Isolation of Thiobacillus sp from aerobic sludge of distillery and dairy effluent treatment plants and its sulfide oxidation activity at different concentrations

In the present study two strains of Thiobacillus sp were isolated from aerobic sludge of distillery and dairy effluent treatment plant using standard methods of isolation and enrichment. Experiments were conducted using isolated cultures in batch bioreactor with initial sulfide concentration of 75 and 150 mg/l. The effect of initial sulfide concentration on the activity of isolated Thiobacillus sp was studied. Sulfide oxidizing capacity was also determined at different initial sulfide concentrations. The results from the study indicate the possible isolation of Thiobacillus cultures from native source and application in the full-scale reactor     

Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of Tephrosia purpurea leaf extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide leading metabolic syndrome, associated with profound alterations in carbohydrate, lipids, lipoproteins and protein metabolisms. Worldwide, traditional practitioners for the treatment of diabetes and its complications use a wide variety of medicinal plants. In the present study the aqueous extract of Tephrosia purpurea leaves (TpALet) was evaluated for its antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Profound alterations in the concentrations of blood glucose, lipids and lipoproteins were observed in diabetic rats. Oral administration of TpALet to diabetic rats at a dose of 600 mg/kg body weight significantly reduced the level of blood glucose and increased the level of plasma insulin as well as normalized the lipids and lipoproteins profile. The present study thus demonstrated that TpALet has prominent antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.     

Fluorosis caused by indoor coal combustion in China: discovery and progress

In this study, investigations into endemic fluorosis were conducted and fluorine concentration in environmental samples determined. In an indoor coal-combustion-type fluorosis area, local clay was used to mix with coal for indoor combustion. There are two key steps in the procedure of the indoor transition of fluorine: indoor wet corns and vegetables strongly absorbed fluorine from indoor air; and fluorine strongly accumulated in clay, which was mixed with coal for combustion. Therefore, with the increasing of the percentage of clay in the clay-mixed coal as well as corn in foodstuff, the ratio of fluorosis will be increased.     

Petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in eight mollusc species along Tamilnadu coast, Bay of Bengal, India

Eight mollusc species and sediment samples collected from three different stations along Tamilnadu coast, Bay of Bengal, India were analysed for the levels of petroleum hydrocarbons to elucidate the status of the petroleum residues in mollusc meant for human consumption. The concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments along Tamilnadu coast varied from 5.04–25.5 g/g dw (dry weight). High concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in the sediment of Uppanar estuary (25.5 1.45 g/g dw) was perhaps land and marine based anthropogenic sources of this region. The petroleum hydrocarbon residues in eight mollusc species collected from Uppanar, Vellar and Coleroon estuaries varied between 2.44–6.04 g/g ww (wet weight). Although the concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in sediment of the Uppanar region was markedly higher than the background, the petroleum hydrocarbon residues in mollusc collected from Uppanar estuary did not suggest bioaccumulation. The results signified that industrial growth has affected the aquatic environments and regular monitoring will help to adopt stringent pollution control measures for better management of the aquatic region.     

基于生物膜法磷回收工艺厌氧释磷研究

城市污水经过碳回收后的低碳源进水水质将对活性污泥法强化除磷（EBPR）工艺的运行带来困难.本研究基于生物膜法磷回收的序批式反应器（Biofilm-SBR）对低碳、低磷进水进行磷回收,在BSBR反应器好氧无碳源、厌氧低碳源投加的运行基础上,研究了该工艺在低碳模式下厌氧磷释放的关键影响因素.同时,研究了不同的碳源浓度和碳源投加方式对BSBR工艺释磷的影响.最后,分析了系统中生物膜蓄磷量的变化,并探究其与碳源消耗、释磷效果的量化关系.结果表明,该系统在好氧无碳源、厌氧仅200 mg·L^-1的碳源投加下,即可取得115 mg·L^-1（可溶性磷）的富磷回收液.系统的C_upt/P_rel（释放单位质量磷的COD消耗量）平均为（11.12±1.03）mg·mg^-1,最大蓄磷量为124 mg·g^-1.     

封闭景观水体的表观污染机制研究

良好的表观性状是城市水体发挥景观功能的基本条件,现今封闭景观水体的表观受污染严重。以景观园林师陶园内的封闭水体为研究对象,进行为期半年的现场观察和水质监测,运用吸收光谱法研究了水体表观污染的历程,并进行了表观污染指数(SPI)及环境因子间的相关性分析以了解表观污染机制。研究发现,封闭水体的表观污染程度随季节变化明显,SPI与温度(T)、浊度、腐殖酸(UV254)、叶绿素a(Chl-a)均显著正相关,与溶解氧(DO)显著负相关,相关系数分别为0.786、0.951、0.595、0.849、-0.699。结果表明,植物残体的腐烂分解以及浮萍和藻类的竞争性生长会导致水体颜色和浊度异常,甚至出现发黑发臭的严重表观污染现象。     

