Longitudinal increases in PCDD/F and dl-PCB concentrations in human milk in northern China

There is a dearth of information on the temporal changes in polychlorinated dibenzodioxin/furans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) contamination, in both environmental and biological specimens, in China. We compared the concentrations of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs in human milk collected in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, in northern China in 2002 (n=30) and 2007 (n=20). The level of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs showed an increasing trend. The mean concentrations of PCDD/Fs plus dl-PCBs were 4.47 TEQ pg g(-1) fat and 6.24 TEQ pg g(-1) fat in human milk from Shijiazhuang in 2002 and in 2007, respectively. Based on statistical analysis of questionnaire data collected by in-person interviews with mothers, we found positive correlations between consumption of sea fish and PCDFs. The PCDDs, PCDFs, PCDD/Fs, and PCDD/Fs plus dl-PCBs levels in individuals consuming greater amounts of sea fish were higher than those consuming less sea fish, both with and without adjustments for potential confounding factors. Among 17 congeners of PCDD/Fs, the 2,3,7,8-TCDF, 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF, 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF, 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF, 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF, and 2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF congener concentrations in 2007 increased 134%, 55%, 53%, 57%, 65% and 130% when compared to 2002 levels, respectively. The 2007 dl-PCB congener levels were greater than those of the 2002 samples, with the exception of PCB81 and PCB77. Specifically, PCB105, PCB114, PCB118, PCB123 and PCB156 had increased greater than twofold from 2002 to 2007. Continuous surveillance of PCDD/F and dl-PCB levels in human milk is needed to accurately evaluate both environmental contamination and the human health risk to neonates in China.     

Bioethanol from sea lettuce with the use of crude enzymes derived from waste

The mid-gut gland of the scallop contains saccharification enzymes such as cellulase and amylase, and these enzymes have been disposed of together with the mid-gut gland after the removal of the adductor muscle, an edible part of the scallop. We used a drip from the mid-gut gland of the scallop, obtained by squeezing the gland, as an inexpensive enzyme mixture and tried to produce bioethanol from the glucans present in sea lettuce by the method of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) with the use of baker’s yeast. The ethanol concentration attained was as high as 7.2 g/L, which corresponded to ~37% of the conversion of glucans in sea lettuce in the solid-state SSF. Furthermore, we ascertained that the drip and sea lettuce contain nutrients that are indispensable for maintaining the yeast activity, and, thus, the SSF did not require any additional nutrients, such as yeast extract or peptone, the use of which increases the cost of fermentation to a high level.     

Effect of tributyltin on veliger larvae of the Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum

We investigated the effects of waterborne and maternal exposure to tributyltin (TBT) on veliger larvae of the Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum. In a waterborne exposure test, veliger larvae (D-larvae stage: 24h after fertilization) were exposed to TBT at measured concentrations of <0.01 (control), 0.055, 0.130, 0.340, and 0.600microg/l for 13d. The percentage of normal veliger larvae (the ratio of normal veliger larvae to all larvae) decreased significantly in all TBT treatment groups compared with that in the control group. In a maternal exposure test, 100 clams were exposed to TBT at measured concentrations of <0.01 (control), 0.061, and 0.310microg/l at 20-22 degrees C for 3 weeks, and the percentage of normal veliger larvae assessed for 13d. No maternal effects on veliger larvae from TBT were observed in TBT treatment groups as compared with the control group. These results demonstrate that waterborne TBT affects Manila clam veliger larvae, and indicates that TBT may have reduced Manila clam populations by preventing the development and survival of veliger larvae.     

Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in blood collected from 195 pregnant women in Sapporo City, Japan

We measured the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), non-ortho coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (non-ortho PCBs), and mono-ortho coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (mono-ortho PCBs) in blood collected between 2002 and 2004 from 195 pregnant women living in Sapporo City of Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. The present study is one of the few studies in which PCDDs, PCDFs, and dioxin-like PCBs have been measured in the blood of pregnant women. Of the 195 pregnant women, 101 were primipara (mean: 28.8 years) and 94 were multipara (mean: 32.4 years). The arithmetic mean total TEQ concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs, non-ortho PCBs, and mono-ortho PCBs of primiparous and multiparous mothers in Sapporo City were 17.4 (median: 15.7) and 14.0 (median: 13.9)pgTEQ/glipid, respectively, and the concentrations were in the range of 6.6-43.4 and 3.4-28.2pgTEQ/glipid, respectively. In regard to the relationship between the total TEQ concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs, non-ortho PCBs, and mono-ortho PCBs in maternal blood and the number of deliveries or age of primiparous and multiparius mothers, the levels of these dioxin-like compounds tended to decrease with increases in the number of deliveries and significantly increased with increasing maternal age in both groups. Furthermore, significant correlations were observed between the total TEQ concentrations of these dioxin-like compounds and the age of primiparae and multiparae. The total TEQ concentration of PCDDs, PCDFs, non-ortho PCBs, and mono-ortho PCBs measured in 195 pregnant women has decreased compared to past levels in Japan for the last several decades. The results of the present study have indicated that dioxin contamination in the blood of young women in Japan is continuing to decrease.     

