Primary neuronal-astrocytic co-culture platform for neurotoxicity assessment of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Plastics such as polyvinyl chlorides （PVC） are widely used in many indoor constructed environments; however, their unbound chemicals, such as di-（2-ethylhexyl） phthalates （DEHP）, can leach into the surrounding environment. This study focused on DEHP＇s effect on the central nervous system by determining the precise DEHP content in mice brain tissue after exposure to the chemical, to evaluate the specific exposure range. Primary neuronal-astrocyte co-culture systems were used as in vitro models for chemical hazard identification of DEHP. Oxidative stress was hypothesized as a probable mechanism involved, and therefore the total reactive oxygen species （ROS） concentration was determined as a biomarker of oxidative stress. In addition, NeuriteTracer, a neurite tracing plugin with ImageJ, was used to develop an assay for neurotoxicity to provide quantitative measurements of neurological parameters, such as neuronal number, neuron count and neurite length, all of which could indicate neurotoxic effects. The results showed that with 1 nmol/L DEHP exposure, there was a significant increase in ROS concentrations, indicating that the neuronal-astrocyte cultures were injured due to exposure to DEHP. In response, astrocyte proliferation （gliosis） was initiated, serving as a mechanism to maintain a homeostatic environment for neurons and protect neurons from toxic chemicals. There is a need to assess the cumulative effects of DEHP in animals to evaluate the possible uotake and effects on the human neuronal system from exoosure to DEHP in the indoor environment.     

Evaluation of soil washing process with carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin and carboxymethyl chitosan for recovery of PAHs/heavy metals/fluorine from metallurgic plant site

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)/heavy metals/fluorine(F) mixed-contaminated sites caused by abandoned metallurgic plants are receiving wide attention. To address the associated environmental problems,this study was initiated to investigate the feasibility of using carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin(CMCD) and carboxymethyl chitosan(CMC) solution to enhance ex situ soil washing for extracting mixed contaminants. Further,Tenax extraction method was combined with a first-three-compartment model to evaluate the environmental risk of residual PAHs in washed soil. In addition,the redistribution of heavy metals/F after decontamination was also estimated using a sequential extraction procedure. Three successive washing cycles using50 g/L CMCD and 5 g/L CMC solution were effective to remove 94.3% of total PAHs,93.2% of Pb,85.8% of Cd,93.4% of Cr,83.2% of Ni and 97.3% of F simultaneously. After the 3rd washing,the residual PAHs mainly existed as very slowly desorbing fractions,which were in the form of well-aged,well-sequestered compounds; while the remaining Pb,Cd,Cr,Ni and F mainly existed as Fe–Mn oxide and residual fractions,which were always present in stable mineral forms or bound to non-labile soil fractions. Therefore,this combined cleanup strategy proved to be effective and environmentally friendly.     

Characterization of extracellular polymeric substances in the biofilms of typical bacteria by the sulfur K-edge XANES spectroscopy

A combined approach of physicochemical extraction and sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure（XANES） spectroscopy was applied to characterize the extracellular polymeric substances（EPS） of typical bacterial biofilms in this study. Physicochemical analysis showed variation of the contents of DNA,polysaccharide and protein in different fractions of EPS in different mediums. The sulfur K-edge XANES analysis yielded a variety of spectra.Spectral fitting of the XANES spectra utilizing a large set of model compounds showed that there was more reduced sulfur in both LB-EPS（loosely bound EPS） and TB-EPS（tightly bound EPS） of all the biofilms in LB medium than in R2 A medium. More oxidized sulfur was identified in LB-EPS than that in TB-EPS,suggesting different niches and physiological heterogeneity in the biofilms. Our results suggested that the sulfur K-edge XANES can be a useful tool to analyze the sulfur speciation in EPS of biofilms.     

Interfacial effects of suspended particles on biodegradation of N (2,4 dimethyl phenyl) N'' methylformamidine hydrochloride and dibutyl phthalate in waters

ＩｎｔｅｒｆａｃｉａｌｅｆｅｃｔｓｏｆｓｕｓｐｅｎｄｅｄｐａｒｔｉｃｌｅｓｏｎｂｉｏｄｅｇｒａｄａｔｉｏｎｏｆＮ（２，４ｄｉｍｅｔｈｙｌｐｈｅｎｙｌ）Ｎ’ｍｅｔｈｙｌｆｏｒｍａｍｉｄｉｎｅｈｙｄｒｏｃｈｌｏｒｉｄｅａｎｄｄｉｂｕｔｙｌｐｈｔｈ...     

三岔河沿岸植物铅、镉富集特性的研究

以紫茎泽兰（EupatoriumadenophorumSpreng）、青蒿（HerbaArtemisiaeAnnuae）、三叶鬼针草（Bidenspilosa）、野牡丹（MelastomaAfffine D．Don）、光叶蕨（Knuiwatsukiacuspidata）为例,分别在河边、路边、山上和污水灌溉的旱地4个采样点采取5种植物的根部和茎叶,测量重金属元素Pb、Cd的含量、富集系数和转移系数并分析数据。结果表明,各种植物不同器官在不同环境中对重金属元素Pb、Cd的富集和转移水平各不相同,就平均水平来说三叶鬼针草对重金属Pb、Cd的富集系数较大,转移系数也高,但其对Pb的转移量明显高于Cd的转移量;紫茎泽兰对重金属元素Cd的富集和转移速度相对高于其它4种植物,说明紫茎泽兰对Cd的吸收和转移比较快,可作为受镉污染土壤进行改良的备选植物种。     

