Monobromo and higher brominated congeners of the marine halogenated natural product 2,3,3',4,4',5,5'-heptachloro-1'-methyl-1,2'-bipyrrole (Q1)

The marine halogenated natural product 2,3,3',4,4',5,5'-heptachloro-1'-methyl-1,2'-bipyrrole (Q1) is widely distributed in the environment. In this study, we screened samples which have previously been found to contain remarkably high residues of Q1 (blubber of marine mammals from Australia, samples from Antarctica, human milk from the Faroe Island) for the additional presence of mixed chlorinated and brominated congeners. Using GC/ECNI-MS, all samples tested were positive and many contained four out of five possible bromohexachloro congeners (BrCl6-MBPs), five out of 14 possible dibromopentachloro congeners (Br2Cl5-MBPs), five of 21 possible tribromotetrachloro-congeners (Br3Cl4-MBPs), as well as several higher brominated congeners. About 20 heptahalo congeners of Q1 are described for the first time in the scientific literature. Isomers eluted within about one minute, respectively. Hence it is possible, that the peak clusters identified may be composed of more, co-eluting congeners. Similarities in the GC/ECNI-MS mass spectra with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were addressed. We also suggest an acronym system similar to that in use for polychlorinated biphenyls that may simplify the use of this substance class in scientific papers. In the samples from Australia, BrCl6-MBPs and Br2Cl5-MBPs amounted for 7-27.5% and 0.4-4.2% of Q1, respectively whereas Br3Cl4-MBPs and higher brominated MBPs were found in the range of <1% of Q1 or less.     

Plasma concentration of organochlorine compounds is associated with age and not obesity

It has been suggested that obese individuals, because of an increased dilution space (body fat) for lipophilic organochlorines compounds, may have greater levels of toxic pollutants than lean sedentary individuals. It is important to further examine this possibility because of the potential contribution of organochlorine pesticides in the development of Parkinson's disease and other neurological diseases. The aim of this study was to further investigate the relationship between the magnitude of obesity and the plasma concentration of organochlorines for a wide range of BMI (with participants at steady state body weight). Fifty-three individuals were selected on the basis of their body mass index (BMI): lean controls (n=16; mean BMI 22.8+/-2.2 kg/m(2); mean age 38.8+/-9.4 years), obese individuals (n=19; mean BMI 33.4+/-3.0 kg/m(2); mean age 38.6+/-7.6 years) and morbidly obese individuals (n=18; mean BMI 49.3+/-6.5 kg/m(2); mean age 44.3+/-9.2 years). Blood samples were analyzed for organochlorine compounds. The relationship between the total plasma organochlorine concentration and BMI was tested using a multiple regression analysis. Age was included in the model. There was no relationship between the total plasma organochlorine concentration and BMI. Organochlorine concentrations, however, were correlated with age (BMI-adjusted R(2)=0.46; p<0.001). At steady state body weight, toxic pollutant concentrations are not associated to obesity but strongly correlate with age.     

Accumulation and partitioning of heavy metals in mangroves: a synthesis of field-based studies

We report the findings of a comparative analysis examining patterns of accumulation and partitioning of the heavy metals copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in mangroves from available field-based studies to date, employing both species level analyses and a phylogenetic approach. Despite mangroves being a taxonomically diverse group, metal accumulation and partitioning for all metals examined were broadly similar across genera and families. Patterns of metal accumulation were also similar regardless of whether species were classified as salt secreting or non-secreting. Metals were accumulated in roots to concentrations similar to those of adjacent sediments with root bio-concentration factors (BCF; ratio of root metal to sediment metal concentration) of 1< or =. Root BCFs were constant across the exposure range for all metals. Metal concentrations in leaves were half that of roots or lower. Essential metals (Cu and Zn; translocation factors (TF; ratio of leaf metal to root metal concentration) of 0.52 and 0.53, and leaf BCFs of 0.47 and 0.51, respectively) showed greater mobility than non-essential metals (Pb; TF of 0.31 and leaf BCF of 0.11). Leaf BCFs for the essential metals Cu and Zn decreased as environmental concentrations increased. The non-essential metal Pb was excluded from leaf tissue regardless of environmental concentrations. Thus mangroves as a group tend to operate as excluder species for non-essential metals and regulators of essential metals. For phytoremediation initiatives, mangrove ecosystems are perhaps best employed as phytostabilisers, potentially aiding in the retention of toxic metals and thereby reducing transport to adjacent estuarine and marine systems.     

