest rate and extent of degradation whereas the neat PCL samples had the lowest degradation rate. Addition of fiber to the TPS/PCL blend exhibited the degradation rates and extents that were somewhere in between the pure TPS and neat PCL. This work demonstrates that TPS/PCL composites reinforced with bleached sisal has superior structural characteristics and water resistance and thus, can be used as polymeric engineering composites for different applications.     

Livelihoods and landscapes at the threshold of change: disaster and resilience in a Chiapas coffee community

In 2005, torrential rains associated with Hurricane Stan devastated farm systems in southern Mexico. We present a case study on the impacts of and responses to Hurricane Stan by coffee households in three communities in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico, with the objective of illuminating the linkages between household vulnerability and resilience. We analyze data from 64 household surveys in a cluster analysis to link household impacts experienced to post-Stan adaptive responses and relate these results with landscape-level land-cover changes. The degree of livelihood change was most significant for land-constrained households whose specialization in coffee led to high exposure and sensitivity to Stan and little adaptive capacity. Across the sample, the role of coffee in livelihood strategies declined, as households sought land to secure subsistence needs and diversified economically after Stan. Nevertheless, livelihoods and landscape outcomes were not closely coupled, at least at the temporal and spatial scale of our analysis: We found no evidence of land-use change associated with farmers’ coping strategies. While households held strong attitudes regarding effective resource management for risk reduction, this knowledge does not necessarily translate into capacities to manage resilience at broader scales. We argue that policy interventions are needed to help materialize local strategies and knowledge on risk management, not only to allow individual survival but also to enhance resilience at local, community and landscape scales.     

Algae turf scrubber and vertical constructed wetlands combined system for decentralized secondary wastewater treatment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Water shortage is a current problem faced by many regions. The deterioration of water bodies driven by the directly discard of untreated wastewater...     

Real-world vehicle emissions: a summary of the Sixteenth Coordinating Research Council On-Road Vehicle Emissions Workshop

The Coordinating Research Council held its 16th workshop in March 2006, with 83 presentations describing the most recent mobile source-related emissions research. In this paper, we summarize the presentations from researchers who are engaged in improving our understanding of the contribution of mobile sources to air quality. Participants in the workshop discussed evaluation of in-use emissions control programs, effects of fuels on emissions, emission models and emission inventories, results from gas- and particle-phase emissions studies from spark-ignition and diesel-powered vehicles, and efforts to improve our capabilities in performing on-board emissions measurements, as well as topics for future research.     

Interactions of uranium with polyphosphate

Inorganic polyphosphates (PolyP) are simple linear phosphate (PO(4)(3-)) polymers which are produced by a variety of microorganisms. One of their functions is to complex metals resulting in their precipitation. We investigated the interaction of phosphate and low-molecular-weight PolyP (1400-1900Da) with uranyl ion at various pHs. Potentiometric titration of uranyl ion in the presence of phosphate showed two sharp inflection points at pHs 4 and 8 due to uranium hydrolysis reaction and interaction with phosphate. Titration of uranyl ion and PolyP revealed a broad inflection point starting at pH 4 indicating that complexation of U-PolyP occurs over a wide range of pHs with no uranium hydrolysis. EXAFS analysis of the U-HPO(4) complex revealed that an insoluble uranyl phosphate species was formed below pH 6; at higher pH (> or = 8) uranium formed a precipitate consisting of hydroxophosphato species. In contrast, adding uranyl ion to PolyP resulted in formation of U-PolyP complex over the entire pH range studied. At low pH (< or = 6) an insoluble U-PolyP complex having a monodentate coordination of phosphate with uranium was observed. Above pH 6 however, a soluble bidentate complex with phosphate and uranium was predominant. These results show that the complexation and solubility of uranium with PO(4) and PolyP are dependent upon pH.     

SMARCC1 is a susceptibility gene for congenital hydrocephalus with an autosomal dominant inheritance mode and incomplete penetrance

A Jewish couple of mixed origin was referred for genetic counseling following termination of pregnancy at 18 weeks of gestation due to severe ventriculomegaly with aqueduct stenosis. Trio exome sequencing revealed a loss-of-function heterozygous variant in the SMARCC1 gene inherited from an unaffected mother. The SMARCC1 gene is associated with embryonic neurodevelopmental processes. Recent studies have linked perturbations of the gene with autosomal dominant congenital hydrocephalus, albeit with reduced penetrance. However, these studies were not referenced in the SMARCC1 OMIM record (*601732) and the gene was not considered, at the time, an OMIM morbid gene. Following our case and appeal, SMARCC1 is now considered a susceptibility gene for hydrocephalus. This allowed us to reclassify the variant as likely pathogenic and empowered the couple to make informed reproductive choices.     

Interrogating Social Sustainability in the Biofuels Sector in Latin America: Tensions Between Global Standards and Local Experiences in Mexico,Brazil, and Colombia

Across the Americas, biofuels production systems are diverse due to geographic conditions, historical patterns of land tenure, different land use patterns, government policy frameworks, and relations between the national state and civil society, all of which shape the role that biofuels play in individual nations. Although many national governments throughout the Americas continue to incentivize growth of the biofuels industry, one key challenge for biofuels sustainability has been concern about its social impacts. In this article, we discuss some of the key social issues and tensions related to the recent expansion of biofuels production in Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil. We argue that a process of “simplification” of ecological and cultural diversity has aided the expansion of the biofuels frontier in these countries, but is also undermining their viability. We consider the ability of governments and non-state actors in multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSI) to address social and environmental concerns that affect rural livelihoods as a result of biofuels expansion. We analyze the tensions between global sustainability standards, national level policies for biofuels development, and local level impacts and visions of sustainability. We find that both government and MSI efforts to address sustainability concerns have limited impact, and recommend greater incorporation of local needs and expertise to improve governance.     

Decision support tools for collaborative marine spatial planning: identifying potential sites for tidal energy devices around the Mull of Kintyre,Scotland

The expansion of offshore renewable energy production, such as wind, wave and tidal energy, is likely to lead to conflict between different users of the sea. Two types of spatial decision support tools were developed to support stakeholder workshops. A value mapping tool combines regional attributes with local knowledge. A negotiation support tool uses these value maps to support stakeholders in finding acceptable locations for tidal energy devices. Interactive value mapping proved useful to address deficiencies in data and to create credibility for these maps. The negotiation tool helped stakeholders in balancing objectives of the various stakeholders.