Dietary exposure to di-isobutyl phthalate increases urinary 5-methyl-2′-deoxycytidine level and affects reproductive function in adult male mice

Phthalates are a large family of ubiquitous environmental pollutants suspected of being endocrine disruptors. Epidemiological studies have associated phthalate metabolites with decreased reproductive parameters and linked phthalate exposure with the level of urinary 5-methyl-2′-deoxycytidine(5mdC, a product of methylated DNA). In this study, adult male mice were exposed to 450 mg di-isobutyl phthalate(DiBP)/(kg·day) via dietary exposure for 28 days. Mono-isobutyl phthalate(Mi BP, the urinary metabolite) and reproductive function parameters were determined. The levels of 5mdC and 5-hydroxymethyl-2′-deoxycytidine(5hmdC) were measured in urine to evaluate if their contents were also altered by DiBP exposure in this animal model. Results showed that DiBP exposure led to a significant increase in the urinary 5mdC level and significant decreases in sperm concentration and motility in the epididymis, accompanied with reduced testosterone levels and downregulation of the P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme(P450scc) gene in the mice testes. Our findings indicated that exposure to DiBP increased the urinary 5mdC levels,which supported our recent epidemiological study about the associations of urinary 5mdC with phthalate exposure in the male human population. In addition, DiBP exposure impaired male reproductive function, possibly by disturbing testosterone levels; P450scc might be a major steroidogenic enzyme targeted by DiBP or other phthalates.     

Biodegradation of phthalate esters by two bacteria strains

In this study two aerobic phthalic acid ester (PAE) degrading bacteria strains, DK4 and O18, were isolated from river sediment and petrochemical sludge, respectively. The two strains were found to rapidly degrade PAE with shorter alkyl-chains such diethyl phthalate (DEP), dipropyl phthalate (DPrP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), benzylbutyl phthalate (BBP) and diphenyl phthalate (DPP) are very easily biodegraded, while PAE with longer alkyl-chains such as dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCP) and dihexyl phthalate (DHP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) are poorly degraded. The degradation rates of the eight PAEs were higher for strain DK4 than for strain O18. In the simultaneous presence of strains DK4 and O18, the degradation rates of the eight PAEs examined were enhanced. When the eight PAEs were present simultaneously, degradation rates were also enhanced. We also found that PAE degradation was delayed by the addition of nonylphenol or selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at a concentration of 1 microg/g in the sediment. The bacteria strains isolated, DK4 and O18, were identified as Sphigomonas sp. and Corynebacterium sp., respectively.     

Rapid degradation of butachlor in wheat rhizosphere soil

The degradative characteristics of butachlor in non-rhizosphere, wheat rhizosphere, and inoculated rhizosphere soils were measured. The rate constants for the degradation of butachlor in non-rhizosphere, rhizosphere, and inoculated rhizosphere soils were measured to be 0.0385, 0.0902, 0.1091 at 1 mg/kg, 0.0348, 0.0629, 0.2355 at 10 mg/kg, and 0.0299, 0.0386, 0.0642 at 100 mg/kg, respectively. The corresponding half-lives for butachlor in the soils were calculated to be 18.0, 7.7, 6.3 days at 1 mg/kg, 19.9, 11.0, 2.9 days at 10 mg/kg, and 23.2, 18.0, 10.8 days at 100 mg/kg, respectively. The experimental results show that the degradation of butachlor can be enhanced greatly in wheat rhizosphere, and especially in the rhizosphere inoculated with the bacterial community designated HD which is capable of degrading butachlor. It could be concluded that rhizosphere soil inoculated with microorganisms-degrading target herbicides is a useful pathway to achieve rapid degradation of the herbicides in soil.     

Perfluorinated compounds in the Pearl River and Yangtze River of China

A total of 14 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were quantified in river water samples collected from tributaries of the Pearl River (Guangzhou Province, south China) and the Yangtze River (central China). Among the PFCs analyzed, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were the two compounds with the highest concentrations. PFOS concentrations ranged from 0.90 to 99 ng/l and <0.01–14 ng/l in samples from the Pearl River and Yangtze River, respectively; whereas those for PFOA ranged from 0.85 to 13 ng/l and 2.0–260 ng/l. Lower concentrations were measured for perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorooctanesulfoamide (PFOSA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorononaoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA). Concentrations of several perfluorocarboxylic acids, including perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA), perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA), perfluorohexadecanoic acid (PFHxDA) and perfluorooctadecanoic acid (PFOcDA) were lower than the limits of quantification in all the samples analyzed. The highest concentrations of most PFCs were observed in water samples from the Yangtze River near Shanghai, the major industrial and financial centre in China. In addition, sampling locations in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River with a reduced flow rate might serve as a final sink for contaminants from the upstream river runoffs. Generally, PFOS was the dominant PFC found in samples from the Pearl River, while PFOA was the predominant PFC in water from the Yangtze River. Specifically, a considerable amount of PFBS (22.9–26.1% of total PFC analyzed) was measured in water collected near Nanjing, which indicates the presence of potential sources of PFBS in this part of China. Completely different PFC composition profiles were observed for samples from the Pearl River and the Yangtze River. This indicates the presence of dissimilar sources in these two regions.     

