Mutagenic properties of PM2.5 air pollution in the Padana Plain (Italy) before and in the course of XX Winter Olympic Games of "Torino 2006"

PM2.5 is one of the most important aspects of environmental health. This air pollutant is breathable and it is implicated in several chronic adverse health effects such as the decrease of respiratory functionality and cancer. Several in vitro bioassays are able to predict the mutagenic/carcinogenic activity of the environmental pollutants and mixtures of them. In this study PM2.5 air pollution was daily monitored in three cities located in the Northern part of Italy and the mutagenic properties of the PM2.5 organic extracts were also assessed. Samplings lasted 14 months and cover the period of the Winter Olympic Games of "Torino 2006". In this work, the levels of PM2.5, its mutagenic properties (detected with Salmonella typhimurium assay), the role of the Olympic Games as environmental factor and some meteorological data are discussed. The mean concentration of PM2.5 measured in Torino was 45.4 (+/-30.6) microg/m(3), in Pavia 37.6 (+/-25.6) microg/m(3), in Verona 43.1 (+/-28.5) microg/m(3). Findings of the monthly pool bioassay were in Torino 107 (+/-104) net revertans/m(3), in Pavia 108 (+/-89) net revertans/m(3), in Verona 128 (+/-109) net revertans/m(3). The Olympic Games period data show that PM2.5 pollution and its load of mutagenic potential are different and partially independent phenomena. The Olympic Games had not a great impact on the PM2.5 pollution. The exclusive PM2.5 gravimetric analysis shows a potential human risk if compared with the latest international guide values but it does not describe exhaustively the human health risk associated to the presence of this particular air pollutant. Moreover, the chemical and biological activity qualification of the PM organic extracts as a whole, can instead improve the knowledge.     

Immediate biomarker responses to benzo[a]pyrene in polluted and unpolluted populations of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) at high-latitudes

Immediate biomarker responses of two high-latitude populations of the blue mussel Mytilus edulis to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) were evaluated. Mussels collected from a clean and a polluted site in southwest Iceland were exposed to the nominal dose of 100 microg B[a]P L(-l) for 3 h, after 4 days of acclimatization in clean seawater. To test the sensitivity to the toxicant and immediate biological responses, the following biomarkers were used: DNA single strand breaks, heart rate and feeding rate. All the biomarkers revealed differences between the study sites. Irrespective of the origin of the organisms, the short time exposure to the high B[a]P concentration did not induce DNA single strand breaks or significantly affect the feeding rate. However, the heart rate results showed significantly different responses. The mussels from the polluted site (Reykjavík harbour) increased their heart rate when exposed to B[a]P, while no difference was observed between the heart rate values of the individuals from the clean site (Hvassahraun). The mussels seem to sense the pollutant they have been previously exposed to, and their acute response indicates physiological adaptation to the polluted environment. The results indicate limited sensitivity and temporal predictivity, i.e. transient measurable changes of these biomarkers, as well as showing that the background of the organisms should be considered when evaluating short-term biomarker responses to contaminants.     

Oxygen bioavailability and haemoglobins in the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana

Bioavailability of oxygen for the saline-water invertebrate Artemia franciscana was studied, since both oxygen concentration and oxygen diffusion rate change with salinity. Total haemoglobin concentration and the relative contribution of each of three haemoglobins was measured in specimens acclimated to different salinities and oxygen concentrations. Both haemoglobin concentration and contribution were influenced by salinity and the group observed (males, females with and females without eggs). Multiple regression analysis showed that total haemoglobin concentration was better correlated with oxygen concentration than oxygen partial pressure. The relative proportions of haemoglobins 1, 2 and 3 were better correlated with oxygen partial pressure than oxygen concentration. These results are related to the oxygen carrying capacity and oxygen affinity of the haemolymph. Our results show that oxygen bioavailability in a saline-water environment depends on the response (relative contribution of Hb1, Hb2 and Hb3 or total haemoglobin concentration) that is studied. They also show that oxygen concentration and oxygen partial pressure have a different physiological impact on brine shrimp.     

Isolated bacteriocyte cell suspensions from the hydrothermal-vent tubeworm Riftia pachyptila,a potent tool for cellular physiology in a chemoautotrophic symbiosis

The hydrothermal-vent tubeworm Riftia pachyptila relies entirely on its intracellular chemoautotrophic symbionts to sustain its metabolism. The host must therefore provide them with inorganic metabolites, including carbon. This study describes a tool for studying cell processes occurring in a bacteria-containing cell by the dissociation of trophosome cell types. The physiological assays performed on cell preparations focused on carbon dioxide conversion and transport processes. Trophosome tissue was mechanically dissociated, resulting in cell suspensions enriched in small (7-20 µm) bacteriocytes, which were viable for several hours. In addition, medium-term cell cultures were also attempted. As a start to the understanding of the CO₂ metabolism of these cells, we were interested in evidence of carbonic anhydrase (CA) isoforms, ATPases and chloride exchangers. Variations in intracellular and extracellular pH, and in intracellular concentrations of sodium, potassium and chloride, were followed after addition of selective inhibitors. The data presented here suggest the occurrence of potential cytosolic and membrane-associated carbonic anhydrase isoforms in the bacteriocytes, proton-driven sodium-ATPases and a well represented anion transporter exchanging intracellular chloride against extracellular anions.     