Workplace aerosol mass concentration measurement using optical particle counters

Direct-reading aerosol measurement usually uses the optical properties of airborne particles to detect and measure particle concentration. In the case of occupational hygiene, mass concentration measurement is often required. Two aerosol monitoring methods are based on the principle of light scattering: optical particle counting (OPC) and photometry. The former analyses the light scattered by a single particle, the latter by a cloud of particles. Both methods need calibration to transform the quantity of scattered light detected into particle concentration. Photometers are simpler to use and can be directly calibrated to measure mass concentration. However, their response varies not only with aerosol concentration but also with particle size distribution, which frequently contributes to biased measurement. Optical particle counters directly measure the particle number concentration and particle size that allows assessment of the particle mass provided the particles are spherical and of known density. An integrating algorithm is used to calculate the mass concentration of any conventional health-related aerosol fraction. The concentrations calculated thus have been compared with simultaneous measurements by conventional gravimetric sampling to check the possibility of field OPC calibration with real workplace aerosols with a view to further monitoring particle mass concentration. Aerosol concentrations were measured in the food industry using the OPC GRIMM? 1.108 and the CIP 10-Inhalable and CIP 10-Respirable (ARELCO?) aerosol samplers while meat sausages were being brushed and coated with calcium carbonate. Previously, the original OPC inlet had been adapted to sample inhalable aerosol. A mixed aerosol of calcium carbonate and fungi spores was present in the workplace. The OPC particle-size distribution and an estimated average particle density of both aerosol components were used to calculate the mass concentration. The inhalable and respirable aerosol fractions calculated from the OPC data are closely correlated with the results of the particle size-selective sampling using the CIP 10. Furthermore, the OPC data allow calculation of the thoracic fraction of workplace aerosol (not measured by sampling), which is interesting in the presence of allergenic particles like fungi spores. The results also show that the modified COP inlet adequately samples inhalable aerosol in the range of workplace particle-size distribution.     

Evaluation of leaching and extraction procedures for soil and waste

Laboratory leaching tests may be used for source term determination as a basis for risk assessment for soil-groundwater pathways on contaminated sites. In order to evaluate different leaching procedures, batch extraction tests and percolation tests were performed using three reference materials produced from contaminated soil, demolition waste and municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash. Emphasis was placed on the investigation of the leachability of the heavy metals copper and chromium, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the anions chloride and sulfate. Significant discrepancies between column experiments and batch/extraction tests were found for the release of PAHs and to a lesser extent for the heavy metals Cu and Cr. Additionally interlaboratory comparisons were conducted based on different leaching tests with the reference materials and evaluated using the criteria of comparability and reproducibility. The best reproducibility was achieved for all investigated substances in column tests. The reproducibility of batch tests was acceptable except for PAHs. The results from the experimental work will help establish standardized and feasible laboratory procedures as fundamental for substance specific risk assessment of contaminated sites.     

Extractability of elements in sugar maple xylem along a gradient of soil acidity

Dendrochemistry has been used for the historical dating of pollution. Its reliability is questionable due primarily to the radial mobility of elements in sapwood. In the present study, the extractability of seven elements was characterized to assess their suitability for the monitoring of environmental conditions. Nine mature sugar maple trees (Acer saccharum Marsh.), a wide-ranging species in eastern North America that has suffered decline in past decades, were sampled in three Quebec watersheds along a soil acidity gradient. Five-year groups of annual tree rings were treated by sequential chemical extractions using extractants of varying strength (deionized H2O, 0.05 M HCl, and concentrated HNO(3)) to selectively solubilize the elements into three fractions (water-soluble, acid-soluble, and residual). Monovalent K; divalent Ba, Ca, Cd, Mg, Mn; and trivalent Al cations were found mostly in the water-soluble, acid-soluble, and residual fractions, respectively. Forms more likely to be mobile within the tree (water-soluble and acid-soluble) do not seem to be suitable for temporal monitoring because of potential lateral redistribution in sapwood rings. However, certain elements (Cd, Mn) were responsive to current soil acidity and could be used in spatial variation monitoring. Extractability of Al varied according to soil acidity; at less acidic sites, up to 90% of Al was contained in the residual form, whereas on very acidic soils, as much as 45% was found in the water-soluble and acid-soluble fractions. Sequential extractions can be useful for determining specific forms of metals as key indicators of soil acidification.