不同pH下纳米铁镍颗粒对生物降解苯酚的影响

研究不同pH(8.0、6.0和3.0)下金属纳米颗粒(Fe和Fe/Ni)对纺锤芽孢杆菌(BFN)降解苯酚的影响.实验结果发现pH在8.0和6.0时投加2种金属纳米颗粒(Fe和Fe/Ni)对BFN降解苯酚有促进作用,其原因主要是纳米颗粒在水中持续腐蚀产生H2,为BFN降解苯酚提供电子,促进BFN的生长.但在pH=3.0时,只有BFN-纳米Fe耦合体系才使苯酚得到部分降解,主要是因为纳米Fe颗粒与水反应产生OH-,使pH值有所升高,更适宜BFN的生长,同时提供电子供体H2促进BFN对苯酚的利用.扫描电镜(SEM)和能谱分析(EDS)数据证实金属纳米颗粒(Fe和Fe/Ni)在反应后附着在微生物表面,但微生物的表面形态并未发生显著改变.因此,纳米金属颗粒虽然通过附着影响微生物的活性,但其在腐蚀过程中产生的H2将作为电子供体而被BFN所利用,综合作用的结果是有利于BFN的生长进而提高苯酚的降解速率.     

Identification of rice cultivars with low brown rice mixed cadmium and lead contents and their interactions with the micronutrients iron, zinc, nickel and manganese

Paddy fields in mining areas are usually co-contaminated by a cocktail of mixed toxic heavy metals (e.g., Cd and Pb in Pb/Zn mines). However, previous studies on rice cultivars screened for effective metal exclusion have mostly focused on individual metals, and have been conducted under pot-trial or hydroponic solution conditions. This study identified rice cultivars with both low Cd and Pb accumulation under Cd-and Pb-contaminated field conditions, and the interactions of the toxic elements Cd and Pb with the micronutrient elements Fe, Zn, Mn and Ni were also studied. Among 32 rice cultivars tested, there were significant differences in Cd (0.06-0.59 mg/kg) and Pb (0.25-3.15 mg/kg) levels in their brown rice, and similar results were also found for the micronutrient elements. Significant decreases in concentrations of Fe and Mn were detected with increasing Cd concentrations and a significant elevation in Fe, Mn and Ni with increasing Pb concentrations. A similar result was also shown by Cd and Ni. Three cultivars were identified with a combination of low brown rice Cd and Pb, high micronutrient and grain yield (Wufengyou 2168, Tianyou 196 and Guinongzhan). Present results suggest that it is possible to breed rice cultivars with low mixed toxic element (Cd, Pb) and high micronutrient contents along with high grain yields, thus ensuring food safety and quality.     

Co对腈纶废水厌氧处理效果的影响

利用厌氧反应装置,以腈纶废水为处理对象,通过2组试验,对比了微量金属(Co)投加前后废水中有机物降解情况、累积产气量、三维荧光光谱图以及微生物生长情况,研究了微量Co对腈纶废水厌氧处理效果的影响.结果表明:当Co的投加浓度〔以ρ(CoCl2)计〕为1.0 mg/L时,CODCr去除率达71.7%,累积产气量达到22.5 mL;当Co的投加浓度超过10 mg/L时,CODCr去除率为20%左右,累积产气量8.5 mL,未投加Co元素的空白对照组CODCr去除率为43.1%,累积产气量为10 mL.显示微量Co对腈纶废水厌氧生物降解具有一定的促进作用.      

北京温榆河流域微生物污染调查研究

随着工业化和城市化进程的加快,我国河流普遍受到了不同程度的水质污染,而微生物指标对于水质评价具有重要作用.本研究选取细菌总数、总大肠菌群、粪大肠菌群以及SC噬菌体、F噬菌体作为指示微生物对北京市温榆河开展了历时一年多的调查研究,结果表明,除了有机污染和富营养化问题外,温榆河流域的微生物污染非常突出.温榆河上游已经受到了一定程度的微生物污染,微生物浓度(以粪大肠菌群为例)波动较大(5.01×10²~5.37×10⁶个·L^-1);下游受清河、坝河等排水河道的影响,微生物污染普遍严重(均值达6.3×10⁶个·L^-1以上),与地表水Ⅴ类水质标准(GB 3838—2002)相比FC浓度平均超出两个数量级.统计分析显示,温榆河微生物污染受季节的影响并不显著(p>0.05),表明人为因素很可能是其主要影响因素.温榆河处于微生物高污染水平,可能威胁地下水水质和农作物质量安全,应从源头加强微生物风险控制.     

扬子地体船山组碳酸盐岩中的核形石

扬子地体上石炭统船山组内核形石极为丰富,按照内部结构和构造可分五种纹层类型、二种壳层构造和四种核心结构。核形石并非过去所认为的单一的“葛万藻核形石”,而可以根据形态和壳层中的生物组合划分为十种基本类型,其沉积环境有滩、潮下低能带和泻湖等。 石炭纪晚期,由于全球的气候发生强烈分异,从而在低纬度地区产生大量分泌粘液的缠绕生物(藻类为主),核形石就是由这种缠绕生物捕集沉积质点围绕核心而成,其形成过程有四个阶段—核心形成阶段,壳层形成阶段、沉积搬运阶段和成岩后生阶段。 在成岩后生阶段,核形石岩可以产生大量的核间和核内溶孔,这对于油气、矿液的储集和运移是十分有利的。