Determination of estrogenic activity in landfill leachate by simplified yeast two-hybrid assay

We previously developed a simplified yeast two-hybrid assay of estrogenic activity. In the present study, the optimal conditions for sensitivity and stability of this assay were decided. The assay could determine the estrogenic activity of 4 x 10(-11) mol dm(-1) 17beta-estradiol and also anti-estrogenic activity by using 4-hydroxytamoxifen as a control. The assay was used to test various chemicals suspected of estrogenicity. Many kinds of chemical, including alkylphenols, naphthols, xylenols, methoxychlor, phthalates, and bisphenol-A, showed estrogenic activity, and several, such as 2,5-xylenol and di-iso-octyl phthalate, showed anti-estrogenic but no estrogenic activity. Copresence of two estrogenic chemicals produced additive activity. The assay was also used to test leachate and water samples from the sea-based landfill of Osaka North Port in Japan. Estrogenic activity was detected in leachate from a municipal waste-dumping site, but not in that from a dredged soil-dumping site, which did however cause inhibition of cell growth.     

Preliminary air pollution monitoring in San Miguel, Buenos Aires

Passive diffusion samplers were employed in San Miguel(Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area) for a preliminary airpollution monitoring. The highest loads were observedin downtown, compared with an urban background site.Total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) varied from0.257 to 0.033 mg cm^-2 month^-1; dust was examinedfor particle nature and size distribution. A similartrend was observed for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) andTSPM spatial distribution, suggesting that traffic isthe major pollution source. Sulphur dioxide (SO₂)values were low and rather homogeneous. Levels for theinvestigated pollutants are below EPA's guide linevalues. Geographic (flat area, near to Rio de LaPlata) and climatologic factors (rainfalls andvariable wind directions) contribute to disperse pollutants.     

Water quality test based on dielectrophoretic measurements of fresh water algae Selenastrum capricornutum

A method is described whereby dielectrophoresis of algal cells is used to perform rapid water quality analysis, specifically detecting the presence of CuSO4. The dielectric collection spectrum of the fresh water alga Selenastrum capricornutum was determined for a range of concentrations of CuSO4 from 25 mg L(-1) to 0.25 mg L(-1) for exposure times of 15 min and 18 h. In all cases increasing the concentration of CuSO4 reduced cell collection, but a step reduction was observed in collection between 2 mg L(-1) and 5 mg L(-1). This method has potential for forming a rapid, low-cost test for water quality with broad specificity and significantly reduced analysis time compared to current methods.     

LIDAR Measurements of the Vertical Aerosol Profile and Optical Depth during the ACE-Asia 2001 IOP, at Gosan, Jeju Island, Korea

In order to investigate the characteristic of optical properties of Asian dust particles, the atmospheric aerosol vertical profile was measured with the multi-wavelength LIDAR system, at the Gosan super site (33 degrees 17'N, 126 degrees 10'E) in Jeju Island, Korea, during the ACE-Asia intensive observation period, 11 March-4 May 2001. An air mass backward trajectory analysis, using Hysplit-4, was carried out to track the aerosol plume, with high mass loading, from the Chinese desert regions during the period of Asian dust storm events. Vertical atmospheric aerosol profiles on three major Asian dust storm event days, 22 March and 13 and 26 April 2001, have been analyzed. The LIDAR-derived aerosol optical depth values were compared with those measured by a collocated sunphotometer.     

Pool of Dust Particles over the Asian Continent: Balloon-borne Optical Particle Counter and Ground-based Lidar Measurements at Dunhuang, China

