Characterization of heat shock protein 40 and 90 in Chironomus riparius larvae: effects of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exposure on gene expressions and mouthpart deformities

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a widely distributed phthalate that organisms are frequently exposed to due to its wide range of commercial and manufacturing uses as a plasticizer. Indeed, DEHP is often found in freshwater systems that receive domestic waste water discharges. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of DEHP on the mRNA levels of heat shock protein (HSP) 40 and 90 in chironomids. In addition, we evaluated the effects of exposure to DEHP on the induction of morphological deformities in chironomids. To accomplish this, partial sequences of HSP 40 and 90 from Chironomus riparius larvae were amplified and sequenced. The inferred amino acid sequences were then aligned with those of other insect HSP 40 and 90 genes. The results of this alignment revealed that there was a high degree of similarity among the homologues. In addition, the HSP 40 and 90 mRNA expressions were significantly upregulated in response to short and long-term exposure to DEHP at concentrations of 1, 10, and 30 microgL(-1). Furthermore, the occurrence of mouthpart deformities was significantly higher in chironomids that were treated with DEHP (12-20%) than in controls (3-5%). Taken together, these results indicate that HSP 40 and 90 play important roles in the physiological changes related to metabolism and cell protection that occur in C. riparius larvae that have been exposed to DEHP.     

Concentration of bioactive compounds in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis as an indicator of pollution

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organotins were analyzed in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis from polluted and unpolluted sites from Mokpo Bay, Korea. The total PAH's concentrations (10(-3)mgkg(-1)) measured by GC-MS were in the range from 31+/-23 to 1+/-1. Among the eight PAHs the predominant ones were fluoranthene, phenanthrene and pyrene and accounted approximately 63% of the total PAHs. Among the four detected PCBs the highest content was of PCB 153, which accounted about 47% of the total PCBs. The main organotin compounds were dibutyltindichloride (DBT) and tributyltinchloride (TBT) and their composition was approximately 33% and 24%. PAHs, PCBs and organotins were found only in the mussels from polluted site. The antioxidant activity by ABTS [2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] test was higher in mussels from polluted than from unpolluted sites (P<0.05). It was found a correlation between the determined compounds (PAHs, PCBs and organotins) and the antioxidant activity of the mussel tissue from polluted site and the correlation coefficients were 0.96, 0.92 and 0.80, respectively. Such correlation can be explained by the properties of mussels. Since the mussel cell wall and tissues are hydrophobic, they can concentrate a number of hydrophobic pollutants like PAHs and PCBs from the marine environment by solubility rules. On the other hand, proteins are lipophilic compounds having antioxidant properties. Certain amino acid residues and thiol (-SH) groups, contained in proteins, respond to the ABTS antioxidant activity assay. Thus there may be a correlation between the total antioxidant activity of the organism and the PAH-PCB pollutants which were concentrated from its environment. The studied properties of mussels from polluted site can be used as an additional indicator of pollution.     

Monitoring of soil biochemical quality parameters under greenhouse spinach cultivation through animal waste recycling

Under the intensive agricultural system, direct application of animal slurries to soils can provide a sustainable disposal of these wastes by inducing positive changes in soil quality and fertility. However, how animal wastes quantitatively affect the key nutrients (C, N, P and S) transforming soil enzymes is not clearly known. A greenhouse spinach cultivation study demonstrated that pig slurry, either in raw (RS) or processed (aerobically aged) (PS) form, significantly (p?β-glucosidase (23–39%), urease (59–103%), nitrate reductase (73–103%) and dehydrogenase (27–72%)) and microbial growth in soil as compared to the unamended control. However, it did not significantly (p?>?.05) alter the aryl sulphatase enzyme activity. Slurry applications also significantly improved the macro (N, P and K) and micronutrients (Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe) uptake by spinach plant and hence the yield (2.9–3.38 times higher than control). Similarly, compared to chemical fertilisers the application of pig slurries improved soil biological and biochemical parameters as well as plant nutrients uptake. This study demonstrated the closing of global energy and nutrient cycles through land application of animal wastes without compromising the crop yield.     

Using regression models to evaluate the formation of trihalomethanes and haloacetonitriles via chlorination of source water with low SUVA values in the Yangtze River Delta region,China

The purpose of this study was to develop the multiple regression models to evaluate the formation of trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetonitriles (HANs) during chlorination of source water with low specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) in Yangtze River Delta, China. The results showed that the regression models of THMs exhibited good accuracy and precision, and 86–97 % of the calculated values fell within ±25 % of the measured values. While the HANs models showed relatively weak evaluation ability, as only 75–83 % of the calculated values were within ±25 % of the measured values. The organic matter [dissolved organic carbon (DOC) or UV absorbance at 254 nm] and bromide exerted the most important influence on the formation of HANs. While for THMs, besides the organic matter and bromide, reaction time was also a key factor. Comparing the models for total THMs (T-THMs) in this study with others revealed that the regression models from the low SUVA waters may have low DOC coefficients, but high bromide coefficients as compared with those from the high SUVA waters.     

