Sorption and desorption of sulfadiazine in soil and soil-manure systems

Sulfadiazine is a widely used veterinary medicine that has high potential to enter the environment, especially the soil compartment by the application of manure on agricultural land and grass land or by the deposition of dung pats on pasture. Once it reaches the soil environments, it may enter into surface and ground water. Therefore, sorption-desorption behavior of sulfadiazine was studied under laboratory conditions in five different soils varying in their physicochemical properties. A batch equilibration technique was used with initial aqueous solution concentration of sulfadiazine at 5, 0.5, 0.05, and 0.005 microg mL(-1). Sorption-desorption data in soils with and without manure were well fitted with Freundlich model in log form (r(2), 0.99). A sorption-desorption hysteresis effect was apparent in all soils. A significant amount of sulfadiazine was found tightly bound to the soil particles and did not desorb after the desorption process. Moreover, presence of manure enhanced hysteresis effect. Hysteresis coefficient (H) value from soils in absence of manure (0.9-1.0) increased to the soils in presence of manure (0.9-1.8). Soils in the absence of manure showed low level of K(D Sorp.) values ranging from 0.1 to 24.3, suggesting low level sorption of sulfadiazine with appreciable risk of run-off and leaching, and in turn, surface and ground water contamination. However, presence of manure increased the sorption tendency of sulfadiazine significantly (K(D Sorp.), 6.9-40.2). K(D) values pertaining to desorption cycle increased from 1.2-90.4 to 10.4-167.3 in absence and presence of manure, respectively.     

Intestinal absorption of the acetamiprid neonicotinoid by Caco-2 cells: transepithelial transport, cellular uptake and efflux

The human intestinal absorption of acetamiprid (AAP) using the Caco-2 cell line reveals that AAP flux was active in a bidirectional mode with an apparent permeability coefficient of 26 x 10(-6) cm x s(-1) at 37 degrees C. Apical uptake was concentration-dependent and unsaturated for AAP concentrations up to 200 micro M. AAP cell preloading demonstrated the involvement of active transport mechanisms. Arrhenius plot analysis revealed an unusual profile with two apparent activation energies suggesting two transport processes. Uptake Vi studies indicated the involvement of a sodium-dependent transporter, the presence of a common transporter of AAP and nicotine and the involvement of Ti-sensitive ATP-dependent efflux transporters. Apical efflux investigations showed the involvement of inward active transporter(s). Whereas vincristine had no effect on intracellular accumulation, taxol and daunorubicin treatments unexpectedly led to 10% and 23% reductions respectively, suggesting that the latter shared a common inward transporter with AAP. All these results suggest full and express AAP absorption in vivo with transport involving both inward and outward, passive and active mechanisms. Thus, AAP or its metabolites could be representative of a risk for human health after its ingestion in food.     

Improving performance of eco-industrial parks

Abstract

Industrial Ecology hypothesises that networks of industries designed to be analogous to the structure and properties of food webs may approach a similarly sustainable and efficient state. Although ecology is the metaphor for designing Eco-Industrial Parks (EIPs), prior research has shown that EIPs are inferior in performance compared to natural ecosystems. One EIP design approach is to enlarge EIPs by combining two or more synergistic networks to create a larger, and hopefully more successful, synergistic mega-network. A quantitative analysis using structural ecosystem metrics is presented in this paper in order to test the potential of this approach. The findings indicate that merely enlarging EIPs by significant amounts may not be the best strategy for improving performance, but that special attention should be placed on the inclusion of key actors like agriculture that act like detritivores and promote more intense internal cycling.     

Riparian buffer strips as a multifunctional management tool in agricultural landscapes: introduction

Catchment riparian areas are considered key zones to target mitigation measures aimed at interrupting the movement of diffuse substances from agricultural land to surface waters. Hence, unfertilized buffer strips have become a widely studied and implemented "edge of field" mitigation measure assumed to provide an effective physical barrier against nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sediment transfer. To ease the legislative process, these buffers are often narrow mandatory strips along streams and rivers, across different riparian soil water conditions, between bordering land uses of differing pollution burdens, and without prescribed buffer management. It would be easy to criticize such regulation for not providing the opportunity for riparian ecosystems to maximize their provision for a wider range of ecosystem goods and services. The scientific basis for judging the best course of action in designing and placing buffers to enhance their multifunctionality has slowly increased over the last five years. This collection of papers aims to add to this body of knowledge by giving examples of studies related to riparian buffer management and assessment throughout Europe. This introductory paper summarizes discussion sessions and 13 selected papers from a workshop held in Ballater, UK, highlighting research on riparian buffers brought together under the EU COST Action 869 knowledge exchange program. The themes addressed are (i) evidence of catchment- to national-scale effectiveness, (ii) ecological functioning linking terrestrial and aquatic habitats, (iii) modeling tools for assessment of effectiveness and costs, and (iv) process understanding enabling management and manipulation to enhance pollutant retention in buffers. The combined understanding led us to consider four principle key questions to challenge buffer strip research and policy.     

Split-level Plumes

Two recent power plant plume studies by mobile, ground-based and airborne lidar have recorded cross-section images of plumes with sharply-defined layered and connected bands of aerosol in the vertical. Of the external parameters considered, wind direction and speed changes in the vertical were found to be associated most with these plume types. Statistical analyses indicate that both direction and speed shear are highly correlated with the layered plumes.     

