Clonal variation in heavy metal accumulation and biomass production in a poplar coppice culture. II. Vertical distribution and phytoextraction potential

Short rotation coppice cultures (SRC) are intensively managed, high-density plantations of multi-shoot trees. In April 1996, an SRC field trial with 17 different poplar clones was established in Boom (Belgium) on a former waste disposal site. In December 1996 and January 2001, all shoots were cut back to a height of 5 cm to create a coppice culture. For six clones, wood and bark were sampled at the bottom, middle and top of a shoot in August and November 2002. No significant height effect of metal concentration was found, but for wood, metal concentrations generally increased toward the top of the shoot in August, and decreased toward the top of the shoot in November. Phytoextraction potential of a clone was primarily determined by metal concentration and by biomass production. Shoot size and number of shoots per stool were less important, as a high biomass production could be achieved by producing a few large shoots or many smaller shoots. Clone Fritzi Pauley accumulated 1.4 kg ha(-1) of Al over two years; Wolterson and Balsam Spire showed a relatively high accumulation of Cd and Zn, i.e. averaging, respectively 47 and 57 g ha(-1) for Cd and 2.4 and 2.0 kg ha(-1) for Zn over two years.     

Lead levels of feral pigeons (Columba livia) from Madrid (Spain)

Tissue lead data are presented for populations of feral pigeons (Columba livia) from three locations in Madrid (Spain). The lead present in the lungs and digestive tract of pigeons increased progressively with traffic density and in parallel with atmospheric and ground lead values. The contribution of the respiratory route of Pb intake to the pigeons was about three times greater than the digestive route. The highest Pb values were found in bones. It is suggested that the pigeons gave a greatly magnified picture of lead pollution in cities than indicated by atmospheric lead concentrations.     

Accelerated remediation of pesticide-contaminated soil with zerovalent iron

High pesticide concentrations in soil from spills or discharges can result in point-source contamination of ground and surface waters. Cost-effective technologies are needed for on-site treatment that meet clean-up goals and restore soil function. Remediation is particularly challenging when a mixture of pesticides is present. Zerovalent iron (Fe0) has been shown to promote reductive dechlorination and nitro group reduction of a wide range of contaminants in soil and water. We employed Fe0 for on-site treatment of soil containing > 1000 mg metolachlor, > 55 mg alachlor, > 64 mg atrazine, > 35 mg pendimethalin, and > 10 mg chlorpyrifos kg(-1). While concentrations were highly variable within the windrowed soil, treatment with 5% (w/w) Fe0 resulted in > 60% destruction of the five pesticides within 90 d and increased to > 90% when 2% (w/w) Al2(SO4)3 was added to the Fe0. GC/MS analysis confirmed dechlorination of metolachlor and alachlor during treatment. Our observations support the use of Fe0 for ex situ treatment of pesticide-contaminated soil.     

European starling nestling response to chlorpyrifos exposure in a corn agroecosystem

European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) nestlings were used as a surrogate to study the effect of chlorpyrifos application to a corn agroecosystem on songbird reproduction. Chlorpyrifos was applied in a T‐band at 1.3 kg AI/ha, and residues were measured in soil, earthworms, ground‐dwelling insects, and diet items collected from the crop of starling nestlings. Chlorpyrifos levels in soil peaked at 34.2 μg/g, 4 days post‐application, and dissipated to trace levels by 64 days post‐application. Concentrations of chlorpyrifos in earthworms and ground‐dwelling insects reached 0.9 and 0.7 ug/g, respectively. Starling nestling diet items included invertebrates from eight orders with chlorpyrifos concentrations ranging from trace levels to 10.6 μg/g in earthworms. Nestling brain and plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity and body mass measurements were taken at 3, 8, and 13 days post‐hatch (DPH). Adult starling fecundity was also measured. Body mass differences between treatment and reference site nestlings at 3 and 13 DPH were not significant at α = 0.05. However, 8 DPH nestlings from the Treatment Site had a transient reduction in weight (p = 0.03) when compared with 8 DPH reference nestlings. There were no significant differences in brain or plasma ChE activities of 3, 8, or 13 DPH nestlings. Further, multiple measures of fecundity (i.e., clutch size, hatching percentage, and fledging percentage) indicated that chlorpyrifos application did not affect starling nestling survival to fledging, as the values from the Treatment and Reference Site were nearly identical. This screening‐level study suggests that although one age group of starling nestlings from the Treatment Site weighed less than their Reference Site counterparts, a single T‐band application of chlorpyrifos did not impair starling nesting success.     

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.     

