TNT removal from culture media by three commonly available wild plants growing in the Caribbean

Plants growing in the Caribbean, Rubia tinctorum, Lippia dulcis and Spermacoce remota, were used in vitro to remove TNT from culture media. Plants were found to be resistant to high TNT levels. S. remota was able to remove TNT in less than 48 h. Part of the TNT was physically removed from the culture media by evaporation.     

Development of low-cost ammonia gas sensors and data analysis algorithms to implement a monitoring grid of urban environmental pollutants

The present study is focused on the implementation of a novel, low cost, urban grid of nanostructured chemresistor gas sensors for ammonia concentration ([NH(3)]) monitoring, with NH(3) being one of the main precursors of secondary fine particulate. Low-cost chemresistor gas sensors based on carbon nanotubes have been developed, their response to [NH(3)] in the 0.17-5.0 ppm range has been tested, and the devices have been properly calibrated under different relative humidity conditions in the 33-63% range. In order to improve the chemresistor selectivity towards [NH(3)], an Expert System, based on fuzzy logic and genetic algorithms, has been developed to extract the atmospheric [NH(3)] (with a sensitivity of a few ppb) from the output signal of a model chemresistor gas sensor exposed to an NO(2), NO(X) and O(3) gas mixture. The concentration of these pollutants that are known to be the most significant interfering compounds during ammonia detection with carbon nanotube gas sensors has been tracked by the ARPA monitoring network in the city of Milan and the historical dataset collected over one year has been used to train the Expert System.     

Removal of 17α-ethinylestradiol from a sterile WC medium by the cyanobacteria Microcystis novacekii

An unprecedented investigation dealing with the removal of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2, a contraceptive hormone) by the cyanobacteria Microcystis novacekii (a species that is abundant and easily accessible in Brazilian lakes) from a sterile WC medium is described herein. The results indicated that whereas EE2 experienced insignificant spontaneous degradation, Microcystis novacekii was capable of removing ca. 65% of the hormone from the culture medium. Furthermore, no metabolites were detected at the concentration levels evaluated (0.10 to 0.17 mg L(-1)) as verified by the use of GC-MS, a quite sensitive analytical technique, and adequate pre-concentration procedures (SPME and liquid extraction). Elucidative experiments, including an appropriate cell lyses procedure, indicated that EE2 was likely accumulated within the cells (bioaccumulation) rather than adsorbed on the cellular membrane (biosorption). Moreover, the intra- and extracellular contents of EE2 were shown to be roughly complementary. Finally, the species was found to be highly tolerant to the hormone as its growth rates were higher in the test than in the control experiments. All these findings, therefore, point to the use of Microcystis novacekii as a potential agent to treat effluents contaminated with EE2.     

Effects of anticholinesterase drugs on biomarkers and behavior of pumpkinseed, Lepomis gibbosus (Linnaeus, 1758)

The presence of pharmaceutical residues in the aquatic environment has recently received great attention, as potential adverse effects may arise from their presence. Inhibition of cholinesterases (ChE) has been widely used as an environmental biomarker of exposure to organophosphates (OP) and carbamate (CB) pesticides. However, other widespread anthropogenic contaminants - including pharmaceutical drugs - can exert toxic effects through ChE inhibition. Studies with aquatic species have shown that inhibition of ChE is associated with behavioral changes. Bearing this in mind, this work aimed to study the effects on individual behavior and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity of selected tissues of Lepomis gibbosus, after exposure to the anticholinesterasic drugs neostigmine and pyridostigmine. Results revealed that neostigmine significantly decreased the activity of AChE in the head (LOEC = 100 mg L(-1)), but not in dorsal muscle. On the other hand, pyridostigmine significantly decreased the activity of AChE in both the head (LOEC = 0.001 mg L(-1)) and dorsal muscle homogenates (LOEC = 100 mg L(-1)). The impairment of this enzymatic form was attained at ecologically relevant concentrations (in the case of pyridostigmine, for head AChE), which is an interesting finding, specially considering that these toxic effects occurred for a pharmaceutical compound. Contrarily, there were no significant differences in the behavior of L. gibbosus in any parameter, for neither drug. These results suggest that the behavioral parameters analyzed (scototaxis and lethargy) in L. gibbosus could not be regarded as suitable markers to assess the effects of drugs such as neostigmine and pyridostigmine. In contrast, the pattern of response elicited by cholinesterasic inhibition showed the usefulness of this toxicological parameter for the assessment of pharmaceuticals in the environment, namely anticholinesterasics.     

