Tessaria absinthioides: a possible bio‐monitor for Cd,Pb, and Cu,in the middle and lower basin of the loa river,North Chile

Some ecotoxic metals such as Cd, Pb, and Cu in Tessaria absinthioides were quantified to study its possible use as a bio‐indicator and/or bio‐monitor of these metals. This plant was chosen for its abundance in the area under study, along Chile and even in southern Latin America. For Cd, Pb, and Cu in all three parts of the plant (leaves, stems and roots) a different concentration pattern in each sampling areas was observed. In sampling areas Coya Sur and La Cascada copper and cadmium concentration decrease in order: leaves > roots > stems. In samples collected in Xalquincha the lowest concentrations of Cd and Pb were observed in stems. A maximum of cadmium concentration (9ug/gd.w. in leaves) was found in samples from La Cascada, a inflow to river Loa in Calama. High concentrations of lead were found in roots and leaves. Collected data demonstrate that the main pathway for cadmium is from ground water via roots into the plant. Some data obtained for lead and copper indicate that the influence of dust particles adsorbed on leaves and stems can be higher than uptake from ground water.     

Exposure of ground water to alachlor,atrazine and metolachlor in maize areas of ribatejo and oeste (Portugal)

In irrigated maize areas of an important Portuguese agricultural area, Ribatejo and Oeste Region, alachlor, atrazine and metolachlor were detected in ground water.

During the study performed from 1996 to 1998 atrazine was the herbicide that showed the highest frequency of detection. In the 177 ground water samples collected 62% were contaminated with atrazine, 30% with alachlor and 12% with metolachlor. All these herbicides were detected both in ground water for human consumption and for irrigation, in some cases above 0.1 ug/L. The maximum levels quantified were 13μg/L for alachlor, 30μg/L for atrazine and 56 μg/L for metolachlor.

Seasonal variation of residues in ground water it is also presented through several examples of studies performed during the period 1991–1999.     

The distribution,metabolism and toxicity of 14c-DDT in model aquarium tanks with fish and sediment simulating a tropical marine environment

Studies conducted on the distribution, fate and metabolism of DDT in a model ecosystem simulating a tropical marine environment of fish, Gobious nudiceps, Lethrinus harak, Gobious keinesis, Gobious nebulosis and white shrimp (Panaeus setiferus), show that DDT concentration in the water decreases rapidly within the first 24?h. Rapid accumulation of the pesticide in the biota also reaches a maximum level in 24?h before gradually declining. The bioaccumulation factors calculated for the fish species (G. keinesis) and white shrimp (P. Setiferus) were 270 and 351, respectively, after 24?h. There was a steady build up of DDT residues in the sediment during the first 24?h which continued to a maximum concentration of 6.66?ng/g in the seawater/fish/sediment ecosystem after 3 weeks and 5.27?ng/g in the seawater/shrimps/sediment ecosystem after 2.7 days. The depuration of the accumulated pesticide was slow with only 54% lost in G. nudiceps within 3 days of exposure in fresh sea water. By contrast, depuration was fast in the white shrimp, which lost 97% of the accumulated pesticide under the same conditions. DDT was found to be toxic to two of the fish species (G. nebulosis and L. harak) and to white shrimp, and the degree of toxicity was dependent on the particular species. The 24?h LC₅₀ at room temperature for the fish species G. nebulosis and white shrimp was found to be 0.011 and 0.116?mg/kg, respectively. These levels are comparable to the ones recorded for the temperate organisms. Degradation of DDT to its primary metabolites, DDE and DDD, was found in all the compartments of the ecosystem with DDE being the major metabolite in the fish, shrimps and sediment, while in seawater, DDD dominated as the major metabolite.     

Royal jelly inhibited N-acetylation and metabolism of 2-aminofluorene in human liver tumor cells (J5)

The present study was carried out to evaluate the question of whether or not royal jelly affects N-acetylation and metabolism of 2-aminofluorene (2-AF) in the human liver tumor cell line (J 5). N-acetylation and metabolism of 2-AF in intact J5 cells was determined by using high performance liquid chromatography for the amounts of acetylated and nonacetylated 2-AF and profile of 2-AF metabolism. The results indicated that royal jelly displayed a dose-dependent inhibition of N-acetylation of 2-AF in J5 cells. Royal jelly also decreased the profile of 2-AF metabolites in J5 cells. This report is the first demonstration which showed that royal jelly affects N-acetylation of 2-AF in human liver tumor cells (J5).     

Indigo carmine removal by charcoal from rice bran as an agricultural by-product

On the utilization of agricultural by-product, charcoal from rice bran was produced. The adsorption characteristics of indigo carmine onto charcoals from rice bran were investigated by the batch method. The yield and surface area of charcoal were decreased and increased with increase of carbonization temperature, respectively. The removal ratio of indigo carmine was high with the charcoal carbonized at higher temperature. In the relationship between the amount of indigo carmine adsorbed and the square root of elapsed time, a good linearity was recognized. The kinetic constant of adsorption removal for indigo carmine was rapid in the charcoal carbonized at higher temperature. The adsorption characteristics for indigo carmine removal by charcoal from rice bran were dominated by the value of their surface area.     

