Energy reserves and accumulation of metals in the ground beetle Pterostichus oblongopunctatus from two metal-polluted gradients

Living in an area chronically polluted with metals is usually associated with changes in the energy distribution in organisms due to increased energy expenses associated with detoxification and excretion processes. These expenses may be reflected in the available energy resources, such as lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins. In this context, the energy status of Pterostichus oblongopunctatus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) was studied in two metal pollution gradients near Olkusz and Miateczko ?l?skie in southern Poland. Both regions are rich in metal ores, and the two largest Polish zinc smelters have been operating there since the 1970s. Beetles were collected from five sites at each gradient. Zinc and cadmium concentrations were measured in both the soil and the beetles. The possible reduction in energy reserves as a cost of detoxifying assimilated metals was evaluated biochemically by determining the total lipid, carbohydrates, and protein contents. At the most polluted sites, the Zn concentration in the soil organic layer reached 2,906 mg/kg, and the Cd concentration reached 55 mg/kg. Body Zn and Cd concentrations increased with increasing soil Zn and Cd concentrations (p?=?0.003 and p?=?0.0001, respectively). However, no relationship between pollution level and energetic reserves was found. The results suggest that populations of P. oblongopunctatus inhabiting highly metal-polluted sites are able to survive without any serious impact on their energy reserves, though they obviously have to cope with elevated body metal concentrations.     

Accumulation of heavy metals and antioxidant responses in Vicia faba plants grown on monometallic contaminated soil

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of soil contamination by selected metals (cadmium, copper, nickel, lead or zinc) on the antioxidant response of Vicia faba plants. The levels of the antioxidants: glutathione, proline, non-protein thiols, as well as guaiacol peroxidase and catalase activities were measured in the upperparts of plants. Additionally, the potential bioavailability of metals in the soil and their concentrations in V. faba plants were compared. Treatment with metal caused the problem of an elevation in its bioavailability in soil and its concentration in leaves and stems. The most serious problems seemed to be metal elevations in soil, especially Zn and Ni as well as in the aerial parts of V. faba plants. The antioxidant responses appeared to be metal specific. The elevation of guaiacol peroxidase activity in leaves and stems as well as the proline in leaves was the only more general reaction to metal exposure. Upon analysis of the effects of soil metal contamination on V. faba plants, we recommend the use of some measurements such as guaiacol peroxidase activity and proline level as useful tools in biological monitoring.     

Characteristics and distribution of analyzed metals in soil profiles in the vicinity of a postflotation waste site in the Bukowno region, Poland

The lead–zinc industry in the Bukowno region of southern Poland has polluted the surface layer of the surrounding soils mainly with lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), and thallium (Tl). Analysis of six soil profiles, taken on the east side of the postflotation waste site of the Mining and Metallurgical Plants ZGH "Boles?aw" in Bukowno, showed that they were podzol soils, taking form of loose sands with neutral pH and reducing conditions. Concentration of organic matter in the horizons ranged from 2 to 80 %. The main components of the mineral soil were quartz, carbonates, K-feldspars, plagioclases, and micas (sericite). The highest total concentrations of metals were found in the O, A, and B horizons. Over 90 % of the Cd content, 80 % of the Pb content, 60 % of the Zn content, ～60 % of the Tl content, and 20 % of the As content occurred as mobile forms. The corresponding total concentrations were 10 mg/kg Cd, 922 mg/kg Pb, 694 mg/kg Zn, <1 mg/kg Tl, and <5 mg/kg As. This can potentially be taken up from the soil and transported in the trophic chain. Comparing the total metal content with the legal limits in Poland, it is observed, that the investigated soils exceeded the permissible levels of Cd, Pb, and Zn for agricultural soils. Arsenic and Tl are not reflected in the chemical quality of soil classifications.     

