Biochemical changes during the reproductive cycle of the deep-sea decapod <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nephrops norvegicus</Emphasis> on the south coast of Portugal

The objectives of the present study were to characterize the changes in the proximate chemical composition, lipid classes, fatty-acid profiles, glycogen and cholesterol contents of the muscle, ovary and hepatopancreas of Nephrops norvegicus (L.), during the reproduction cycle of this species. The gonadosomatic index increased significantly in May and June and during maturation, suggesting that spawning may start in late spring or summer. The hepatosomatic index also increased throughout the ovarian maturation, suggesting that the hepatopancreatic resources are not depleted. Positive correlations between lipid levels in the ovary and the gonadosomatic index (r=0.51, P<0.05) and the hepatopsomatic index (r=0.27, P<0.05) were found. In fact, ovarian lipid levels increased with maturation, but no concomitant decrease occurred in hepatopancreatic lipids. The muscle showed very low lipid levels (mainly polar lipids), presenting a significant increase during May and June (P<0.05). Higher proportions of neutral lipids, mainly triacylglycerols, were observed in the ovary and the hepatopancreas. Since both ovarian and hepatopancreatic cholesterol increased with maturation, the mobilization of hepatopancreatic cholesterol stores to build up ovarian cholesterol was not clear. On the other hand, protein and glycogen contents in the muscle, ovary and hepatopancreas did not vary as a function of ovary maturity stage. Among the various tissues analysed, the glycogen was mainly stored in the hepatopancreas and to a lesser extent in the muscle. In both ovary and hepatopancreas the major fatty acids were 16:0, 18:1(n-7), 18:1(n-9), 20:5(n-3) and 22:6(n-3), and significant increases (P<0.05) in the levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were observed in the ovary during sexual maturation, which indicates these compounds are the major sources of energy during embryonic and early larval development. It was evident that reproduction has profound effects upon the biochemistry of this species, because there are large associated energy costs, owing to the increase in biosynthetic work, which will support the lecithotrophic strategy of the embryos and first larval stages.     

Chlorcarbazole in Böden

Goal and Scope

In soil samples taken from several locations throughout Bavaria, the detection of p,p′-DDT by GC/MS was impeded by a superimposed peak. The authenticity of this compound, which has been identified as dichlorocarbazole by mass spectra databases, is confirmed and some characteristics of its occurrence in soils are described.

Methods

The authenticity of the unknown compound has been checked by comparing the low resolution mass spectra and chromatographic retention times with those of standard compounds. Some methodical studies concerning extraction and clean-up were also carried out.

Results and Conclusion

Mass spectra and retention of the unknown compound are identical with that of the 3,6-dichlorocarbazole standard compound; additionally, a second chlorocarbazole was found with mass spectrum and retention similar to 3-chlorocarbazole. In many topsoils (A-horizons) and subsoils (B-horizons) from 200 locations of different land-uses, the dichlorocarbazole could be detected. In contrast to PAH and other POPs, maximum concentrations occurred in the A- and upper B-horizons of forest soils rather than in the organic layers. Assuming the environmental distribution properties of the chlorocarbazoles to be similar to those of the PAH, this could indicate that the chlorocarbazoles are not deposited from the atmosphere as a result of anthropogenic activities but might be generated by natural processes in situ.

Recommendation and Perspective

To our knowledge, the occurrence of chlorocarbazoles in soils of unpolluted sites has not been previously described. Their widespread occurrence in relatively high concentrations and their detection using analytical standard procedures is surprising and requires further examination.     

Assimilation,inter-organ transfer and excretion of americium in two teleost fish

Radiotracer experiments were performed (February–April, 1982) to study the assimilation and metabolism of the transuranium nuclide americium-241 in the marine teleosts Serranus scriba (Linnaeus, 1758) and Scorpaena notata Rafinesque, 1810, caught off the Monaco coast. Fish fed with ²⁴¹Am-labelled food showed that assimilation of this radionuclide takes place through the gastrointestinal walls and that the small fraction accumulated is incorporated mainly in the skin, muscle and skeleton. Gut-transfer coefficients were similar in both species and averaged 0.7% (range 0.1 to 1.7%) of the ingested activity. The calculated biological half-lives for loss of the absorbed fraction ranged between 49 and 61 d for Serranus scriba and 12 and 117 d for Scorpaena notata. Results from an intramuscular injection experiment indicated that ²⁴¹Am was retained mainly in the liver, skin and skeleton; the fraction accumulated by muscle was very low. Liver displayed a relatively short biological half-time for ²⁴¹Am loss of roughly 24 d. Routes of ²⁴¹Am excretion from the teleosts appear to be through the kidneys, gills and feces with bile serving as a possible excretion route from the liver. From the limited amount of published information available for comparison, experimental evidence is presented which suggests that ²⁴¹Am taken up via the food chain is more biologically available to marine fish than is plutonium.     

