The role of rhizofiltration and allelopathy on the removal of cyanobacteria in a continuous flow system

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A continuous flow filtration system was designed to identify and quantify the removal mechanisms of Cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa) by...     

Results from a reference laboratory for prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell disorders in Cuba

A nationwide programme for the prevention of sickle cell (SS and SC) disorders was initiated in Cuba in 1983. Couples at risk were identified by screening pregnant women and the partners of those who carry an abnormal haemoglobin, followed by genetic counselling and the offer of prenatal diagnosis. Prenatal diagnosis was performed in one laboratory, which had carried out 1068 prenatal tests for Hb SS and SC disorders by the end of 1992. The centralization of the service has permitted rapid identification and resolution of problems.     

First trimester diagnosis of β-thalassaemia in a twin pregnancy

This paper reports the results of first trimester prenatal diagnosis in a twin pregnancy at risk for homozygous β°−thalassaemia (β°−39 mutant). Trophoblast samples from both twins were obtained at 10 weeks gestation with a forceps guided by ultrasound. Trophoblast DNA analysis, carried out with the oligonucleotide technique, revealed that one fetus was homozygous and the other heterozygous for the β−39 mutant. This diagnosis was confirmed at 17 weeks gestation by amniocyte DNA analysis. DNA polymorphism analysis within the α-globin gene provided useful genetic markers for twin differentiation.     

Determination of optimal water solubility of capsaicin for its usage as a non-toxic antifoulant

BACKGROUND: Capsaicin, a non-toxic natural product antifoulant, is an attractive alternative to the currently used toxic metal-based antifoulants for protecting the submerged surfaces. The problem associated with conducting capsaicin experiments is its limited aqueous solubility. METHODS: A procedure was developed to obtain the maximum capsaicin concentration in water. Capsaicin was first dissolved in one of the three organic solvents, methanol, ethanol, and acetone. The organic solvent was replaced by gradually adding distilled water and evaporating the organic solvent. RESULTS: The best solvent for obtaining highest concentration of capsaicin in water was ethanol. A maximum capsaicin in water 6400 ppm was achieved by using 16 mg capsaicin dissolved in 0.8 ml ethanol followed with the addition of 2.5 ml distilled water in 0.2 ml increments and then slow evaporation of the solvent. CONCLUSION: The concentration obtained using our approach is well above the threshold concentration of capsaicin in deterring the marine organism attachments.     

Adsorption of hydrogen sulfide on montmorillonites modified with iron

Sodium-rich montmorillonite was modified with iron in order to introduce active centers for hydrogen sulfide adsorption. In the first modification, interlayer sodium cations were exchanged with iron. In another modification, iron oxocations were introduced to the clay surface. The most elaborated modification was based on doping of iron within the interlayer space of aluminum-pillared clay. The modified clay samples were tested as hydrogen sulfide adsorbents. Iron-doped samples showed a significant improvement in the capacity for H2S removal, despite of a noticeable decrease in microporosity compared to the initial pillared clay. The smallest capacity was obtained for the clay modified with iron oxocations. Variations in adsorption capacity are likely due to differences in the chemistry of iron species, degree of their dispersion on the surface, and accessibility of small pores for H2S molecule. The results suggest that on the surface of iron-modified clay hydrogen sulfide reacts with Fe(+3) forming sulfides or it is catalytically oxidized to SO2 on iron (hydro)oxides. Subsequent oxidation may lead to sulfate formation.     

Study of fractionation and potential mobility of metal in sludge from pyrite mining and affected river sediments: changes in mobility over time and use of artificial ageing as a tool in environmental impact assessment

Sludge from mining exploitation can be a source of land and water contamination in the adjacent zone. Accidents such as the break of waste mining pools in the Aznalcollar Mine (Seville, Spain) in 1998 produce important ecological disasters. In this work is presented a study of the evolution of aqua regia leachable concentration and mobility of metals in sediment samples of Guadiamar River basin from the accident date up to 2001. The application of BCR standard extraction procedures provides valuable information about the mobility and toxicity of the spill and the metal mobility in Guadiamar River polluted sediments. As a rule, themobility of several metals in the initial sludge (sulphides) is low, except for copper. Otherwise, the results of aqua regia leachable concentration and mobility of metal obtained for sediments samples indicate that the cleaning and inertisation works carried out in the zone have been adequate but insufficient, being the metal levels observed in the zone are higher than natural levels. To establish the initial impact of the spill and the mobility changes with time, mineralogical composition of the pyritic sludge and its evolution after the natural weathering and after the induction, of accelerated ageing processes by light and temperature was studied in the laboratory. Oxidation of initial sulphides to sulphates was observed. Both environmental and laboratory oxidation of the metallic sulphides increase the mobility of all metals, especially of copper, zinc and lead. The proposed laboratory procedure allows to predict the changes in mobility and therefore in toxicity that can occur at short or long term after exposure of sludge at environ-mental conditions. The mobility results in sludge and sediment samples are interpreted in terms of the mineral composition of the samples.