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) residues in European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) from north-western Poland

The purpose of this study was to evaluate polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) contamination levels in roe and red deer from north-western Poland and to assess environmental pollution in this area. A quantitative analysis was conducted using a capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method. The mean concentrations of ΣPCBs (sum of PCBs: 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180) in liver samples were 30.24±12.35 ng·g^?1 of lipid weight (l.w.) in roe deer and 60.13±14.23 ng·g^?1 l.w. in red deer, compared with 24.21±10.02 and 45.22±9.77 ng·g^?1 in the lungs of roe and red deer, respectively. PCBs 138, 153 and 180 were the dominant congeners in the liver samples of the analysed animals, whereas PCB 138 and 153 in the lungs. TEQs levels calculated for only dioxin-like PCBs were low: 0.32 and 0.29 pg WHO-PCB-TEQ·g^?1 fat in liver of red deer and roe deer, respectively. The mean PCB concentrations obtained in our study for organs of roe deer and red deer were several times lower than those reported elsewhere. These findings show that the investigated roe and red deer originated from an area with low levels of PCB contamination.     

Biodegradation of beet molasses vinasse by a mixed culture of micro organisms: Effect of aeration conditions and pH control

Upon aeration, the mixed microbial SCD ProBio OriginalTM culture may be used as the first stage in a two- or multi-stage system for the biodegradation of beet molasses vinasse.     

Visual Strain and Lighting Preferences of VDT Users Under Different Lighting Systems

Lighting influences users’ visual strain and well-being. Therefore creating lighting that ensures visual work conditions do not result in visual fatigue is a preventive activity. The aim of the study was to model different lighting systems for visual display terminal (VDT) work and to determine their influence on users’ visual strain and preferences. The results of the study showed that visual fatigue was lowest for indirect and compound lighting systems. On the other hand, in general, direct lighting realized by “dark-light” luminaires was the most preferred lighting system. Some interesting differences related to age, gender, and VDT work experience were found. On the basis of the obtained results lighting designers can be provided with some guidance.     

Stressful work characteristics,health indicators and work behavior: the case of machine operators

This article shows the results of research on psychosocial risks for a group of machine and plant operators (n?=?1014) from the construction, chemical, energy, mining, metal and food industries in Poland. The Psychosocial Risk Scale designed in Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM) by Moscicka-Teske and Potocka was used to indicate the occurrence of general and specific occupational stressors and the level of their stressfulness. The results revealed that the studied machine and plant operators experience job context stress – related to working environment features concerning work organization – more frequently than job content stressors – related to the type of tasks they perform. Moreover, a correlation analysis between work features and the health and occupational functioning of the respondents revealed significant but weak relationships between the variables (from ?0.08 to ?0.23). Comparative analysis revealed the differences between the studied sectors. Such a comparison makes it possible to set goals for each sector and to attempt to improve the distinctive areas.     

Preliminary study of acrylamide monomer decomposition during methane fermentation of dairy waste sludge

Polyacrylamide(PAM) used in sludge dewatering exists widely in high-solid anaerobic digestion. Acrylamide is registered in the list of chemicals demonstrating toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. Therefore, it is reasonable to ask about the mobility of such residual substances in the environment. The study was carried out to assess the impact of the mesophilic(39 ± 1°C) and thermophilic(54 ± 1°C) fermentation process on the level of acrylamide monomer(AMD) content in the dairy sludge. The material was analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) for quantification of AMD. The results indicate that the process of methane fermentation continues regardless of the temperature effects on the degradation of AMD in dairy sludge. The degree of reduction of acrylamide monomer for thermophilic fermentation is 100%, while for mesophilic fermentation it is91%. In practice, this means that biogas technology eliminates the risk of AMD migration to plant tissue. Moreover, it should be stressed that 90% of cumulative biogas and methane production was reached one week earlier under thermophilic conditions — the dynamics of the methanisation process were over 20% faster.     

The challenges in the identification of Escherichia coli from environmental samples and their genetic characterization

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Escherichia coli bacteria are an essential indicator in evaluations of environmental pollution, which is why they must be correctly identified. This...