Accumulation and Depuration Kinetics of Rotavirus in Mussels Experimentally Contaminated

Bivalve mollusks as filter-feeders concentrate in their digestive tissue microorganisms likely present in the harvesting water, thus becoming risky food especially if consumed raw or poorly cooked. To eliminate bacteria and viruses eventually accumulated, they must undergo a depuration process which efficacy on viruses is on debate. To better clarify the worth of the depuration process on virus elimination from mussels, in this study we investigated rotavirus kinetics of accumulation and depuration in Mytilus galloprovincialis experimentally contaminated. Depuration process was monitored for 9 days and virus residual presence and infectivity were evaluated by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, cell culture and electron microscopy at days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 of depuration. Variables like presence of ozone and of microalgae feeding were also analyzed as possible depuration enhancers. Results showed a two-phase virus removal kinetic with a high decrease in the first 24 h of depuration and 5 days necessary to completely remove rotavirus.     

基于熵权二维云模型的深基坑施工风险评价

深基坑施工过程中的风险因素具有模糊性与随机性的特点,基于此提出一种熵权二维云模型的风险评价方法。从环境因素、管理因素和施工因素3个方面进行危险源辨识,确定深基坑施工风险评价指标体系,并应用熵权法对评价指标进行加权处理;将风险概率和风险后果作为二维云模型的基础变量,同时提出风险云相近度的计算方法以确定风险等级。应用上述方法对南宁轨道交通3号线青秀山站明挖站厅基坑的施工过程进行了风险评价,得出该施工过程的风险需采取一定控制措施方可接受,与实际情况相符,表明基于熵权二维云模型的风险评价方法合理可行。     

A novel environmental indicator for monitoring of pesticides

The identification of an indicator for monitoring pesticides is a very effective analytical approach because it allows one to schedule and simplify the analytical routine. In this study, a new indicator has been designed, which has to be able to define a scale of priorities in the pesticides monitoring. A starting equation was developed involving the escaping tendency of a given substance from a phase (based on the Mackay model I level). The reliability of the indicator was tested by application to a model system, consisting of a defined and limited area, choosing water as matrix over a period of 6 years. A group of marker compounds was also defined to implement the predictive efficacy of the indicator. The results obtained by modeling were compared to those obtained by experimentation of the same model system. The indicator was subsequently and appropriately modified creating a new equation, including a kinetic factor, which considers the environmental degradation processes. The effect of the rectified indicator was consistent with the sales data list of compounds, when applied to the markers. The indicator developed in this study, tested as a model on specific area-phase-period (Province of Siena, water phase, 2000?C2006), is applicable to any other area-phase-period, adjusting the partition value of the Mackay model for the case under study.     

Quinone profiles of microbial communities in sediments of Haihe River�CBohai Bay as influenced by heavy metals and environmental factors

A total of 11 sediment samples were collected from the sites along Haihe River?CBohai Bay, with site 1 at the beginning of Haihe River and site 11 in Bohai Bay, about 150 km away from site 1. Quinone profiles were used for the analysis of microbial community as influenced by pollutants in water and sediments, such as heavy metals, and other environmental factors. Nineteen species of quinones were found at site 1 while only six species at sites 10 and 11. Both the diversity of quinone species (DQ) and the number of quinones were higher in the sediments from Haihe River and the near-sea area of Bohai Bay than in those from the deep-sea area. The ?? diversity values were significantly higher, while Jaccard indexes of similarity were much lower among non-contiguous pairs of sites as compared with the contiguous ones. Cluster analysis indicated that quinone profiles may be grouped into two main clusters (sites 1?C7 and sites 8?C11), and there were higher similarities within the groups than between groups. Quinone species composition varied at different sites. Ubiquinones such as UQ-8, UQ-9, and UQ-10 and menaquinones such as MK-6, MK-7, MK-8 were isolated from all the sites and accounted for the largest proportions. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that both the number of quinone species and DQ correlated positively with total organic carbon contents in water and sediments, but negatively correlated with salinity and electroconductivity and did not correlate significantly with heavy metal contents in water.     

