The effect of paraoxon on spermatogenesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dugesia gonocephala</Emphasis> from the Chilean Altiplano: proliferation and apoptosis

Introduction and aims  

The Chilean Altiplano ecosystem is conserved free from contaminants and pollutants because of the absence of major local human activities such as agriculture or other industries. We studied the effects of paraoxon on proliferation and apoptosis of testicular cells during active spermatogenesis in Dugesia gonocephala collected from a pristine river (Guacollo) in the Altiplano region nearby Visviri town, Chile.     

Semifield assessment of the runoff potential and environmental risk of the parasiticide drug ivermectin under Mediterranean conditions

Introduction  

The antiparasitic ivermectin is of particular concern to regulatory agencies. Ivermectin can reach the environment through the direct emission of dung from livestock on pasture and via manure application on agricultural lands.     

江苏辐射沙洲潮间带风电场对海洋水动力场的影响分析

为了分析潮间带风电场对海洋水动力条件的影响,建立和验证了江苏辐射沙洲潮间带风电场工程二维潮流数学模型,根据风电场区的地形条件对模型范围及网格划分进行了探讨,分析风电场实施前后水动力条件的变化.结果表明:模型计算值与实测值拟合较好·建立的二维潮流数学模型计算结果合理、可信,可用来预测风电场建设对附近海域水动力条件的影响;...     

粉末状和颗粒状有机膨润土对克百威的吸附

用十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTMAB)和十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS)制得粉末状CTMAB阳离子有机膨润土(简称CTMAB-膨润土)和CTMAB-SDBS阴阳离子有机膨润土(简称CTMAB-SDBS-膨润土),并利用聚乙烯醇(PVA)包埋固定化技术将2种粉末状有机膨润土制成颗粒状有机膨润土,研究了粉末状与颗粒状有机膨润土对水中克百威的吸附性能.结果表明:粉末状CTMAB-膨润土和CTMAB-SDBS-膨润土对克百威的吸附效果较好,最终去除率分别为90.9％和92.5％,颗粒状CTMAB-膨润土和CTMAB-SDBS-膨润土对克百威的最终去除率分别为55.5％和60.3％;有机膨润土对克百威的吸附等温线符合Freundlich方程;颗粒状有机膨润土吸附克百威最多可重复利用6次.     

再生水农灌过程中重金属迁移规律研究

再生水回用于农业灌溉,可以缓解农业水资源的需求压力,这对徐州缺水地区具有重要意义.通过土柱模拟实验,研究了不同灌溉方式及2种典型农作物——小麦、玉米的种植对As、Cd、Cu、Zn在徐州灌区土壤中迁移行为的影响.实验用添加重金属的再生水和地下水进行土柱滴灌.结果表明,再生水灌溉和再生水、地下水轮灌之后,重金属主要在土样表...     

Thermal decomposition of electronic wastes: mobile phone case and other parts

Pyrolysis and combustion runs at 850°C in a horizontal laboratory furnace were carried out on different parts of a mobile phone (printed circuit board, mobile case and a mixture of both materials). The analyses of the carbon oxides, light hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and dioxin-like PCBs are shown. Regarding semivolatile compounds, phenol, styrene, and its derivatives had the highest yields. In nearly all the runs the same PAHs were identified, naphthalene being the most common component obtained. Combustion of the printed circuit board produced the highest emission factor of PCDD/Fs, possibly due to the high copper content.     

Physiological and biochemical responses of Microcystis aeruginosa to phosphite

Phosphorus (P) is a key biological element and limiting nutrient in aquatic environments. Phosphate (+5) is traditionally associated with the P nutrient supply. However, phosphite (+3) has recently generated a great deal of interest, because of the possibility that it is a P source based on recognition of its vital role in the original life of the early earth. This study investigated whether phosphite can be an alternative P source for Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806, one of the predominant bloom species in freshwater systems. The results indicated that M. aeruginosa could not utilize phosphite as a sole P-nutrient directly for cell growth at any concentration, but that phosphite could boost cell numbers and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) content as long as phosphate was provided simultaneously. Specifically, Chl-a production increased sharply when 5.44 mg P L⁻¹ phosphite was added to 0.54 mg P L⁻¹ phosphate medium. Analysis of the maximum yield of PSII indicated that phosphite may stimulate the photosynthesis process of cells in phosphate-phosphite medium. In addition, phosphite failed to support cell growth, even though it more readily permeated the cells in P-deficient medium than in P-sufficient medium. Alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) analysis indicated that, unlike organic P, phosphite inhibits the response of cells to deficient P status, especially under P-deprived conditions.     