Effect of surfactants on Fenton's reagent-mediated degradation of Kraft black liquor

One of the limitations of the biodegradation of hydrophobic chemical compounds, like lignins, is their low solubility in the aqueous solution where this process takes place. To resolve this problem, surfactants have been used to improve the solubility of these hydrophobic compounds. In this investigation, we studied the effect of surfactants (anionic, cationic, and non-ionic) on the treatment of Kraft black liquor with Fenton's reagent. In the Fenton reaction, H2O2 (two different concentrations, 10 mM and 20 mM), FeCl2 (1 mM) and surfactant solution (10%) were used. Black liquor degradation was determined by UV/Visible spectrophotometry and by measuring phenolic groups. In the presence of Fenton's reagent, the optimum conditions for the oxidative degradation of black liquor were 10 mM H2O2, 1 microL of 10% solution of anionic surfactant (SDS). The importance of the use of surfactants for preparing black liquor for subsequent Fenton's reagent-mediated degradation was discussed.     

Six interaction profiles for simple mixtures

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has a program for chemical mixtures that encompasses research on chemical mixtures toxicity, health risk assessment, and development of innovative computational methods. ATSDR prepared a guidance document that instructs users on how to conduct health risk assessment on chemical mixtures (Guidance Manual for the Assessment of Joint Toxic Action of Chemical Mixtures). ATSDR also developed six interaction profiles for chemical mixtures. Two profiles were developed for persistent environmental chemicals that are often found in contaminated fish and also can be detected in human breast milk. The mixture included chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, hexachlorobenzene, dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethane, methyl mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls. Two profiles each were developed for mixtures of metals and mixtures of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) that are frequently found at hazardous waste sites. The two metal profiles dealt with (a) lead, manganese, zinc, and copper; and (b) arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and lead; the two VOCs mixtures dealt with (a) 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene; and (b) benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTEX). Weight-of-evidence methodology was used to assess the joint toxic action for most of the mixtures. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling was used for BTEX. In most cases, a target-organ toxicity dose modification of the hazard index approach is recommended for conducting exposure-based assessments of noncancer health hazards.     

First Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in Shellfish and in Seawater from Production Areas in Southern Italy

Shellfish samples (n = 384) from production areas, water samples from the same areas (n = 39) and from nearby sewage discharge points (n = 29) were analyzed for hepatitis E virus (HEV) by real-time and nested RT-PCR. Ten shellfish samples (2.6%) and five seawater samples (12.8%) tested positive for HEV; all characterized strains were G3 and showed high degree of sequence identity. An integrated surveillance in seafood and waters is relevant to reduce the risk of shellfish-associated illnesses.     

Occurrence and Genetic Diversity of Human Cosavirus in Sewage in Italy

Human Cosavirus (HCoSV) is a newly discovered virus whose role in human enteric diseases is still unknown. In Italy, the prevalence and genetic diversity of HCoSV are unexplored. One hundred forty-one raw sewage samples collected throughout Italy were screened for HCoSV by RT-nested PCR. HCoSV was detected in 25.5% of samples. Species A, C, and D, and a potentially new species were detected. Our results show a significant circulation and heterogeneity of HCoSV in Italy.     

Molecular Detection of Human Salivirus in Italy Through Monitoring of Urban Sewages

Food and Environmental Virology - Salivirus (SalV) is a newly discovered virus associated to acute gastroenteritis in humans. In Italy, its prevalence and genetic diversity is unknown. To reduce...     

Living within fallen palm leaves: the discovery of an unknown Blommersia (Mantellidae: Anura) reveals a new reproductive strategy in the amphibians of Madagascar

We describe a new mantelline frog of the genus Blommersia found in rainforest in North East Madagascar, from the protected areas of Ambatovaky, Betampona, Masoala, and Zahamena. Blommersia angolafa n.sp. is a small frog, with a body size of 17–21 mm, expanded finger and toe tips, and colouration ranging from yellow to dark brown, with pale-bluish spots on the flanks and light tips of fingers and toes. A peculiar aspect characterising this new species is its novel life history and reproductive mode. Both sexes live and breed in a phytotelmic habitat of water accumulated within fallen prophylls and fallen leaf sheaths of at least three species of Dypsis palms. Within these phytotelmata, egg laying and complete larval development occur. Thus, B. angolafa n.sp. represents a new evolutionary lineage of Malagasy frogs in which phytotelmy is known. Up to now, reproduction in phytotelmata in Malagasy frogs has been reported for many cophyline microhylids, most species of Guibemantis, Mantella laevigata, and possibly in a still-undescribed species belonging to the genus Spinomantis. We consider the reproductive mode of B. angolafa as a derived character, having evolved from the more typical reproduction in lentic water bodies. The general scarcity of lentic habitats in Malagasy rainforests may have provided the conditions that favoured the evolution of this phytotelmic breeding strategy. The new species, being specialised to a habitat represented by a few selected Dypsis species, potentially suffers the selective exploitation of these palms.