Inhibition of pyrite oxidation by surface coating: a long-term field study

Pyrite and other iron sulfides are readily oxidized by dissolved oxygen in aqueous phase, producing acidity and Fe²⁺, which causes significant environmental problems. Applications of surface coating agents (Na₂SiO₃ and KH₂PO₄) were conducted at Boeun (Chungbuk, South Korea) outcrop site, and their efficiencies to inhibit the oxidation of sulfide minerals were monitored for a long-term period (449 days). The rock sample showed positive Net Acid Production Potential (NAPP = 20.23) and low Net Acid Generation pH (NAGpH = 2.42) values, suggesting that the rock sample was categorized in the potential acid-forming group. For the monitored time period (449 days), field study results showed that the application of Na₂SiO₃ effectively inhibited the pyrite oxidation as compared to KH₂PO₄. Na₂SiO₃ as a surface coating agent maintained pH 5–6 and reduced oxidation of pyrite surface up to 99.95 and 97.70 % indicated by Fe²⁺ and SO₄ ^2? release, respectively. The scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer analysis indicated that the morphology of rock surface was completely changed attributable to formation of iron silicate coating. The experimental results suggested that the treatment with Na₂SiO₃ was highly effective and it might be applicable on field for inhibition of iron sulfide oxidation.     

氨基化有机-无机杂化整体柱分离富集环境水中五价砷

将四乙氧基硅烷(TEOS)和N-(β-氨乙基)-γ-氨丙基三乙氧基硅烷(AEAPTES)作为共聚前体,采用在毛细管内原位聚合的方式制备得到氨基功能化的有机-无机杂化整体柱,将其作为针式固相微萃取(SPME)介质,建立了现场分离富集环境水中As(V)的SPME方法,优化了有机-无机杂化整体柱富集As(V)的实验条件,并研究了整体柱对As(V)的吸附/洗脱性能和富集能力,实现了环境水样中As(V)的高效、快速、高选择性检测。     

沈阳臭氧污染时空分布特征及变化趋势

以沈阳2013—2015年臭氧(O_3)监测数据为基础,从地域差异及时间变化上分析了沈阳O_3浓度变化特征。结果表明:沈阳城市外围O_3浓度高于城市中心;O_3浓度变化具有明显季节特征,夏季O_3浓度最高,冬季最低;O_3浓度日变化呈单峰分布,谷值出现在06:00,峰值出现在14:00;O_3浓度出现明显"周末效应",周末白天O_3浓度高于工作日O_3浓度,夜间差异不大。     

Development and Testing of 2D Finite Difference Model in Open Channels

This study develops a depth-averaged two-dimensional (2D) numerical model using a finite difference method (FDM) on a staggered grid. The governing equations were solved using the Marker and Cell method that was developed at the Los Alamos laboratories by Harlow and Welch in 1965. In the paper, an explicit FDM was used to solve the governing equations. A first-order approximation was used for the temporal derivative. Second-order central difference approximations were used for space discretization. The time step is limited by the Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy (CFL) condition. The time step used in this study depends on the grid spacing and velocity components in the x- and y-directions. The study is divided into two steps: the first step is to develop a depth-averaged 2D numerical model to simulate the flow process. The second constructs a module to calculate the bed load transport and simulate the river morphology in the areas that have steep slopes, torrents, and mountain rivers. Developed model was applied to the artificial channel and a flood event in the Asungjun River section of the mountainous Yangyang Namdae River (South Korea). General simulation results showed that the developed model was in good agreement with the observed data.     

浅析思茅地区乡镇企业的环境影响

思茅地区乡镇企业的发展迅速，污染物排放剧增，与１９８９年相比，１９９５年的废水，废气和固体废排放量分别增加了４３９．５％、２６．６５％和１６．６２％，给当地环境带带来不利影响。为此，必须集中布局，优化产品，加强领导，加大科技投入，走可持续发展之路。     

分子生物学在渔业环境保护中的运用

分子生物学理论和技术在渔业环境保护与监测工作中的应用越来越得到人们的重视：生物体的多种酶已被用作监测水环境污染的指标；金属硫蛋白等生物体解毒体系在监测和防治水体重金属污染方面发挥显著作用；核酸是生物体遗传信息载体，以核酸质量变化监测水环境污染已取得较好的效果。据此就分子生物学在今后渔业环境保护中的运用提出了观点。