Speciation of heavy metals in Albanian coastal sediments

This article presents results on heavy metal (Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn) speciation in the coastal sediments of Albania. Sediment samples were collected within the framework of the activities of the Interreg Italia–Albania Project, carried out in the Southern Adriatic Sea in 2000–01. This study shows that Albanian coastal sediments are highly influenced by river input, as the decreasing concentrations from coast to offshore confirm. Pb represents an exception of the general trend; meteoric inputs are prevalent for this metal. Ni, Cr, Fe, Zn and Cu correlate significantly and positively in the entire area, indicating a common origin for these metals in the analyzed sediments. All metals result mostly associated to the most refractory phases, which constitute up to 80% of the total concentration. Nevertheless a recent input of Cr, Ni, Cu and Mn can be observed, as the result of mining and industrial activities, in some selected areas, such as the Drin Bay and Durres. Their high concentration in the bioavailable phase can determine toxic effect upon biota.     

Role of the vitamin E model compound Trolox in the prevention of Cr(VI)-induced cellular damage

Given the wide industrial use of chromium (Cr) and its environmental contamination, chromium represents a risk to humans exposed to the metal. Considering that Cr(VI) is a potent oxidizing agent that increases intracellular oxidation and DNA damage, it would be worth considering the pretreatment of cells with antioxidants as a means of preventing Cr(VI)-induced toxicity. The objective of this study was to pretreat yeast cells with the water-soluble vitamin E analogue Trolox in an effort to increase cell tolerance against reactive chromium and reactive oxygen species formed during Cr(VI) reduction. Results revealed a decrease in Cr(VI)-induced cytotoxicity and mitotic gene conversions in Trolox-pretreated cells. The protective effect of Trolox in Cr(VI) induced genotoxicity was confirmed also with the prokaryotic Salmonella typhimurium SOS/umu test. Pretreatment of cells with Trolox (1) increased total Cr bioaccumulation, (2) decreased Cr(VI)-induced intracellular oxidation, (3) decreased Cr(V) persistence and (4) increased OH^? formation in yeast extracts. These findings might be useful in directing future investigations concerning the use of Trolox as a human antioxidant supplement, and in clinical applications related to Cr-induced genotoxicity in occupational and environmental situations where chromium is a problem.     

A study of biochemical parameters among individuals residing in a fluoride endemic area in India

Fluoride (Fl) exerts an inhibitory effect on many metabolic enzymes of various tissues. A study was carried out among individuals residing in a Fl-affected area in India. The biochemical parameters including serum enzyme activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and serum creatinine (CRTN) were estimated in 259 subjects compared to 233 controls. The results showed that among the Fl-exposed population, ALKP and SGPT were significantly increased compared to control. The CRTN levels were also significantly increased compared to the control subjects. LDH levels were not markedly altered. Data suggest that Fl exposure affects renal and hepatic functions in endemic areas of India.     

The correlation of total and extractable heavy metals from soil and domestic sewage sludge and their transfer to maize ( Zea mays L.) plants

A study to understand the mobility and transport of heavy metals (HMs) from soil and soil amended with sewage sludge to maize plants was carried out. The total and ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid (EDTA)-extractable HMs in agricultural soil and untreated domestic sewage sludge samples, and the correlation between the total and extractable metals in soil and sewage sludge were carried out. Pot experiments were performed to study the transfer of HMs to maize grains, grown in soil (control) and in soil amended with sewage sludge (test samples). The total and extractable HMs in soil, sewage sludge, and maize grains were analysed by FAAS/ETAAS (flame atomic absorption spectrometer/electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer) after digestion in microwave oven. Statistically significant correlations were obtained between the total contents of Cu, Cd, As and their respective extractable fractions in soil, while in domestic wastewater sludge (DWS) the better correlation was observed only for Ni and Cd. The edible part of maize plants (grains) from test samples presented high concentration of Zn, Pb, Ni, Cd, Cu, As, and Cr concentrations (80.7–85.6, 3.8–3.95, 2.35–2.5, 0.75–0.82, 3.21–3.29, 0.23–0.27, and 0.22–0.29?mg?kg^?1, respectively). Good correlations were found between metals in exchangeable fractions of both soil and DWS and total metals in control and test samples of maize grains. The transfer factor of all HMs from DWS to maize grains was also determined.     

Fatty acid composition of marine macroalgae from the Black Sea and Dardanelles

The fatty acid (FA) composition was determined in 14 species of marine macroalgae belonging to the Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta, which were collected from ?ile in the Black Sea and Kepez in the Dardanelles. Generally, polyunsaturated FAs and monounsaturated FAs were major components (50–77%). Total saturated FAs ranged from 22% to 50%, with 16?:?0 as the most abundant saturate (32–38%). Two samples of Cystoseira barbata collected from a different station had some differences from each other in their contents of 18?:?2n-6 and 18?:?3n-3 and in the 18?:?2n-6/20?:?4n-6 ratios. Green algal species had a significantly higher proportion of unsaturated FAs and a significantly lower proportion of saturated FAs than the red and brown algae. The amount of n-3 FAs was significantly higher in Ulva rigita, Chaetomorpha linum, Enteromorpha linza and Gracilaria verrucosa (8.88, 6.44, 5.31 and 5.24, respectively).