Mechanochemical degradation of chlorinated contaminants in fly ash with a calcium-based degradation reagent

This report presents our results in a low-temperature mechanochemical hydrodechlorination process applied to fly ash coming from a municipal waste incinerator in order to efficiently remove all traces of PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs. We found that the most suitable degradation agent is a mixture of metallic calcium and calcium oxide. A sample of fly ash presenting a TEQ of 5200 pg g⁻¹ was completely detoxified (no traces of PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs detected) after ball-milling at 400 rpm over night.     

Vitellogenin and zona radiata proteins as biomarkers of endocrine disruption in peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)

The aim of this study was to test a specific method for the detection of Vitellogenin (Vtg) and Zona Radiata Proteins (Zrp) in plasma from peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) as specific biomarkers for the evaluation of the effects of endocrine disruptors. The method was assayed with different peregrine falcon individuals (including mature and immature birds of both sexes) from a Spanish population being studied in terms of their contamination with organochlorine compounds with endocrine disrupting properties. This study shows that mouse anti bird Vtg monoclonal antibody ND3C3 (Biosense) seems to be the most specific antibody in binding plasmatic lipoproteins in peregrine falcon when compared to other anti Vtg antibodies. Rabbit anti salmon Zrp polyclonal antibodies O146 (Biosense) show cross-reactivity with Zrp in the samples studied. These preliminary results confirm the applicability of both of these diagnostic tools assayed (induction of Vtg and Zrp) in detecting exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) in this species. The increase of Vtg and Zrp detected in male specimens suggest a potential hazard to EDCs in the peregrine falcon which represents a species still affected by organochlorine compounds, and in particular those with estrogenic activity.     

Composition of green turtle feeding aggregations along the Japanese archipelago: implications for changes in composition with current flow

In order to develop effective conservation strategies for endangered migratory species, the link between feeding and breeding grounds needs to be clarified. In this study, the genetic compositions of consecutive Japanese feeding aggregations of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) along the Kuroshio Current were examined by mixed-stock analyses of mitochondrial DNA control-region sequences. The results indicated that the southern feeding aggregation around Yaeyama (24.3°N, 124.0°E) was sourced from various Pacific rookeries in the Yaeyama, Ogasawara, Western Pacific, and Indian Oceans and Southeast Asia. Among northern feeding aggregations, the Ginoza (26.5°N, 128.0°E) aggregation was also sourced from the Western Pacific Ocean, but the Nomaike (31.4°N, 130.1°E), Muroto (33.2°N, 134.2°E), and Kanto (35.6°N, 140.5°E) aggregations were contributed mostly by the closer Ogasawara rookeries. The reduced contribution from tropical Pacific rookeries to northern feeding aggregations and the significant correlation between genetic differentiation and geographical distance matrices of feeding aggregations indicated that most hatchlings from these regions transported by the Kuroshio Current settle in upstream feeding grounds along the Japanese archipelago, implying that current flow influences the composition of feeding aggregations. Differences in the composition of relatively close neritic feeding aggregations have important conservation implications, for which both regional and multinational conservation strategies are needed.     

Study on polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and dibenzofurans in rivers and estuaries in Osaka Bay in Japan

In order to search the source of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in blue mussel in Osaka bay, sediments from Osaka bay and from rivers running near an urban municipal incinerator were analysed for PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs. The river and estuary sediments were all found to be contaminated with PCDDs at average levels of 9.8 and 12ppb on the dry basis, PCDFs of 7.8 and 5.1 ppb, and PCBs of 1600 and 1300ppb, respectively. The two sediments contained similar profiles of specific isomers and congeners of PCDDs and PCDFs with each other. In addition, there was observed positive close correlations between PCDD and PCDF levels in the two specimens as well as fly ash from urban municipal incinerators. These allow the conclusion that the main source of the two chemicals in Osaka bay is fly ash from waste incineration.     

Investigation of the hemolytic effects of various organophosphoric acid triesters (OPEs) and their structure‐activity relationship

The hemolytic effects of various organophosphonc acid triesters (OPEs) were investigated and they showed strong hemolyic toxicity except triethyl phosphate and tris(chloroethyl)phosphate. 2‐Ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDP) showed the strongest toxicity. By quantitative structure‐activity relationship (QSAR) study, one‐parameter regression equation to estimate hemolysis was not obtained. But, two‐parameter regression equations were obtained which were enought to estimate EC₅₀ and EC₂₀. The correlation coefficients with the two‐parameter regression equations were 0.939 for log(l/EC₅₀) and 0.946 for log(l/EC₂₀).     

Separation of Organic Materials and Metallic Elements from Marine Waters by the Operation of Gas-Bubble Extraction

A laboratory experimental investigation was conducted to define the action of rising bubbles with respect to heavy-metal enrichment at the sea surface. Analytical data (HMDE-differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry technique) show possible enrichments of organic-bound Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb at the top of a laboratory bubble-extraction column filled with water samples collected in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea. In consideration of analogy between natural and laboratory bubble-extraction processes, laboratory results, i.e., enriched-over-original concentration ratios, make it possible to assess the intrinsic heavy-metal flotation capability in marine waters.     

Development of rice husks-plastics composites for building materials

In this paper, a new effective recycling method for rice husks and waste expanded polystyrene is developed by using a combination of both wastes. A styrene solution of waste expanded polystyrene is used as a binder for rice husks-plastics composites. The composites are prepared with various mix proportions by a hot press molding method, and tested for apparent density, water absorption, expansion in thickness, and dry and wet flexural strengths. From the test results, the apparent density of the composites is increased with increasing binder content and filler-binder ratio. Their flexural strength and wet flexural strengths reach maximums at a binder content of 30.0% and a filler-binder ratio of 1.0. Their water absorption and expansion in thickness are decreased with increasing binder content and filler-binder ratio. Since the composites have a high flexural strength and water resistance, their uses as building materials are expected.