Age effect on the antioxidant activity of Daphnia magna (Anomopoda: Daphniidae): does younger mean more sensitivity?

It has been accepted that for most species newborns and senescent organisms are more sensitive than other ages to environmental stressors. Nevertheless, it must be considered that there are several biochemical and physiological compensatory processes which are not expressed with the same magnitude during the whole life cycle. With this aim, Daphnia magna individuals of different age were exposed to hexavalent chromium, Cr (VI), at two different sublethal concentrations (0.032 and 0.0064 mg l(-1)), and the activity of some antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were evaluated during most of the life cycle of this cladoceran. The antioxidant enzymatic activity showed an inverse relationship with respect to age. The activity of CAT, GR and GPx were increased in the two treated groups, at all life stages tested. On the other hand, the activity of SOD decreased in the same groups. Both, increase and decrease in the antioxidant enzymatic activities, showed significant differences with respect to the control group, being higher for the 0.032 mg l(-1) group. The Cr (VI) LC50 was also estimated for these age groups, finding statistical differences among them. Even though adults exhibited higher responses, these enzymatic activity changes should not be interpreted as higher sensitivity, since the daphnids acute chromium toxicity followed a different pattern, with increasing LC50 values according to age.     

Biological impacts of ocean acidification: a postgraduate perspective on research priorities

Research into the effects of ocean acidification (OA) on marine organisms has greatly increased during the past decade, as realization of the potential dramatic impacts has grown. Studies have revealed the multifarious responses of organisms to OA conditions, indicating a high level of intra- and interspecific variation in species’ ability to accommodate these alterations. If we are to provide policy makers with sound, scientific input regarding the expected consequences of OA, we need a broader understanding of these predicted changes. As a group of 20 multi-disciplinary postgraduate students from around the globe, with a study focus on OA, we are a strong representation of ‘next generation’ scientists in this field. In this unique cumulative paper, we review knowledge gaps in terms of assessing the biological impacts of OA, outlining directions for future research.     

Temporal patterns of settlement, recruitment and post-settlement losses in a rocky reef fish assemblage in the South-Western Mediterranean Sea

Post-settlement events can significantly alter the density distribution of settlers and subsequently the adult population structure. The temporal and inter-annual variability of settlement and the effects of mortality on recruitment were investigated across 2 years in the vicinities of Cabo de Palos–Islas Hormigas Marine Reserve by visual census and light trap sampling. Settlement was seasonal with greater species richness and abundance in summer. Although temporal synchronization was observed between larval supply and settlement, densities of settlers could not be predicted from post-larval abundances. Timing of settlement was consistent between years but with high inter-annual variation in abundance. High mortality (~80 %) and general decoupling between post-larval and settlement stages suggest that early mortality is driving such patterns. Nevertheless, indications of habitat-mediated mortality were found for benthic species such as Symphodus and Diplodus, highlighting the importance of habitat in shaping population demography.     

Project tocoen. The fate of selected organic pollutants in the environment—iv. soil,earthworms and vegetation 1988

The samples of soils, earthworms and vegetation (needles, lichens, mosses) were collected for the realization of Project TOCOEN (Toxic Organic Compounds in the ENvironment). The samples were collected from three TOCOEN model areas in Czechoslovakia—one city and two rural areas. The samples were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorinated pesticides (C1‐PEST) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).     

Singlet molecular oxygen—mediated photooxidation of monochloro and mononitrophenols. A kinetic study

A kinetic and mechanistic study on the aerobic dye sensitized photooxidation of the mono—nitro and chlorophenols was carried out. A singlet molecular oxygen mechanism operates in the photooxidation. Solvent and substituent effects, suggest the intermediacy of a complex with partial charge transfer character, as has been postulated for other phenols.

Chemical (reactive) and physical interactions of the substrates with singlet molecular oxygen were discriminated. Quantum yields for photooxidation (higher for the chlorophenols) range from 3 × 10^‐2 to 2 × 10^‐3, as measured by substrate or oxygen consumption. These values indicate the viability of a singlet molecular oxygen photooxidation as a way for the degradation of nitro and chlorophenol environmental contaminants.     

江西钨矿周边土壤重金属生态风险评价:不同评价方法的比较

对江西省大余县某钨矿区周边的农田土壤进行调查分析,并采用不同的方法对土壤进行评价,结果表明,土壤As、Pb、Zn、Cu和Ni的含量范围分别为15.33—154.65 mg·kg-1、156.29—346.98 mg·kg-1、47.73—277.72 mg·kg-1、19.06—210.24 mg·kg-1和12.00—35.11 mg·kg-1,一些土壤样点的As、Pb、Zn和Cu含量已超过国家土壤环境质量二级标准.利用地累积指数法对土壤进行评价,结果表明土壤均受到As、Pb、Zn、Cu和Ni不同程度的污染;根据CPI(综合污染指数)评价标准,65.7%的土壤处于污染状态;利用TCLP法对土壤生态风险进行评价,结果显示所有土壤并未受到重金属的污染,以内梅罗综合污染指数法对土壤进行综合评价,结果表明该农田土壤重金属生态风险处于安全范围;以潜在生态危害指数法评价,发现Pb、As和Cu达到或超过中等生态风险的样点分别占37.14%、25.72%和2.86%,其他重金属污染风险均属轻微以下.不同评价方法得出的评价结果有差异,人们在评价重金属污染土壤时要根据评价的目的慎重选择合适的评价方法.     