PAH and soot emissions from burning components of medical waste: examination/surgical gloves and cotton pads

This is a laboratory investigation on the emissions from batch combustion of representative infectious ("red bag") medical waste components, such as medical examination latex gloves and sterile cotton pads. Plastics and cloth account for the majority of the red bag wastes by mass and, certainly, by volume. An electrically heated, horizontal muffle furnace was used for batch combustion of small quantities of shredded fuels (0.5-1.5 g) at a gas temperature of approximately 1000 degrees C. The residence time of the post-combustion gases in the furnace was approximately 1 s. At the exit of the furnace, the following emissions were measured: CO, CO2, NOx, particulates and polynuclear aromatic compounds (PACs). The first three gaseous emissions were measured with continuous gas analyzers. Soot and PAC emissions were simultaneously measured by passing the furnace effluent through a filter (to collect condensed-phase PACs) and a bed of XAD-4 adsorbent (to capture gaseous-phase PACs). Analysis involved soxhlet extraction, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results were contrasted with previously measured emissions from batch combustion of pulverized coal and tire-derived fuel (TDF) under similar conditions. Results showed that the particulate soot) and cumulative PAC emissions from batch combustion of latex gloves were more than an order of magnitude higher than those from cotton pads. The following values are indicative of the relative trends (but not necessarily absolute values) in emission yields: 26% of the mass of the latex was converted to soot, 11% of which was condensed PAC. Only 2% of the mass of cotton pads was converted to soot, and only 3% of the weight of that soot was condensed PAC. The PAC yields from latex were comparable to those from TDF. The PAC yields from cotton were higher than those from coal. A notable exception to this trend was that the three-ring gas-phase PAC yields from cotton were more significant than those from latex. Emission yields of CO and CO2 from batch combustion of cotton were, respectively, comparable and higher than those from latex, despite the fact that the carbon content of cotton was half that of latex. This is indicative of the more effective combustion of cotton. Nearly all of the mass of carbon of cotton gasified to CO and CO2 while only small fractions of the carbon in latex were converted to CO2 and CO (20% and 10%, respectively). Yields of NOx from batch combustions of latex and cotton accounted for 15% and 12%, respectively, of the mass of fuel nitrogen indicating that more fuel nitrogen was converted to NOx in the former case, possibly due to higher flame temperatures. No SO2 emissions were detected, indicating that during the fuel-rich combustion of latex, its sulfur content was converted to other compounds (such as H2S) or remained in the soot.     

Electrochemical oxidation of bisphenol A. Application to the removal of bisphenol A using a carbon fiber electrode

Leachate samples with a high strength of ammonium-nitrogen (NH4+-N) were collected from a local landfill site in Hong Kong. Two experiments were carried out to study (1) the inhibition of microbial activity of activated sludge by NH4+-N and (2) the chemical precipitation of NH4+-N from leachate as a preliminary treatment prior to the activated sludge process. The experimental results demonstrated that the efficiency of COD removal decreased from 97.7% to 78.1%, and the dehydrogenase activity of activated sludge decreased from 9.29 to 4.93 microg TF/mg MLSS, respectively, when the NH4+-N concentration increased from 53 to 800 mg/l. The experiment also demonstrated that the NH4+-N in the leachate can be quickly precipitated as MgNH4PO4 x 6H2O after addition of MgCl2 x 6H2O + Na2HPO4 x 12H2O. The NH4+-N concentration was reduced from 5618 to 112 mg/l within 15 min when a molar ratio of Mg2+:NH+:PO4(3-) = 1:1:1 was used. The optimum pH to reach the minimum solubility of MgNH4PO4 x 6H2O was found to be in the range of 8.5-9.0. Attention should be given to the high salinity formed in the treated leachate by using MgCl2 x 6H2O + Na2HPO4 x 12H2O, which may affect microbial activity in the following biological treatment processes. Using two other combinations of chemicals [MgO + 85%H3PO4 and Ca(H2PO4)2 x H2O + MgSO4 x 7H2O] could minimise salinity generation after precipitation, while they were less efficient for NH4+-N removal.     