Patterns of mercury and methylmercury bioaccumulation in fish species downstream of a long-term mercury-contaminated site in the lower Ebro River (NE Spain)

Since the 19th century, large amounts of industrial waste were dumped in a reservoir adjacent to a chlor-alkali plant in the lower Ebro River (NE Spain). Previous toxicological analysis of carp populations inhabiting the surveyed area have shown that the highest biological impact attributable to mercury pollution occurred downstream of the discharge site. However, mercury speciation in fish from this polluted area has not been addressed yet. Thus, in the present study, piscivorous European catfish (Silurus glanis) and non-piscivorous common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were selected, to investigate the bioavailability and bioaccumulation capacities of both total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) at the discharge site and downstream points. Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was applied to reduce the dimensionality of the data set, and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) models were fitted in order to assess the relationship between both Hg species in fish and different variables of interest. Mercury levels in fish inhabiting the dam at the discharge site were found to be approximately 2-fold higher than those from an upstream site; while mercury pollution progressively increased downstream of the hot spot. In fact, both THg and MeHg levels at the farthest downstream point were 3 times greater than those close to the waste dump. This result clearly indicates downstream transport and increased mercury bioavailability as a function of distance downstream from the contamination source. A number of factors may affect both the downstream transport and increased Hg bioavailability associated with suspended particulate matter (SPM) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC).     

Mercury, lead and cadmium in human milk in relation to diet, lifestyle habits and sociodemographic variables in Madrid (Spain)

Background

Although breastfeeding is the ideal way of nurturing infants, it can be a source of exposure to toxicants. This study reports the concentration of Hg, Pb and Cd in breast milk from a sample of women drawn from the general population of the Madrid Region, and explores the association between metal levels and socio-demographic factors, lifestyle habits, diet and environmental exposures, including tobacco smoke, exposure at home and occupational exposures.

Methods

Breast milk was obtained from 100 women (20 mL) at around the third week postpartum. Pb, Cd and Hg levels were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Metal levels were log-transformed due to non-normal distribution. Their association with the variables collected by questionnaire was assessed using linear regression models. Separate models were fitted for Hg, Pb and Cd, using univariate linear regression in a first step. Secondly, multivariate linear regression models were adjusted introducing potential confounders specific for each metal. Finally, a test for trend was performed in order to evaluate possible dose-response relationships between metal levels and changes in variables categories.

Results

Geometric mean Hg, Pb and Cd content in milk were 0.53 μg L⁻¹, 15.56 μg L⁻¹, and 1.31 μg L⁻¹, respectively. Decreases in Hg levels in older women and in those with a previous history of pregnancies and lactations suggested clearance of this metal over lifetime, though differences were not statistically significant, probably due to limited sample size. Lead concentrations increased with greater exposure to motor vehicle traffic and higher potato consumption. Increased Cd levels were associated with type of lactation and tended to increase with tobacco smoking.

Conclusions

Surveillance for the presence of heavy metals in human milk is needed. Smoking and dietary habits are the main factors linked to heavy metal levels in breast milk. Our results reinforce the need to strengthen national food safety programs and to further promote avoidance of unhealthy behaviors such as smoking during pregnancy.     

重金属污染土壤修复技术综述

土壤重金属污染是当前重要的世界性环境问题之一。随着重金属污染土壤场地日渐增多,如何安全有效地修复并利用这些受污染的土壤已成为我国急需解决的环境和社会问题。本文介绍了重金属污染土壤常用修复技术的原理、优缺点,并重点介绍了土壤淋洗修复技术,对目前淋洗剂的应用情况、作用机制进行了评价。