Immunologic effects of perinatal exposure to dioxins, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in Japanese infants

Effects of perinatal exposure to dioxins, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides on lymphocyte subsets were investigated in the peripheral blood from 101 Japanese infants with approximately 10 months of age. Perinatal exposure to these organochlorine compounds were estimated by their contamination levels in the breast milk of the mothers. Lymphocyte subsets such as CD16+, HLA-DR+, CD4+, CD4+8+, CD8+, CD3+ and CD20+ cells in peripheral venous blood were assessed in a subgroup of 92 infants. Greater exposures to HCE, chlordane and dioxins were significantly associated with the increase in the percentages of CD8+ and CD3+ T lymphocytes and CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratios, respectively. In addition, higher HCH exposure was also associated with a decrease in the percentage of HLA-DR+ T lymphocytes. Furthermore effects of dioxins, DDT and PCBs on the percentage of CD16+ T lymphocyte were more pronounced by the combined exposure of dioxins and PCBs or by the combined exposure of DDT and PCBs. Effects of HCE on the percentages of CD8+ T lymphocyte were also more pronounced by the combined exposure of HCE and chlordane. In conclusion, our study suggests that greater exposures to dioxins, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides determined in this study (except dieldrin) influence the immune system of Japanese infant, although the clinical significance of these changes is uncertain.     

Vertical distributions of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) caused from organochlorine pesticides in a sediment core taken from Ariake bay, Japan

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) of organochlorine pesticides such as dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDTs) and its metabolites, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), heptachlor, chlordane compounds (CHLs), aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, mirex and isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCHs), were analyzed in sediment cores collected from Ariake Bay, Japan. Although Chikugo River has the largest flow in Ariake Bay, the total concentration of POPs in surface sediment was found in St.3, mouth of the Yabe River, where that level was two times higher than St.1, mouth of the Chikugo River. It could be assumed that the potential source of POPs contamination is relatively close to this study area. Relatively high residue levels of HCB, HCHs and DDTs in sediment core were found during the period from 1967 to 1970. In this layer, the HCB concentration investigated in sediment cores of Ariake Bay was maximum, 2.6 ng g(-1) dry weight and higher than that of Tokyo Bay and subsequently detected in deeper sediment cores. The ratio of (DDD+DDE)/SigmaDDTs was high in top sediments (0-2 cm). Although there was a concentration of DDTs in the top sediment, it was noticed that DDT emission did not cause direct input of DDT recently. The HCHs determined in upper sediment cores might be originated from long-range accumulation in environment after dispersing of technical-grade HCH. Moreover, the CHLs, dieldrin and heptachlor concentrations were detected and recently increased in sediment core. POPs in sediment cores of Ariake Bay based on the possibility of PCP contamination during the early 1960s were reflected.     

Levels and regional trends of persistent organochlorines and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Asian breast milk demonstrate POPs signatures unique to individual countries

Human breast milk samples collected in 2007–2008 from four countries, Vietnam (Hanoi), China (Beijing), Korea (Seoul) and Japan (Sendai, Kyoto and Takayama), were analyzed for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), chlordane-related compounds (CHLs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Comparing with previous surveys, the present study indicates that the DDTs in breast milk from China and Vietnam had gradually decreased during the last decade, but were still 5–10 times higher than those in other nations. The ratios of p,p′-DDE/p,p′-DDT and o,p′-DDT/p,p′-DDT were higher in Beijing than in the other countries, suggesting that there is less fresh intake of commercial DDT products and a possible exposure to dicofol in China. CHL and PCB levels were relatively higher in mothers from Japan, whereas β-HCH and HCB were more common in Chinese women. In Japan, it is suspected that mothers in the urban/coastal area (Sendai) were more continuously exposed to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) than mothers in the rural/inland area (Takayama). In addition, OCP levels in primiparae were significantly higher than those in multiparae from Japan and Korea. These indicate that both parity and regional factors are major determinants of the levels of OCPs and PCBs in human milk. On the other hand, higher concentrations of PBDEs were observed in mothers' milk from Korea. The congener was dominated by BDE-47 (43–54%), followed by BDE-153 (23–33%) in all regions except for Beijing where BDE-28 (23%) was relatively abundant. In Japanese breast milk, regional and parity-dependent distributions were not observed for PBDEs. Among PBDE congeners, age-dependency was observed for BDE-153, which was negatively correlated (p < 0.05) to the age of mothers in Kyoto (17 participants were housewives), while it increased with age in Sendai (10 participants were clerks). No such correlation was seen for BDE-47, indicating that BDE-47 was ingested and assimilated via different kinetics or routes from BDE-153 in Japan.     