Trees as bioindicator of heavy metal pollution in three European cities

Concentrations of four heavy metals were determined in tree leaves and bark collected from polluted and non-polluted areas of three European cities (Salzburg, Belgrade and Thessaloniki) for a comparative study. Platanus orientalis L. and Pinus nigra Arn., widespread in urban northern and southern Europe, were tested for their suitability for air quality biomonitoring. Leaves and barks were collected uniformly of an initial quantity of about 30 g of each sample. Analysis was accomplished by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after total digestion. Site-dependent variations were found with the highest concentration level measured in Belgrade, followed by Thessaloniki and Salzburg. A higher accumulation of heavy metals was found in bark compared to leaves. Pine tree bark, accumulating higher concentrations of trace metals compared to plane tree bark, shows a higher efficiency as bioindicator for urban pollution. Both indicator species are suitable for comparative studies on bioindication of urban air pollution.     

Xenoestrogens in the River Elbe and its tributaries

4-Alkylphenols, 4-alkylphenol ethoxylates, 4-alkylphenoxy carboxylates, bisphenol A, bisphenol F, 4-hydroxyacetophenon, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and steroid hormones were analyzed in water samples of the River Elbe and its tributaries Schwarze Elster, Mulde, Saale, Havel and Schwinge. Additionally, freshly deposited sediments (FDS, composite samples) of the River Elbe and its tributaries were analyzed. The concentrations in water samples ranged from (in ng/l): bisphenol A 4 to 92, branched nonylphenol 13 to 87, branched nonylphenol ethoxylates <0.5 to 120, 4-tert. nonylphenoxy carboxylates <10 to 940 and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid 4 to 12. Steroid hormones were only detected in the Czech tributaries Jizera and Vltava in concentrations near the limit of quantification. In FDS samples the concentrations amounted to (in g/kg d.w.): bisphenol A 10-380, branched nonylphenol 27-430, branched nonylphenol ethoxylates 24-3700, nonylphenoxy carboxylates <50 and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid 23-4400. Increased bisphenol A concentrations were found in water and FDS samples taken from the Czech-German border at Schmilka and the mouth of the Schwinge (only water sample). According to studies conducted in the Elbe Estuary and the German Bight, the River Elbe must be considered as a major source of pollution for the North Sea in respect of the compounds analyzed. A comparison of bisphenol A concentrations, 4-alkylphenols and the corresponding ethoxylates analyzed in the River Elbe and its tributaries with those found in other German surface waters indicated a low level of contamination. The evaluation of the data based on LOEC-values indicated that the concentrations were well below the effectivity threshold for some 4-alkylphenols. According to recent ecotoxicological investigations, for example, with prosobranch snails, bisphenol A concentrations found in water samples of the River Elbe and its tributaries may well be detrimental to aquatic organisms. On the basis of the monitoring data and its implications for estrogenic potency the inclusion of bisphenol A in the list of priority substances (European Union Directive 2000/60/EC, Annex X) should be considered.     

Distribution of fission products in dust samples from the region of Thessaloniki, Greece, after the Chernobyl nuclear accident

The distribution of the fission products (95)Zr, (95)Nb, (103)Ru, (106)Ru (determined through (106)Rh), (125)Sb, (129m)Te, (134)Cs, (137)Cs, (140)Ba, (140)La, (141)Ce and (144)Ce has been determined in dust samples from the region of Thessaloniki, Greece, after the nuclear accident at Chernobyl. The samples studied also included (110m)Ag, not belonging to the products of (235)U fission. Samples showing higher concentrations of radionuclides also show a higher content in clay minerals, whereas samples having low concentrations of radionuclides usually contain large amounts of quartz and feldspars. Desorption and leaching experiments using solutions of chlorides of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium (0.5 N), as well as distilled and tap water, were also performed. Sodium and potassium chloride solutions were found to be efficient in desorbing and/or leaching of caesium and ruthenium isotopes to an extent of about 30%.     

Comparative effects of mine wastes on the benthos of an acid and an alkaline pond

Benthic invertebrates collected from an acid (pH 3.2) and an alkaline (pH 7.9) tailing pond in the Rouyn-Noranda mining region were compared with those of a control pond in order to assess the effects of the pH on the benthic community structure and on metal accumulation by invertebrates. The acid pond showed high mean soluble concentrations of aluminium (2600 ppb), copper (230 ppb), iron (6500 ppb) and zinc (4900 ppb) in the water and high mean concentrations of copper (340 ppm), iron (15,238 ppm) and zinc (445 ppm) in the sediments. The benthic fauna was dominated by Chironomus spp and the water beetle Ilybius sp. The Shannon-Weaver diversity index was 0.04. The alkaline pond had high mean sediment concentrations of cadmium (21 ppm), iron (15,823 ppm), manganese (658 ppm) and nickel (146 ppm). A total of 37 insect genera and a diversity index of 3.4 were recorded for this pond. Of the seven metals studied only copper and aluminium showed greater accumulations in the biota of the contaminated ponds than in that of the control. Insects dominated the benthic fauna in both contaminated ponds and crustacea in the control.