Organic contaminant loads into the Western Mediterranean Sea: estimate of Ebro River inputs

Annual input estimates for several organic contaminants from the Ebro River into the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea were carried out on the basis of monthly sampling from November 2002 to October 2003. Some organochlorine compounds (DDT and its degradation products, DDD and DDE, PCBs (9 congeners), HCB and gamma-HCH) were selected due to their reported occurrence in the river. Furthermore, some polar pesticides used in the Ebro Delta were also determined (atrazine, simazine, diazinon, fenitrothion and molinate). Concentrations ranged from 0.4 to 19.5 ng l(-1) for the organochlorine compounds (sum of particulate and dissolved phases) and from not detected (ND) to 170 ng l(-1) for the more polar pesticides, which were only found in the dissolved phase. The sum of PCB congeners (mean 8.9 ng l(-1)) showed the highest concentrations among the organochlorine compounds and atrazine (mean 82 ng l(-1)) among the polar pesticides. Based on the contaminant concentrations and on hydrological data, contaminant discharges into the sea were estimated amounting in total to 167 and 1,258 kg year(-1) of organochlorine compounds and polar pesticides, respectively. Furthermore, it was observed that PCBs, DDTs and HCB inputs were basically influenced by spate periods due to an increase in suspended particulate matter associated to runoff and sediment resuspension. Whereas for more water soluble contaminants, such as the agrochemicals, their seasonal use had a higher incidence in contaminant fluxes. Bulk chemical parameters such as SPM, DOC, POC, %OC, %ON and C/N ratio provided additional information on the organic matter sources. This provides a better understanding of the temporal variability of the contaminant concentrations.     

Biomarker responses in European eel (Anguilla anguilla) exposed to persistent organic pollutants. A field study in the Vaccarès lagoon (Camargue, France)

A screening of relevant biomarkers was carried out in order to evaluate metabolic and cellular damages in European eels exposed to a non-point source contamination by persistent organic pollutants (POP) such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and organochlorine compounds (OC) in a protected area, the Nature Reserve of Camargue (France). Investigations were focused on metabolic responses including detoxification mechanisms (biotransformation, antioxidant process), energy requirements and enzymatic membrane markers either involved in neuronal conduction (acetylcholinesterase, AChE) or in osmoregulation and energy metabolism (ATPases). The hepatic and muscular glycogen rates seemed to be suitable biomarkers as well as three hepatic activities involved in the protection against oxyradicals: catalase, glutathione peroxidase (SeGPx) and superoxide dismutases (SOD). The muscle and gill ATPases as well as the muscle and brain AChE showed more significant relevance in terms of biomarkers than the biotransformation enzymes: ethoxyresorufine-O-deethylase (EROD) and uridine diphospho-glucuronyl transferase (UDPGT). However, most of these enzymatic activities depend on numerous abiotic factors, which must be taken into account in such a biomarker assessment approach. Our study provides some conclusive elements to approve the use in situ of biomarkers developed from laboratory studies. It also raises a question regarding the location of contaminant impregnation in fish organ, in relation with age, development status or mode of contamination, and its influence on biomarker response. If the relevance of membrane indicators is confirmed, this study provides an original statement of the extent of the ecotoxicological threat for the aquatic species in a protected area, due to the occurrence of POP in the cell membranes.     

Team reward attitude: construct development and initial validation

This paper reports the development of a team reward attitude construct and intial validation of a measure in a longitudinal study of team members (initial n = 566). Confirmatory factor analysis results provide support for a revised 9‐item scale in two different time periods separated by four months. The measure was positively related to other team‐related attitudes (preference for group work and perceived efficacy of teams) and locus of control, and negatively related to a proxy for ability. Implications of the research and future research directions are addressed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ESTABLISHING WATERSHED MANAGEMENT IN LAW: NEW ZEALAND'S EXPERIENCE1

ABSTRACT: New Zealand is one of the first countries in the world to enshrine the concept of watershed management in law, through institutional arrangements and the Resource Management Act of 1991 ‐ a law constructed on a watershed management legacy begun in 1941. This paper outlines the development of New Zealand's Resource Management Act (as it applies to water management) and the lessons that have been learned in its implementation.     