Measurements of aerosols were made in 2001 and 2002 at Dunhuang (40 degrees 00'N, 94 degrees 30'E), China to understand the nature of atmospheric particles over the desert areas in the Asian continent. Balloon-borne measurements with an optical particle counter suggested that particle size and concentration had noticeable peaks in super micron size range not only in the boundary mixing layer but also in the free troposphere. Super-micron particle concentration largely decreased in the mid tropopause (from 5 to 10 km; above sea level, a.s.l.). Lidar measurements made during August 2002 at Dunhuang suggested the possibility that mixing of dust particles occurred from near the ground to about 6 km even under calm weather conditions, and a large depolarization ratio of particulate matter was found in the aerosol layer. The top of the aerosol layer was found at heights of nearly 6 km (a.s.l.). It is strongly suggested that nonspherical dust particles (Kosa particles) frequently diffused in the free atmosphere over the Taklamakan desert through small-scale turbulences and are possible sources of dust particles of weak Kosa events that have been identified in the free troposphere not only in spring but also in summer over Japanese archipelago. Electron microscopic experiments of the particles collected in the free troposphere confirmed that coarse and nonspherical particles observed by the mineral particle were major components of coarse mode (diameter larger than 1 microm) below about 5 km over Dunhuang, China.     

地下水污染

地下水是土壤里所含的天然水,也是人类最宝贵的自然资源之一。但是令人惊奇的是,人们过去没有对它所受到的污染引起足够的重视。1988年12月5～9日在英国的牛津举行的第150届英国科学促进协会上宣读了一篇论文,提供了许多国家地下水污染的情况。由英国地质测量部的约翰·马瑟发表的关于地下水污染的论文中指出,地下水除冰帽外,占地球上淡水资源的97%。许多国家的大量居民要靠地下水供应生活用水与农业灌溉用水。苏联人口的70%靠地下水生活;美国有一半以上人口用地下水作饮用水,97%的乡村居民全靠地下水生活,包括灌     

Protein that makes sense in the Argentine ant

With a protein-based approach, we have identified and cloned the cDNA encoding a chemosensory protein (LhumCSP) in the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile. The open reading frame of the cloned cDNA encoded a signal peptide (20 residues), and a mature protein (pI 4.62) of 106 amino acid residues. The calculated molecular mass (12,453 Da) was in agreement with the molecular mass measured by on-line chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (12,448 Da), given the formation of two disulfide bridges. LhumCSP shared sequence similarity with various CSPs, particularly those identified and/or cloned from moth species. Also, LhumCSP showed the hallmark of the chemosensory proteins, i.e., four well conserved cysteine residues. The antennal protein was not detected in non-olfactory tissues (leg and thorax) contrary to a putative pheromone-binding protein isolated from the thorax of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. In addition, these findings suggest that, as in Orthopterans and Phasmids, the protein that makes sense in the Argentine ant is not an odorant-binding protein, but rather a chemosensory protein.     

地表水环境监测进展与问题分析

本文在概述地表水环境监测的监测项目、监测方法、监测标准和监测网的建设基础上,分析了地表水环境监测的理化监测方法、生物监测方法和遥感监测方法,并进一步探讨了地表水环境监测中存在的问题及相关对策。研究指出,我国在水环境监测上取得了很大的发展。水环境监测网越织越密,监测技术也在不断地改进和完善中。同时也要认识到我国在地表水环境监测中存在的问题,如水环境区域管理和流域管理的协调、监测站点布局不够优化、监测分析方法落后和监测质量不高等。在今后地表水环境监测中,应加大监测队伍建设,建立统一水环境数据库,对数据进行深入挖掘,服务水环境监测工作。     

赴欧钻井环保培训考察报告

中国石油天然气总公司赴欧钻井环保培训考察团介绍了对法、荷两国钻井环保领域的考察情况。本文全面地介绍了欧洲国家极强烈的环保意识和日益严格的环保标准和管理，专业地介绍了一些欧洲大石油公司清洁生产和处理污染的具体措施，最后，就中国的钻井环保提出了一些建议。     

联合国环境和发展大会报道

联合国环境与发展大会将于1992年6月1～12日在巴西里约热内卢举行。出席这次大会的代表共达1万人。出席会议的代表有联合国秘书长以及160个联合国会员国的代表,其中包括国家首脑与政府首脑及其工作人员。出席会议的还有大批政府间组织与联合国组织的代表以及大约2000名特约记者和非政府组织的代表。出席这次