Energy resource reallocation in Daphnia schodleri (Anomopoda: Daphniidae) reproduction induced by exposure to hexavalent chromium

Cladocerans are able to store energy in the form of macromolecules such as proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. However, their ability to do so depends to a large extent on their physiological and reproductive condition as well as their age. These macromolecules constitute the total caloric reserves of the body and may be modified as a result of environmental stress conditions by either physical or nutritional factors or by exposure to toxic compounds. Neonates of the freshwater cladoceran Daphnia schodleri were exposed to 0.0064, 0.032 and 0.064 mg L⁻¹ of hexavalent chromium - Cr(VI) - up to age 5, 7, 14, 21 or 28 d. Survival and fecundity of parthenogenetic females was evaluated for 28 d (maximum exposure period). Body length and maximum width were determined in specimens of all ages. Caloric content was evaluated in progeny and females within each age group. Female survival was significantly lower with exposure to 0.064 mg L⁻¹ of Cr(VI) than with other treatments, and negative effects on reproduction were observed from the lowest concentration on. Largest adult size was attained by control specimens towards the end of the observation period, but no significant differences in neonate size occurred between concentrations. Energy content decreased in adults as toxicant concentration increased, but these females allocated a larger amount of energy reserves to their progeny as a possible compensation aimed at ensuring neonate survival in an adverse environment due to toxicant presence. Sublethal concentrations of Cr(VI) modified energy content in D. schodleri, affecting to varying degrees its survival, growth and reproduction.     

Growth and Histopathological Effects of Chronic Exposition of Marine Pejerrey Odontesthes argentinensis Larvae to Petroleum Water-Soluble Fraction (WSF)

The water-soluble fraction (WSF) of petroleum contains a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile hydrocarbons, phenols, and heterocyclic compounds, considered deleterious to aquatic biota. Marine “pejerrey” Odontesthes argentinensis (Teleostei: Atherinopsidae) has a great commercial importance in local fisheries and a high potential for aquaculture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological effects in “pejerrey” larvae exposed to different concentrations of petroleum WSF. The chronic toxicity test was conducted with newly hatched larvae exposed for 21 days to sublethal concentrations of WSF (2.5, 5, 10, and 20 % of WSF), plus one control. Survival and growth were significantly lower in the highest concentration. Several histopathological changes were found in the gills (e.g., hyperplasia, aneurisms, edema, and necrosis), kidney (e.g., nuclear alterations, decrease in the hematopoietic cells), and liver (e.g., hypertrophy, karyorrhexis, and karyopyknosis). An index of branchial lesion was proposed to standardize gill lesions to different pollutants.     

Deterioration of bioplastic carrier bags in the environment and assessment of a new recycling alternative

Increasing environmental concerns and the introduction of technologies based on renewable resources have stimulated the replacement of persistent petroleum-derived plastics with biodegradable plastics from biopolymers. As a consequence, a variety of products are currently manufactured from bioplastic, including carrier bags. This series of studies investigated the deterioration of carrier bags made with Mater-Bi (MB), a starch-based bioplastic, in soil, compost and two aquatic ecosystems, a littoral marsh and seawater. Results from the laboratory study indicated that bioplastic carrier bags were rapidly deteriorated in soil and compost. After three months of incubation, weight loss of specimens was of 37% and 43% in soil and compost, respectively. Conversely, little deterioration was observed in specimens buried in soil under field conditions or exposed to water of a littoral marsh and of the Adriatic Sea. These findings were consistent with the greater number of bacteria and especially fungi capable of degrading MB that were recovered from soil and compost with respect to the two aquatic ecosystems. Considering that a variety of microbial isolates are capable of using MB as a source of carbon, a new alternative to recycle these MB-based carrier bags was explored. More specifically, starchy residues from bags were fermented by the fungus Rhizopus oryzae to produce up to 35 mg of lactic acid per g of bag residues.     

Environmental and lifestyle factors affect benzene uptake biomonitoring of residents near a petrochemical plant

Background

We monitored urinary benzene excretion to examine factors affecting benzene uptake in a sample of the general population living near a petrochemical plant.

Methods

Our study population included 143 subjects: 33 petrochemical plant workers (W) with low level occupational benzene exposure; 30 residents in a small town 2 km from the plant (2kmR); 26 residents in a second small town located 2 to 4 km from the plant (4kmR); and 54 urban residents 25 km from the plant (25kmR). Exposure to benzene was evaluated by personal air sampling during one work-shift for the W group, and from 8.00 to 20:00 for general population subgroups, and by urinary benzene (BEN-U).