Effect of white African mineral hair dye on the activities of phosphatases and malondialdehyde level in selected tissues of albino rats

The effect of white African mineral dye Yombofita (YF) on the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the skin, liver, kidney and serum of albino rats was investigated. The chemical analysis of the dye was first carried out using solubility test, pH determination and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) elemental analysis. Six different concentrations (0.05, 0.15, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.00%) of the dye were prepared using hydrogen peroxide (30 volume) as solvent. A total of 80 albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were used for the study. The rats were divided into 8 groups of 10 each and were maintained on commercial feed for the period of the experiment i.e. 30 days. In group 1, the control group, the animals were applied distilled water on their heads, whereas in group 2 the vehicle i.e. hydrogen peroxide was applied. In groups 3 to 8 various concentrations of YF (white) dye ranging from 0.05, 0.15, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 to 1.00% was applied respectively. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected and portions of the selected tissues were excised for the determination of ALP and ACP activities. The MDA level was also determined in the skin of experimental animals. The results revealed a significant decrease (p?p?相似文献   

Toxicity of cadmium to the green alga Parachlorella kessleri: Producing Cd-loaded algae for feeding experiments

The effects of Cd at environmental concentrations (0–32 µg/L) on the green alga Parachlorella kessleri were investigated. At about 3 µg Cd/L, toxic effects of Cd are becoming evident, much lower than reported previously. At 8 µg/L and higher, pronounced adverse effects on growth, cell morphology, size, and physiological state are seen. Therefore, levels lower than 2 µg Cd/L should be employed to produce Cd-carrying algae for feeding experiments with organisms on the next trophic level, e.g. mussels, to avoid reduced food uptake. These findings also suggest that aquatic ecosystem conditions can be indirectly influenced via the impairment of the nutritional value of algae since they are the basic organisms of aquatic food chains.     

Biochemical assessment of lead,phenol, and benzene-contaminated water on the heart and blood of Albino rats

A study was performed to evaluate the effect of contaminated water on the tissues of Rattus novergicus (albino rats). Test rats were given water contaminated with lead (0.015 µg L^?1 tap water), phenol (0.05 mL L^?1 tap water), and benzene (0.05 mL L^?1 tap water), while control rats were given tap water over a period of 65 days after which the activity of selected enzymes of the heart and serum was assayed, and hematological parameters and serum lipid profiles were also determined. Generally, a significant (p < 0.05) drop in the activity of the enzymes was observed in the heart of test rats relative to the control rats. However, the serum activities increased significantly in the test group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The concentrations of serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides of the test rats were found to be significantly higher than those of the control rats (p < 0.05). Concentrations of hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and packed cell volume of test rats were observed to be significantly lower than those of the control rats (p < 0.05). The experimental results indicated that consumption of water contaminated with lead, phenol, and benzene may damage the heart, increase the risk of atherosclerosis as reflected by the serum lipid profile, and anemia as suggested by abnormal hematological properties.     

Mercury exposure through diet in pregnant women and women of childbearing age

The study examined the stage of clean-up of the Port Lavaca bay sites in Texas, which were polluted during the early 1990's by effluent containing mercury (Hg) from a chloralkali plant. In addition to Hg intoxication through environmental contaminations, human exposure through dietary fish and other seafoods occurred. Bacteria converts inorganic Hg to alkyl organic compounds and subsequently the metal crosses the blood brain barrier thus exerting adverse effects on the fetal developing nervous system. In order to conduct a survey of dietary Hg exposure, blood was collected from pregnant women and those of childbearing age at routine clinic visits at each of three centers in South Texas cities (Galveston, Texas City, Port Lavaca/Victoria, TX). A questionnaire sought dietary and lifestyle information including consumption, sources of fish and other seafoods. A significant number of subjects (119 out of 175, 68%) ate fish caught locally. The blood Hg concentrations (µg?L^?1) range varied with the location of the study centers: City of Galveston 2.6–62; Texas City 2.8–111.8; and the Port Lavaca areas 3.02–126.7. The concentrations of blood Hg was directly proportional to the number of fish meals consumed for each species considered. Mean blood Hg concentrations for no fish meals per week were: Port Lavaca 4.5 (N?=?3), Galveston 4.3 (N?=?3), Texas City 3.5 (N?=?10). For >3 fish meals per week, the mean blood Hg concentrations were: Port Lavaca, 48.0 (N?=?53), Galveston 29.1 (N?=?35), Texas City, 36.1 (N?=?31). Data show that residues of Hg were still present in 1994 despite the clean-up efforts.