Recycling of rubble from building demolition for low-shrinkage concretes

In this project concrete mixtures were prepared that were characterized by low ductility due to desiccation by using debris from building demolition, which after a suitable treatment was used as aggregate for partial replacement of natural aggregates. The recycled aggregate used came from a recycling plant, in which rubble from building demolition was selected, crushed, cleaned, sieved, and graded. Such aggregates are known to be more porous as indicated by the Saturated Surface Dry (SSD) moisture content. The recycled concrete used as aggregates were added to the concrete mixture in order to study their influence on the fresh and hardened concrete properties. They were added either after water pre-soaking or in dry condition, in order to evaluate the influence of moisture in aggregates on the performance of concrete containing recycled aggregate. In particular, the effect of internal curing, due to the use of such aggregates, was studied. Concrete behavior due to desiccation under dehydration was studied by means of both drying shrinkage test and German angle test, through which shrinkage under the restrained condition of early age concrete can be evaluated.     

Biological patterns and near-bottom population characteristics of two pasiphaeid decapod crustacean species, Pasiphaea sivado and P. multidentata, in the north-western Mediterranean Sea

Biological aspects of the only two epi-/mesopelagic pasiphaeid species distributed along the continental marginof the north-western Mediterranean Sea were studied over the period 1991-1994. The annual reproductive cycle, reproductive output, sex and size distributions by depth (near-bottom distribution), and growth were analysed using 4156 specimens of Pasiphaea sivado (Risso, 1816) and 5491 specimens of P. multidentata Esmark, 1866. The reproductive cycle in the shallower-dwelling species, P. sivado, was nearly continuous, in contrast to the reproductive cycle in P. multidentata, which was markedly seasonal in nature. Both species exhibited similar size and population structure patterns with depth, with individual size increasing along the bottom depth gradient. The shallower-dwelling species had a significantly higher reproductive output level, in terms of the relative number of eggs, than the deeper-dwelling species. Biological trends for each of the species have been compared. The comparative results for these two congeneric species revealed that the biological parameters analysed were closely linked to their population structure. The slight differences in the depth range inhabited by each species have been considered the main environmental factor affecting the life histories of these two species. The data presented supported the hypothesis that depth exerted an important influence on the biological patterns of deep-water species, with the seasonality of reproductive processes increasing in deeper-dwelling species.     

The ability of biologically based wastewater treatment systems to remove emerging organic contaminants—a review

Biologically based wastewater treatment systems are considered a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to conventional wastewater treatment systems. These systems have been used and studied for the treatment of urban sewage from small communities, and recently, it has been reported that they can also effectively remove emerging organic contaminants (EOCs). EOCs are a new group of unregulated contaminants which include pharmaceutical and personal care products, some pesticides, veterinary products, and industrial compounds among others that are thought to have long-term adverse effects on human health and ecosystems. This review is focused on reporting the ability of biologically based wastewater treatment systems to remove EOCs and the main elimination mechanisms and degradation processes (i.e., biodegradation, photodegradation, phytoremediation, and sorption) taking place in constructed wetlands, ponds, and Daphnia and fungal reactors.     

Persistent pollutants and the patchiness of urban green areas as drivers of genetic richness in the epiphytic moss Leptodon smithii

We determined genetic variation and metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in Leptodon smithii moss collected in holm oak stands at cities, outskirts and remote areas of Campania and Tuscany（Italy） to investigate if anthropogenic pressure（pollutant emissions and land use change） affects moss genetic richness. In both regions, metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations reflected the trend urban 〉 outskirts 〉 remote areas, excepting Tuscany remote site. In both regions,the moss gene diversity increased from urban to remote areas. The findings suggest the extent and the fragmentation of urban green areas, as drivers of moss genetic richness.