Predicting the economic impact of an invasive species on an ecosystem service.

Quantifying the impact of alien invasive species on ecosystem services is an essential step in developing effective practices and policy for invasive species management. Here we develop a stochastic bioeconomic model that enables the economic impact of an invasive pest to be estimated before its arrival, based on relatively poorly specified ecological and economic parameters. We developed the model by using a hypothetical invasion of the varroa bee mite (Varroa destructor) into Australia and the negative flow-on effects that it would have on pollination by reducing honey bee populations, giving rise to a loss of pollination services, reduced crop yields, and additional production costs. If the mite were to continue to be prevented from entering the country over the next 30 years, we estimate that the economic costs avoided would be U.S. $16.4-38.8 million (Aus $21.3-50.5 million) per year. We suggest that current invasion response funding arrangements in Australia, which do not acknowledge these avoided damages, require amendment.     

Degradation of carbendazim by UV/H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> investigated by kinetic modelling

The transformation of the fungicide carbendazim (methyl-2 benzimidazole carbamate) induced by hydroxyl radical generated by the UV photolysis of H₂O₂ has been studied in dilute aqueous solution. The efficient reaction of hydroxyl radicals with carbendazim led to the rapid degradation of carbendazim. The study of reaction kinetics yielded a second order rate constant of 2.2±0.3 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for HO^· radicals with carbendazim. This value is in agreement with a high reactivity of HO^· radicals with carbendazim. Most degradation products were identified by high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). In the presence of hydrogenocarbonate and carbonate ions, hydroxyl radicals were quenched and in turn carbonate radicals CO₃ ^·− were formed. Carbonate radicals are indeed known to react efficiently with compounds containing electron-rich sites such as nitrogen or sulfur atoms. The use of a kinetic modelling software gave evidence for the occurrence of such reactions with carbendazim. The second order rate constant of carbonate radical with carbendazim was equal to 6±2 10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. Electronic Publication     

Analysis of the velocity field in a large rectangular channel with lateral shockwave

In this work the authors describe the main characteristics of the velocity field of hydraulic jumps in a very large channel where lateral shockwaves occur. Experiments were carried out at the Coastal Engineering Laboratory of the Water Engineering and Chemistry Department of the Technical University of Bari (Italy). Extensive flow velocity measurements were investigated in order to have a clearer understanding of both hydraulic jump development and lateral shockwave formation in a very large channel. Eight experiments were performed in a 4m wide rectangular channel; the experiments differed in the inlet Froude number F ₀ and the jump type. Seven tests were carried out with undular jumps and one with a roller jump. The flow velocity and the flow free surface measurements were taken using a two-dimensional Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) and an ultrasonic profiler, respectively. The experimental results can be summarized as follow: (i) the formation of well developed lateral shockwaves similar to those of oblique jumps were observed; (ii) the comparison of the experimental and theoretical data shows that the classic shockwave theory is sufficiently confirmed in the analyzed range of Reynolds number, taking into account the experimental errors and the difference between the theoretical and experimental assumptions; (iii) the transversal flow velocity profiles in the recirculating zone show a good agreement with the numerical simulations presented in literature in the case of a separated turbulent boundary layer over a flat plate. This conclusion enables us to confirm the hypothesis that the lateral shockwaves in the channel are the result of a boundary layer which, as observed, forms on the channel sidewalls.     

Processus advectifs et répartition du zooplancton dans un fjord

In order to study the influence of advective processes on the zooplankton distribution in a shallow sill-fjord, we examined the temporal variations (tidal and seasonal) of currents, density, abundance and composition of zooplankton in the Saguenay fjord, Québec, Canada, in August 1978 and October 1979. Our results demonstrate the existence of a regular exchange of water (every tidal cycle) between the St. Lawrence estuary and the two outer basins of the Saguenay fjord which is characterized by an important transport of mesoplankton from the estuary into the deep waters of the Saguenay during the rising tide and from the surface waters of the Saguenay to those of the estuary during falling tide. Variations of abundance and composition of zooplankton in the outer basin are therefore mainly controlled by advective processes. The plankton community of the downstream region of the fjord is strongly influenced by variations of abundance and composition taking place in the estuary, and the establishment and development of local populations of zooplankton are made difficult. In the upstream region of the fjord, the advective processes are less intense and endogeneous mesoplankton populations thrive under local temperature conditions.     

Studies on the biology of young grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) digestion

The effect of body size and salinity on the rate of digestion of young grey mullet, Mugil cephalus L., was studied using the sacrifice method. The rate of digestion was found to be salinity-dependent, being slower at lower salinities than at higher salinities. This is correlated to higher food intake at the lower salinities. Rate of digestion was also found to be dependent on body size, increasing with increasing body weight.     

Fe—C微电解法＋H2O2组合工艺处理对氯硝基苯废水

利用废铁屑对对氯硝基苯废水进行预处理 ,可以使废水中的对氯硝基苯转化为氨基氯苯 ,然后在废水中加入H2 O2 ,使H2 O2 与废水中的Fe2 + 构成Fenton试剂 ,反应生产OH·自由基 ,OH·自由基具有强烈的氧化性 ,将氨基氯苯和对氯硝基苯中的苯环打开 ,形成断链 ,再进一步将其矿化分解