Comparative study of extraction methods for the determination of PAHs from contaminated soils and sediments

The following four methods were compared on the extraction efficiency of 16 EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): German method of the Verband Deutscher Landwirtschaftlicher Untersuchungs und Forschungsanstalten (VDLUFA), two methods of the International Organization for Standardization using shaking (ISO A) and Soxhlet extraction (ISO B) and an ultrasonic method. Recovery rates of 16 PAHs were determined in two soils. Extraction efficiency was evaluated in five soils and three sediments. Effect of drying soils and sediments on extraction efficiency was tested using the VDLUFA and the ultrasonic methods. Our study shows that the number of aromatic rings, rather than extraction procedures, significantly influenced recovery rates of individual PAHs. No significant differences in extraction efficiency of the four methods were observed for less polluted samples. For highly polluted soils, extraction efficiency decreased in the following order: VDLUFA method > ISO A > ultrasonic method > ISO B. Influence of soil moisture on extraction efficiency depended to some extent on both solvent used and content of PAHs in samples. A mixture of dichloromethane/acetone (5:1) is recommended for PAH extraction from moist samples when the ultrasonic method is used.     

沂北水稻主产区田间土—水磷素流失潜能

选取嘉善、余姚、德清、余杭4个具有代表性浙北水稻主产区，研究了水田土－水磷素流失潜能及环境意义。4稻区高水平磷肥投入促进了土壤高磷化，土壤Olsen-P积累的同时,相应地提高了土壤生物性有效磷、水浸提磷，并提高了土壤磷素的流失潜能。稻区土壤在富磷化过程中，存在着土壤磷素的农学意义向环境意义方向演变的趋势。在非植稻期，稻区农田水体，包括沟渠水、田表水、排渠水、暗管排水等总磷（TP）平均超过了易诱发水体富营养化临界值，其中溶解磷（DRP）占总磷40％；主要是源于绿肥田表水及部分排渠中的溶解磷对稻区外水体构成了直接危害。在非植稻期，因稻区间农耕措施的差异导致了土壤富磷水平与对应田表水磷素水平不具相关性；在植稻期，施磷措施促进水田土壤富磷，相应地提高了田表水磷素水平。     

Melting and stone production using MSW incinerated ash

Most of the municipal solid waste (MSW) in Japan is incinerated and the generated ash is landfilled. However, environmental pollution problems have increased and Japan has decreased final disposal sites for landfills. With the application of a melting system, the volume of incinerated ash can be reduced and the effective use of melted slag is being developed for use in civil engineering works. However, the low strength of melted slag as a vitreous structure has limited its effective use. As a solution for this deficiency, a technology to crystallize melted slag into higher strength produced stones was developed. With the joint cooperation of Chiba Prefecture and Kamagaya City, a demonstration plant for melting and stone production with a capacity of 4.8 tons of incinerator ash per day was constructed. The demonstration test was conducted from May 1998 to June 1999 with satisfactory results stated below. Long-term stable operation and performance of the plant have been confirmed and effective applications of produced stones have been demonstrated on a commercial scale. The results are as follows. 1. A stable, continuous operation and good quality produced stones have been confirmed by treating more than 750 tons of MSW incinerated ash. 2. More than 99.9% of dioxins contained in the incinerated ash were decomposed, and the concentration of dioxins in produced stones were less than the detection limit set by Japanese environmental standards. 3. Leaching values of hazardous heavy metals of produced stones sufficiently met the environmental standard on soil pollution of the Environment Agency with superior leaching behavior for the vitreous slag, thus confirming their safe applications. 4. The effective application of produced stones for aggregate was tested based on Japanese Industrial Standards and every figure of test results met the Japanese standard values. The use of produced stones as raw materials for permeable pavement blocks has been confirmed in commercial construction for a park in Chiba Prefecture. Asphalt use was also demonstrated by paving a commercial roadway in Kamagaya City.     

Influence of sugarcane bagasse-derived biochar application on nitrate leaching in calcaric dark red soil

Application of biochar has been suggested to improve water- and fertilizer-retaining capacity of agricultural soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of bagasse charcoal (sugarcane [ L.] bagasse-derived biochar) on nitrate (NO) leaching from Shimajiri Maji soil, which has low water- and fertilizer-retaining capacity. The nitrate adsorption properties of bagasse charcoal formed at five pyrolysis temperatures (400-800° C) were investigated to select the most suitable bagasse charcoal for NO adsorption. Nitrate was able to adsorb onto the bagasse charcoal formed at pyrolysis temperatures of 700 to 800° C. Nitrate adsorption by bagasse charcoal (formed at 800° C) that passed through a 2-mm sieve was in a state of nonequilibrium even at 20 h after the addition of 20 mg N L KNO solution. Measurements suggested that the saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of bagasse charcoal (800° C)-amended soils are affected by changes in soil tortuosity and porosity and the presence of meso- and micropores in the bagasse charcoal, which did not contribute to soil water transfer. In NO leaching studies using bagasse charcoal (800° C)-amended soils with different charcoal contents (0-10% [w/w]), the maximum concentration of NO in effluents from bagasse charcoal-amended soil columns was approximately 5% less than that from a nonamended soil column because of NO adsorption by bagasse charcoal (800° C). We conclude that application of bagasse charcoal (800°C) to the soil will increase the residence time of NO in the root zone of crops and provide greater opportunity for crops to absorb NO.