Overview of particulate exposures in the US trucking industry

As part of a large epidemiologic study of lung cancer, 55,000 subjects, we have conducted a nation-wide survey of particulate exposures in the US trucking industry. The goal is to differentiate the risks from various types of particulate exposures, such as traffic emissions and general air pollution. We hypothesize that exposures defined by job and work site characteristics can be linked with subjects using their personal job histories. This report covers exposures at 36 randomly chosen large truck freight terminals in the US. Measurements were made of PM2.5, elemental carbon (EC), and organic carbon (OC) upwind of the terminal (background) and in work areas, and by personal samples. Significant differences in exposure intensity, microg m(-3), were found for work locations and jobs relative to background levels (GM[GSD]) at terminal sites: PM2.5 9.8[2.34], EC 0.5[3.24], and OC 5.0[1.76]. Using EC as a marker for diesel particles, work locations varied significantly: office 0.3[3.7], dock area 0.7[2.89] and shop area 1.5[3.52]), as did job titles (non-smokers): clerk 0.1[9.98], dock worker 0.8[2.13], and mechanic 2.0[3.82]. Cigarette smoking contributed substantially to personal exposures, approximately doubling PM2.5 and OC, but having less of an effect on EC. Large differences were seen across the terminal sites due to differences in local regional air pollution levels from traffic and other sources. We conclude that it will be possible to estimate current exposures of the cohort using an exposure assignment matrix based on job title, work location, and terminal site. This distribution overlaps substantially with the general public's exposure to these sources.     

超滤膜-生物反应器处理生活污水及其水力学研究

用超滤膜－生物反应器进行处理生活污水试验并研究其水力学行为。结果表明,当ＨＲＴ为５ｈ、ＳＲＴ为３０ｄ、膜面流速为４ｍ／ｓ膜流量为７５Ｌ／（ｍ＾２·ｈ）时,试验出水水质优于建设部生活杂用水水质标准ＣＪ２５．１－８９,可直接回用。     

HYDROLOGIC ANALYSIS OF DISCHARGE SUSTAINABILITY FROM AN ABANDONED UNDERGROUND COAL MINE1

ABSTRACT: Discharge from flooded abandoned subsurface coal mines is considered a potential source for water supplies where other acceptable water sources are not available. The objective of this study was to develop procedures for determining sustainability of mine‐water discharge using rainfall and discharge data for a case study site. The study site is located in southwest Virginia where Late Paleozoic sequences of sandstone, coal, and shale predominate. A rain gauge and a flow rate monitoring system were installed at the site and data were collected for a period of 100 days. The recording period corresponded with one of the driest periods in recent years and, therefore, provided valuable information regarding the flow sustainability during baseflow conditions. From available data on underground mining patterns, geology, and ground water flow regimes, it was determined that a coal mine aquifer exhibits hydraulic characteristics very similar to the extremely heterogeneous systems observed in karst aquifers, and the mine discharge is analogous to springflow. Thus, techniques commonly used in karst‐water systems and springflow analysis were used to develop rainfall/mine‐discharge relationships. Springflow recession analysis was performed on five rainfall recessions and the coefficient for each recession was compared and interpreted in light of known geologic information. It was found that the recession coefficients described the mine discharge adequately and the mine aquifer response to a rainfall pulse was very similar to the response from certain types of karst aquifers. A cross‐correlation analysis was performed to verify the results of the recession analysis and to develop a “black box” statistical model for discharge data. The correlation analysis proved the validity of springflow recession analysis for mine discharge. The recorded data length was not adequate to create a statistical model, however, but a procedure was proposed for a statistical model that could be used with large flow records. For the study site, the mine discharge was found to be sustainable for a prolonged period of time.     

Integrating larval connectivity into the marine conservation decision-making process across spatial scales

Larval dispersal connectivity is typically integrated into spatial conservation decisions at regional or national scales, but implementing agencies struggle with translating these methods to local scales. We used larval dispersal connectivity at regional (hundreds of kilometers) and local (tens of kilometers) scales to aid in design of networks of no-take reserves in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. We used Marxan with Connectivity informed by biophysical larval dispersal models and remotely sensed coral reef habitat data to design marine reserve networks for 4 commercially important reef species across the region. We complemented regional spatial prioritization with decision trees that combined network-based connectivity metrics and habitat quality to design reserve boundaries locally. Decision trees were used in consensus-based workshops with stakeholders to qualitatively assess site desirability, and Marxan was used to identify areas for subsequent network expansion. Priority areas for protection and expected benefits differed among species, with little overlap in reserve network solutions. Because reef quality varied considerably across reefs, we suggest reef degradation must inform the interpretation of larval dispersal patterns and the conservation benefits achievable from protecting reefs. Our methods can be readily applied by conservation practitioners, in this region and elsewhere, to integrate connectivity data across multiple spatial scales.     

Unanswered questions on the airborne transmission of COVID-19

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Policies and measures to control pandemics are often failing. While biological factors controlling transmission are usually well explored, little is known about...     

Waves of pharmaceutical waste

Environmental Chemistry Letters -