Spatial distribution of 3H, 90Sr, 137Cs and (239,240)Pu in surface waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans--GLOMARD database

The data stored in the IAEA's Global Marine Radioactivity Database (GLOMARD) developed in the framework of the IAEA's project "Worldwide Marine Radioactivity Studies (WOMARS)" have been evaluated for Pacific and Indian Ocean surface waters. Four anthropogenic radionuclides-- 3H, 90Sr, 137Cs and (239,240)Pu --have been chosen as the most representative of anthropogenic radioactivity in the marine environment, comprising beta, gamma and alpha-emitters which are the most frequently analysed in the marine environment and which have (with the exception of tritium) the highest potential contribution to radiation doses to humans via seafood consumption. For the purposes of this study, the Pacific and Indian Oceans were divided into latitudinal boxes for which average radionuclide concentrations were estimated for the year 2000. The highest concentrations have been observed in the Japan Sea/East Sea and the North-West Pacific Ocean, the lowest in the Southern Ocean.     

Environmental impact assessment on production and material supply stages of lithium-ion batteries with increasing demands for electric vehicles

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have been expected to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other...     

Feasible conditions for Japanese woody biomass utilization

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - There is an abundance of woody biomass in Japan. However, its economic feasibility is limited. There have been several discussions on whether...     

Differences of two polychaete species reflected in enzyme activities

Polychaetes constitute most of the benthic macroinvertebrates in estuarine and coastal environments. We investigated the utilization of organic matter in two polychaete species, Capitella sp. I and Perinereis nuntia brevicirris, living in different coastal habitats. The protease activity of Capitella sp. I (89.7 μg mg⁻¹) was about 10 times that of P. nuntia brevicirris (8.0 μg mg⁻¹). High cellulase (endo-β-1,4-glucanase) activity was detected in P. nuntia brevicirris (3.2 μg mg⁻¹), whereas scarcely any was detected in Capitella sp. I. We isolated cDNA clones of protease mRNA from Capitella sp. I and of cellulase mRNA from P. nuntia brevicirris. The high protease activity of Capitella sp. I enabled it to survive in the sediment under a fish farm, where it degrades organic matter. In contrast, the high cellulase activity of the estuary-dwelling P. nuntia brevicirris allowed it to degrade organic matter originating from terrestrial areas.     

Radiographic and genetic diagnosis of sporadic hypochondroplasia early in the neonatal period

Hypochondroplasia is an autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia expressing postnatal onset of short stature with mild rhizomelic shortening of the limbs. This manifestation leads to restricted prenatal diagnosis of the disorder. We report here on a sporadic case of a hypochondroplastic baby, whose prenatal sonographic measurements were serially recorded from 19 weeks of gestation. Mild shortening of the limbs became manifest after 26 weeks of gestation. Biparietal diameter was within the normal range throughout gestation. Both parents were of average stature. A tentative diagnosis of a nonlethal short-limb skeletal dysplasia was made. At birth, the clinical manifestations of the neonate were not characteristic, but the radiographic features raised the possibility of hypochondroplasia. Molecular analyses revealed a C to G mutation at nucleotide 1659 of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene, a common mutation in hypochondroplasia. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Distribution of tetrodotoxin in various organs of the starfish Astropecten polyacanthus

Tissues of various organs of the starfish Astropecten polyacanthus collected in the Hiroshima Prefecture from April 1985 to June 1986 were analyzed for lethal potency by the assay method for tetrodotoxin. The ovary showed the highest potency (47 to 1 450 MU g^-1), followed by the digestive organs (<10 to 960 MU g^-1) and the exoskeleton including spines and tube-feet (<10 to 170 MU g^-1). The pyloric caecum and testis were less toxic. Overall toxicity was remarkably higher in females (2 060±382 MU, mean±SE) than in males (1 106±214 MU).     

苏州河底泥3种内分泌干扰物的空间分布及环境风险

应用气相色谱质谱联用方法对苏州河及其支流底泥中3种环境内分泌干扰物壬基酚(NP)、辛基酚(4-t-OP)和双酚A(BPA)的含量进行检测和调查,结果表明,这3种物质在河流底泥中的浓度变幅分别为<1.0～5 800、<0.10～39和0.90～180μg.kg-1,空间分异显著.总体上看,底泥污染物浓度与河流周边人为活动密集程度有关:在苏州河上海市区段底泥的含量显著地高于上海远郊和江苏省内河段底泥含量;苏州河支流底泥中的含量显著高于苏州河干流底泥含量.苏州河及其支流底泥中这3种内分泌干扰物两两之间,存在显著正相关,说明其有相似的物源.以含量较高的壬基酚为例,进行底泥环境内分泌干扰物的风险评估,结果表明,除苏州河江苏省内吴家港桥段外,其它河段均存在潜在的生态毒害风险,需采取相应的防范措施.     

Investigation of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic and sulfonic acids in leachates from industrial and municipal solid waste landfills,and their treated waters and effluents from their closest leachate treatment plants

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are used in products, such as aqueous film-forming foam and fluorochemical surfactants, because of...     

Genetic structure of rhinoceros auklets,Cerorhinca monocerata,breeding in British Columbia,Alaska, and Japan

Data from eight microsatellite markers screened in 246 rhinoceros auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata) from across the North Pacific revealed multiple genetic groups. The east (North America) to west (Japan) split was clearly evident in all analyses. Within the eastern Pacific, a minimum of three genetic groups are present. Surprisingly, rhinoceros auklets from Triangle Island, British Columbia, were genetically isolated from other nearby populations, including the breeding colony on Pine Island (~100 km to the east). A fourth genetic cluster (Chowiet Is) was detected using principal coordinate’s analysis; however, sample sizes were limited. Patterns of differentiation correspond to nonbreeding distributions with the eastern and western Pacific birds spending time off the west coast of North America and Japan, respectively, and may represent historical isolation in separate refugia during the Pleistocene glaciations. The patterns of genetic structure result from a combination of historical and contemporary factors influencing dispersal of rhinoceros auklets.     

Catalytic properties of cyclodextrins on the hydrolysis of parathion and paraoxon in aquatic medium containing humic acids

The inclusion catalysis effects of -,β- and γ-cyclodextrins(CyDs) on the hydrolysis rate of parathion, methyl parathion and paraoxon were investigated at 25°C in alkaline buffer solution(pH=8.5) containing humic acids. The hydrolysis rate of these pesticides was increased by the presence of humic acids. The inclusion catalysis of β-CyD inhibited parathion hydrolysis but promoted paraoxon hydrolysis. The CyD inclusion catalysis showed characteristic correlation with relative magnitudes of the inclusion-depth parameters of the pesticides which could be determined by the rotational-strength analysis of the induced circular dichroism. The essential properties of the CyD inclusion catalysis were explained in terms of the geometries of the CyD-pesticide inclusion complexes which determine degree of the proximity between the pesticide reaction site and the CyD catalytic site.