Spatial variability of air pollutants in the city of Taranto, Italy and its potential impact on exposure assessment

Epidemiological studies typically use monitored air pollution data from a single station or as averaged data from several stations to estimate population exposure. In industrialized urban areas, this approach may present critical issues due to the spatial complexities of air pollutants which are emitted by different sources. This study focused on the city of Taranto, which is one of the most highly industrialized cities in southern Italy. Epidemiological studies have revealed several critical situations in this area, in terms of mortality excess and short-term health effects of air pollution. The aims of this paper are to study the variability of air pollutants in the city of Taranto and to interpret the results in relation to the applicability of the data in assessing population exposure. Meteorological and pollution data (SO2, NO2, PM10), measured simultaneously and continuously during the period 2006–2010 in five air quality stations, were analyzed. Relative and absolute spatial concentration variations were investigated by means of statistical indexes. Results show significant differences among stations. The highest correlation between stations was observed for PM10 concentrations, while critical values were found for NO2. The worst values were observed for the SO2 series. The high values of 90th percentile of differences between pairs of monitoring sites for the three pollutants index suggest that mean concentrations differ by large amounts from site to site. The overall analysis supports the hypothesis that various parts of the city are differently affected by the different emission sources, depending on meteorological conditions. In particular, analysis revealed that the influence of the industrial site may be primarily identified with the series of SO2 data which exhibit higher mean concentration values and positive correlations with wind intensity when the monitoring station is downwind from the industrial site. Results suggest evaluating the population exposure to air pollutants in industrialized cities by taking into account the possible zones of influence of different emission sources. More research is needed to identify an indicator, which ought to be a synthesis of several pollutants, and take into account the meteorological variables.     

Major inputs and mobility of potentially toxic elements contamination in urban areas

Soil quality in urban areas is affected by anthropogenic activities, posing a risk to human health and ecosystems. Since the pseudo-total concentrations of potentially toxic elements may not reflect their potential risks, the study of element mobility is very important on a risk assessment basis. This study aims at characterising the distribution and major sources of 34 elements in two Portuguese urban areas (Lisbon and Viseu), with different geological characteristics, industrial and urban development processes. Furthermore, the potential availability of As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn was assessed, by measuring the fraction easily mobilised. Lisbon is enriched in elements of geogenic and anthropogenic origin, whereas in the smaller city, the high levels observed are mainly related to a geogenic origin. Background values can be more relevant than the dimension of the city, even when anthropogenic components may be present, and this parameter should be considered when comparing results from different cities. Regarding the potential available fraction, a high variability of results was observed for elements and for sampling sites with an influence of the soil’s general characteristics. Elements showing very high concentrations due to geological reasons presented, in general, a low mobility and it was not dependent on the degree of contamination. For elements with major anthropogenic origin, only Zn was dependent on the pseudo-total content. Yet, the highest available fractions of some elements, both with major geogenic and anthropogenic origin, were observed in specific contaminated samples. Therefore, a site-specific evaluation in urban soils is important due to the high spatial variability and heterogeneity.     

Attitudes and Perceptions about Ecological Resources, Hazards, and Future Land Use of People Living near the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory

This paper examines the attitudes and perceptions of local people about ecological resources, environmental hazards, and future land use of the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). Such monitoring of attitudes is an important aspect of environmental assessment. We interviewed 262 people who attended the 42nd Annual Free Fishermen's Breakfast at St. Anthony, Idaho, on 23 March 1997. We tested the null hypotheses that there were no differences in perceptions about ecological resources, hazards and future land use of INEEL as a function of gender, age, education, and place of residence. Dumping trash in the ocean and cutting rainforests rated as the environmental problems of highest concern, and ozone, radon and high voltage lines rated the lowest; cleaning up Department of Energy sites rated intermediate. Respondents were most willing to expend government funds to make drinking water clean. Three significant differences were found: 1) women rated environmental problems as more severe than did men, and women were more willing to expend federal funds to solve these problems, 2) respondents under 30 years of age rated environmental problems as more severe than older people, and they were more willing to spend money to solve them, and, 3) respondents who had not finished high school were more concerned with environmental problems and were more willing to spend money to solve them than respondents with a high school education. Maintaining INEEL as a National Environmental Research Park (NERP) rated as the most preferred future land use, followed by continued reprocessing of nuclear materials and hunting. Using INEEL for housing and additional nuclear waste storage rated the lowest. Men rated grazing livestock and additional nuclear waste storage higher than did women. In general, respondents from 30 – 49 rated several economic uses (hunting, grazing livestock, growing crops) higher than did people in other age groups. Respondents with some college rated these economic uses higher than did respondents who had not graduated from high school. These results indicate that respondents living around INEEL believe that INEEL should continue with a reprocessing and NERP mission, but that other peripheral uses, such as hunting, hiking and grazing, should be allowed on some of the land. These views should aid in environmental assessment of the site, and in developing further management plans for INEEL.     