水体氮磷浓度对两种沉水植物上附着藻类的影响

为了了解富营养化进程中湖泊水体氮、磷浓度升高对不同沉水植物上附着藻类的影响,通过室内模拟实验,设置3组不同氮磷浓度,研究了常见的沉水植物苦草(Vallisneria natans(Lour.)Hara)和狐尾藻(Myriophyllum spicatum L.)上附着藻类生物量及其种群组成.结果表明,附着藻类生物量随水体氮、磷浓度的升高呈显著增加的趋势;狐尾藻上附着藻类生物量均高于苦草,且随富营养化水体氮、磷浓度升高差距越来越大.不同沉水植物上藻类群落组成均以硅藻门、蓝藻门及绿藻门占优势,但优势藻组成和优势藻数量存在差异.研究结果不仅丰富了淡水水体附着藻类生态学的理论知识,也可为富营养化湖泊生态修复过程中沉水植物群落的构建提供一定的理论依据.     

水分管理对重金属在水稻根区及在水稻中积累的影响

选取了酸性矿山废水污灌区重金属污染水稻土,通过盆栽试验,研究了不同水分管理条件（60%最大田间持水量,80%最大田间持水量,最大田间持水量,前期淹水＋抽穗扬花期烤田,全生育期淹水）下水稻根际土壤及其不同器官（稻根、茎叶和籽粒）中As、Cd、Cu和Zn的含量变化。结果表明：土壤水分含量对水稻根际土壤中As、Cu和Zn的含量影响不大。但显著影响水稻不同器官对这3种元素的吸收积累。随着土壤水分含量的增加,水稻根、茎叶和籽粒中As的含量都显著增加;Cu的含量则逐渐减少;水稻茎叶中Zn含量也逐渐减少,但水稻根和籽粒中Zn含量则变化不明显。抽穗扬花期拷田能显著降低As在水稻中的积累,显著增加水稻茎叶中Zn的积累;但不影响水稻各器官中Cu,以及水稻根和籽粒中Zn的含量。此外,虽然这3种重金属在土壤中含量均超标,但在水稻籽粒中含量只有Zn全部超标,而Cu则都不超标,因此,农作物的超标情况并不直接与土壤的重金属超标相联系。     

硅肥施用对重金属污染土壤甘蔗镉吸收的影响研究初探

长期采用受铁矿尾矿水污染的河水进行灌溉的农田,其土壤存在一定重金属镉污染,且土壤酸化严重,有效硅活性低。甘蔗是需硅量较大的植物,因此在甘蔗种植过程中施用碱性硅肥既可补充硅营养又可通过硅肥控制镉的吸收。本试验通过硅肥不同施用量及基肥、基肥＋追肥的施用方式的比较,结果表明：在甘蔗种植中一次性施用硅肥1500 kg·hm-2,可以使土壤中活性较高的弱酸提取态镉占镉总量的比例从38.45%下降到32.51%,而甘蔗不能利用的残渣态镉的占比从11.19%提高到14.78%;硅肥分为基肥与追肥两次施用的方式,其对土壤镉的形态的影响也存在相似的规律,且变化趋势更加显著,弱酸提取态镉占比从40.93%下降到35.47%,降幅更加显著;同样残渣态镉则随着硅肥施用量的增加而增加,其占比从16.26%增加到22.66%;施用硅肥能有效降低甘蔗汁中镉的含量,从一次性作为基肥施用的结果来看,每公顷施用375~1500 kg硅肥,其蔗汁中镉含量随施肥量增加而下降,从168.54μg·L-1降至57.87μg·L-1,降幅为28.26%~60.30%;蔗渣中镉含量也有相似的变化趋势,从468.36μg·kg-1降至377.77μg·kg-1,降幅为7.86%~19.34%;采用基肥＋追肥施用硅肥,无论是蔗汁还是蔗渣,其镉的含量同样随硅肥施用量的增加而下降,蔗汁镉含量的降幅更大,最高可降81.18%,从而达到降低甘蔗汁及蔗渣中镉含量水平的目的。