Heavy Metals in Macroalgae of Havana's Northern Littoral,Cuba

Copper, iron, lead, manganese, and zinc contents were determined in various phyla of macroalgae typical of the rocky mesolittoral zone of Cuba and widely distributed in the Caribbean Region. the samples were collected in different zones along the shores of Havana City which are more or less influenced by anthropogenic activities. Differences in metal contents were observed due to seasonal variations and differences between sampling sites. of the analyzed species, only one brown alga, Padina vickersiae is considered as a suitable candidate for the monitoring of metal contamination.     

Toxic elements leaching in different soils affected by the spill from the aznalcollar pyrite mine (Sevilla,Spain)

A study has been made of the leaching of Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu, Tl and As in three representative soils of the zone affected by the spill from a pyrite mine in Aznalcollar (Sevilla, Spain) employing packed soil columns. According to the breakthrough and cumulative leaching curves, the relative mobilities of the different toxic elements in the columns are as follows: Tl > Cd > Zn > As > Cu > Pb. The results also show that the soils themselves have a good capacity for immobilizing the soluble fraction of the elements from the spilled mud, this capacity varying as follows: clayey soil with a high carbonate content > clayey soil with a moderate carbonate content > sandy‐clay loam soil with a low carbonate content. The results obtained in the work are a valuable contribution to the necessary assessment of the impact of the toxic spill on underground waters.     

基于我国物种毒性数据的多溴联苯醚预测无效应浓度分析

采用多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)对我国广泛分布生物物种的生态毒性数据,根据欧盟现有化学物质风险评价技术指导文件,对不同环境介质中PBDEs预测无效应浓度(PNEC)进行了推导。结果表明:我国淡水环境PBDEs(四溴、五溴、八溴)的PNEC水分别为50μg·L~(-1)、0.53μg·L~(-1)、0.017μg·L~(-1)。沉积物环境PBDEs(四溴、五溴、八溴和十溴)的PNEC沉积物分别为823.35 mg·kg~(-1)wt、1.55 mg·kg~(-1)dw、12.72 mg·kg~(-1)dw、38.41 mg·kg~(-1)dw。土壤环境PBDEs(四溴、五溴、八溴和十溴)的PNEC土壤分别为668.3mg·kg~(-1)wt、0.38 mg·kg~(-1)dw、147 mg·kg~(-1)dw、98 mg·kg~(-1)dw。次生毒性PBDEs(五溴、八溴和十溴)的PNEC经口分别为0.3~0.7 mg·kg~(-1)、0.56 mg·kg~(-1)、2 500 mg·kg~(-1)。该数值期为我国PBDEs的环境风险评价提供科学基础。     

云南山区野生牛肝菌中重金属汞和镉来源分析及食用安全评估

分析重金属在"环境-牛肝菌-人体"系统中的迁移、富集规律,为牛肝菌重金属污染防治及食用安全评价提供依据。采用ICP-AES法测定云南野生牛肝菌及其生长土壤中Cd和Hg含量,分析牛肝菌对重金属的富集特征及牛肝菌的重金属含量与土壤的联系,推测云南野生牛肝菌中重金属Cd和Hg的来源;根据FAO/WHO规定的每周Cd或Hg的允许摄入量(provisional tolerable weekly intake,PTWI)评估牛肝菌的重金属暴露风险。结果显示,(1)不同种类、产地牛肝菌中Hg和Cd含量具有差异,菌盖中Hg、Cd的含量分别在0.92~16.00 mg·kg~(-1)dw,4.97~24.07 mg·kg~(-1)dw之间,菌柄的Hg、Cd含量分别介于0.46~8.2mg·kg~(-1)dw和2.11~22.08 mg·kg~(-1)dw之间。同一种牛肝菌菌盖中Hg或Cd的含量均高于菌柄(Q(C/S)1),表明牛肝菌菌盖对Hg和Cd的富集能力强于菌柄。(2)牛肝菌菌盖和菌柄对Hg的富集系数(bioaccumulation factor,BCF)分别在1.72~19.12和1.30~6.40之间,菌盖、菌柄的Hg含量均高于相应生长土壤的含量,其中采自楚雄永仁县的铜色牛肝菌菌盖的Hg含量是土壤的19.12倍,表明牛肝菌中的Hg不仅来自土壤,根据山地"Hg诱捕效应"及云南大气Hg升高的相关报道,可以推测云南野生牛肝菌中的Hg主要来源于大气沉降。(3)牛肝菌菌盖、菌柄对Cd的富集系数分别在0.16~1.82和0.07~1.67之间,多数牛肝菌的Cd含量低于土壤含量,表明牛肝菌中的Cd主要来自生长土壤。(4)假设成年人(60 kg)毎周食用300 g新鲜牛肝菌则多数牛肝菌菌盖、菌柄的Hg摄入量低于PTWI(Hg)标准,Hg的暴露风险较低(假设未通过其他途径摄入Hg);食用300 g黑粉孢牛肝菌菌盖或菌柄摄入的Cd达到0.722 mg和0.662 mg,超过PTWI(Cd)标准,食用有Cd暴露风险。