Heavy metal pollution in surface sediment and mussel samples in the Gulf of Gemlik

Different sources of pollution in Karasu Creek were investigated to obtain the water quality and ratio of contamination in this region. To achieve the main objectives of the present study, water samples were collected from Karasu Creek, starting from flow pattern at the upstream site of Akkaya Dam to the end of the dam, crossing the place where the Creek drains into. Dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, temperature and maximum/minimum pH were measured systematically for 12 months in the stations, where the water samples were collected. Chemical analyses of the water samples were carried out by using Cadas 50 S brand UV spectrometer to find out the Pb, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd, S, F and Cn concentrations. These concentration were determined in μg/lt as 80–850; 180–4,920; 10–6,100; 440–25,530; 130–2,400; 120–280; 20–150; 214,250–1,113,580; 1,560–4,270 and 40–690, respectively. To determine metal levels of the water samples, multivariate analyses (element coefficient correlation, coefficient correlation dendrogram, hierarchical cluster analysis dendrogram, model summary and ANOVA) were used. The analyses yielded highly accurate results. There were positive correlations between some elements and their possible sources were the same. The stations which resembled each other along the creek were divided into three groups. The water quality of the creek was low and had toxic qualities. Eutrophication developed in Akkaya Dam along the creek. The source of pollution was thought to be industrial and residential wastes. Absolute (0–100 m), short distance (100–500 m) and medium distance (500–2,000 m) conservation areas should be determined in pollution areas along Karasu Creek and they should be improved.     

Monitoring of polychlorinated biphenyl contamination and estrogenic activity in water, commercial feed and farmed seafood

We evaluated the concentration and congener distribution of seven "target" polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) present in water collected in different aquaculture farms of the Mediterranean area, commercial feeds, and farmed seafood. PCBs were present in feed and in tissues of all the analysed organisms at levels ranging from 1.96 ng g(-1) to 124.00 ng g(-1) wet weight, and in 10.5% of the water samples, at levels from under detection limit to 33.0 ng l(-1) with total PCB concentrations significantly higher in samples from the Tyrrhenian Sea than the Adriatic Sea. PCB congener distribution in tissues resembled that of feed, suggesting that commercial feed is an important source of PCBs. The estrogenicity of organic extracts of the samples was also evaluated by using an in vitro yeast reporter assay. Estrogenic activity higher than 10% of the activity induced by 10 nM 17 beta-estradiol was observed in 20.0% of seafood samples and 15.8% of water samples. Seafood and water samples from the Tyrrhenian Sea were more frequently estrogenic than the Adriatic ones (16.45 versus 4.08%). A significant correlation of total PCB concentrations on biological activity was observed for sea bass and mussels from the Adriatic Sea (p < 0.045 and p < 0.04, respectively), and for sea bass of the Tyrrhenian Sea (p = 0.05). These results indicate the need of an integral approach in the exposure assessment to potential toxic compounds for human via food.     

Concentrations of Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn and Fe in crab Charybdis longicollis and shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus from the Iskenderun Bay, Turkey

Copper, chromium cadmium, iron and zinc concentrations were determined in marine crab Charybdis longicollis and marine shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus in order to assess the impact of industrial activities and the sinking of M/V Ulla ship. Liver, gill and muscle sample solutions prepared analyzed using the atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique. The order of the metal concentrations found in muscle of crab was: Cu>Cr>Fe>Zn>Cd, while in muscle of shrimp the order was different: Cr>Cu>Zn>Fe>Cd. The highest Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe and Zn concentrations were found in the liver, and this was followed by the gill and muscle in both species. The levels of all metals in a given tissue were always higher in C. longicollis than in P. semisulcatus. Metals in both species show seasonal variations. In both species the highest concentrations were detected for all metals in summer.