Unregulated greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from current technology heavy-duty vehicles

The study presents the measurement of carbonyl, BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene), ammonia, elemental/organic carbon (EC/OC), and greenhouse gas emissions from modern heavy-duty diesel and natural gas vehicles. Vehicles from different vocations that included goods movement, refuse trucks, and transit buses were tested on driving cycles representative of their duty cycle. The natural gas vehicle technologies included the stoichiometric engine platform equipped with a three-way catalyst and a diesel-like dual-fuel high-pressure direct-injection technology equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR). The diesel vehicles were equipped with a DPF and SCR. Results of the study show that the BTEX emissions were below detection limits for both diesel and natural gas vehicles, while carbonyl emissions were observed during cold start and low-temperature operations of the natural gas vehicles. Ammonia emissions of about 1 g/mile were observed from the stoichiometric natural gas vehicles equipped with TWC over all the driving cycles. The tailpipe GWP of the stoichiometric natural gas goods movement application was 7% lower than DPF and SCR equipped diesel. In the case of a refuse truck application the stoichiometric natural gas engine exhibited 22% lower GWP than a diesel vehicle. Tailpipe methane emissions contribute to less than 6% of the total GHG emissions.

Implications: Modern heavy-duty diesel and natural gas engines are equipped with multiple after-treatment systems and complex control strategies aimed at meeting both the performance standards for the end user and meeting stringent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions regulation. Compared to older technology diesel and natural gas engines, modern engines and after-treatment technology have reduced unregulated emissions to levels close to detection limits. However, brief periods of inefficiencies related to low exhaust thermal energy have been shown to increase both carbonyl and nitrous oxide emissions.     

Sorption of selected pesticides on soils,sediment and straw from a constructed agricultural drainage ditch or pond

Buffer zones such as ponds and ditches are used to reduce field-scale losses of pesticides from subsurface drainage waters to surface waters. The objective of this study was to assess the efficiency of these buffer zones, in particular constructed wetlands, focusing specifically on sorption processes. We modelled the sorption processes of three herbicides [2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-MCPA), isoproturon and napropamide] and three fungicides (boscalid, prochloraz and tebuconazole) on four substrates (two soils, sediment and straw) commonly found in a pond and ditch in Lorraine (France). A wide range of Freundlich coefficient (K _fads) values was obtained, from 0.74 to 442.63 mg^1???n ?L ⁿ ?kg^?1, and the corresponding K _foc values ranged from 56 to 3,725 mg^1???n ?L ⁿ ?kg^?1. Based on potential retention, the substrates may be classified as straw >> sediments > soils. These results show the importance of organic carbon content and nature in the process of sorption. Similarly, the studied pesticides could be classified according to their adsorption capacity as follows: prochloraz >> tebuconazole–boscalid > napropamide >> MCPA–isoproturon. This classification is strongly influenced by the physico-chemical properties of pesticides, especially solubility and K _oc. Straw exhibited the largest quantity of non-desorbable pesticide residues, from 12.1 to 224.2 mg/L for all pesticides. The presence of plants could increase soil–sediment sorption capacity. Thus, establishment and maintenance of plants and straw filters should be promoted to optimise sorption processes and the efficiency of ponds and ditches in reducing surface water pollution.     

Kinetic aspects and identification of by-products during the ozonation of bitertanol in agricultural wastewaters

The degradation of bitertanol by ozone treatment is investigated. Solutions of bitertanol (8.4 μg mL^?1) were prepared either by dissolution of the standard or by dilution of Gaucho Blé seed loading solution and then ozonated under different conditions. Evolution of the concentrations of bitertanol and its ozonation by-products in both solutions was monitored by HPLC–UV as a function of the treatment time for a concentration of 100 g m^?3 of ozone in the inlet gas. Bitertanol degradation was found to follow a pseudo-first order reaction in both cases. However, the rate of the reaction in diluted seed loading solution was much lower (0.19 vs. 0.27 min^?1 in standard solution) and was close to the reaction rate observed in the presence of a radical scavenger, tert-butanol (0.11 min^?1). Thus, it may be suggested that additives present in the seed loading solution may play the role of radical scavengers. Study of ozone concentration in the inlet gas (from 25 to 100 g m^?3) showed that ozone degradation is also a first-order reaction with respect to ozone. Four ozonation by-products were highlighted, collected and identified by HPLC coupled with an ion trap mass spectrometer using positive electrospray ionization mode. A degradation pathway of bitertanol was finally proposed.     

Fish and seafood availability in markets in the Baie des Chaleurs region, New Brunswick, Canada: a heavy metal contamination baseline study

The consumption of halieutic products has many health benefits. However, their contaminants loads need to be addressed to better understand the risk from consuming these products. The aquatic biota from the Baie des Chaleurs in New Brunswick is contaminated by cadmium, zinc and lead. In spite of this, no study has examined the heavy metal concentrations in commercial halieutic products sold in this Canadian region. The objective of this pilot study was to characterize the species and origin of fish and seafood sold in the Baie des Chaleurs region by using an ecosystemic approach. Additionally, a baseline picture of the heavy metal levels found in these products has been determined. In 2008, interviews were carried out in markets located in the Baie des Chaleurs area. Species that were identified as the most purchased were then bought for analysis. Samples were freeze-dried and homogenized before nitric acid digestions. Aluminum, copper, cadmium, iron, manganese, and zinc concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Results show that 36 % of seafood species sold in markets were caught in the Baie des Chaleurs. Lobsters, shrimps, scallops and oysters are the most purchased species regardless of the season. High amounts of cadmium exceeding tolerable daily intake are found in lobster hepatopancreas and can cause deleterious effects on health, in particular in vulnerable populations such as children and heavy consumers. The ecosystemic approach to health used in this pilot study shows the feasibility of an exhaustive study on the exposure of coastal population to heavy metal from fish and seafood consumption and the source of halieutic products sold in markets.