Results

Median airborne benzene exposure was 25, 9, 7 and 6 μg/m³ benzene among the W, 2kmR, 4kmR, and 25kmR subgroups, respectively; the highest level was found among the workers, while there was no significant difference among the other groups. Median BEN-U was 2 to 14-fold higher in smokers compared to non-smokers; among non-smokers BEN-U was the highest in W (median 236 ng/L), and lower in the 2kmR (48 ng/L) and 4kmR (63 ng/L) subgroups than in the 25kmR (120 ng/L) subgroup. A multiple linear regression analysis, explaining up to 73% of BEN-U variability, confirmed that active smoking and airborne benzene most strongly affected BEN-U. Among the non-smoking, non-occupationally exposed study subjects, a positive association was found between BEN-U and the distance of residence from the plant. This association was explained by increased exposure to urban traffic emissions in the study group residing at a greater distance from the plant. Environmental tobacco smoke had a marginally positive role.

Conclusion

Among factors affecting benzene uptake in non-occupationally exposed individuals, urban residence contributes to benzene exposure more than residing in close proximity to a petrochemical plant.     

Metal separation from mixed types of batteries using selective precipitation and liquid-liquid extraction techniques

The purpose of this paper is to study metal separation from a sample composed of a mixture of the main types of spent household batteries, using a hydrometallurgical route, comparing selective precipitation and liquid-liquid extraction separation techniques. The preparation of the solution consisted of: grinding the waste of mixed batteries, reduction and volatile metals elimination using electric furnace and acid leaching. From this solution two different routes were studied: selective precipitation with sodium hydroxide and liquid-liquid extraction using Cyanex 272 [bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphoric acid] as extracting agent. The best results were obtained from liquid-liquid extraction in which Zn had a 99% extraction rate at pH 2.5. More than 95% Fe was extracted at pH 7.0, the same pH at which more than 90% Ce was extracted. About 88% Mn, Cr and Co was extracted at this pH. At pH 3.0, more than 85% Ni was extracted, and at pH 3.5 more than 80% of Cd and La was extracted.     

Urinary methyl tert-butyl ether and benzene as biomarkers of exposure to urban traffic

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and benzene are added to gasoline to improve the combustion process and are found in the urban environment as a consequence of vehicular traffic. Herein we evaluate urinary MTBE (MTBE-U) and benzene (BEN-U) as biomarkers of exposure to urban traffic. Milan urban policemen (130 total) were investigated in May, July, October, and December for a total of 171 work shifts. Personal exposure to airborne benzene and carbon monoxide (CO), and atmospheric data, were measured during the work shift, while personal characteristics were collected by a questionnaire. A time/activity diary was completed by each subject during the work shift. Spot urine samples were obtained for the determination of MTBE-U and BEN-U. Median personal exposure to CO and airborne benzene were 3.3 mg/m(3) and 9.6 μg/m(3), respectively; median urinary levels in end-of-shift (ES) samples were 147 ng/L (MTBE-U) and 207 ng/L (BEN-U). The time spent on traffic duty at crossing was about 40% of work time. Multiple linear regression models, taking into account within-subject correlations, were applied to investigate the role of urban pollution, atmospheric conditions, job variables and personal characteristics on the level of biomarkers. MTBE-U was influenced by the month of sampling and positively correlated to the time spent in traffic guarding, CO exposure and atmospheric pressure, while negatively correlated to wind speed (R(2) for total model 0.63, P<0.001). BEN-U was influenced by the month and smoking habit, and positively correlated to urinary creatinine; moreover, an interaction between CO and smoking was found (R(2)=0.62, P<0.001). These results suggest that MTBE-U is a reliable marker for assessing urban traffic exposure, while BEN-U is determined mainly by personal characteristics.     

Critical analysis of the waste management performance of two uranium production units in Brazil--part II: Caetite production center

This paper discusses the environmental waste management of the Heap-Leach Uranium Production Facility of Caetité located in a semi-arid region in Brazil. A comparison is made with the first uranium production site of the country located in Poços de Caldas. It is demonstrated that differences in the operational process along with different environmental conditions can lead to different impacts. In the present case groundwater is the potential most sensitive environmental medium despite the well-established consensus in the literature that radon and aerosol emissions may turn-out to be the most relevant environmental aspects of an installation located at this type of region. Most of the ²²⁶Ra content in the ore remains in the leached ore that is deposited with the waste rock. A lack in appropriate prediction of the hydrological balance has been causing unanticipated emissions of liquid effluents into the environment. Chemical treatment of this effluent may be needed. Contamination of groundwater in the short term by the waste ponds is not to be expected but it can be a relevant issue in the long term. As a consequence, careful closure schemes will need to be put in place. Finally, the overall costs with remediation in the Caetité production center are lower than those observed at the Poços de Caldas mining site.     

Intermediate distributions and primary yields of phenolic products in nitrobenzene degradation by Fenton's reagent

Nitrobenzene thermal degradation was investigated using the Fenton reagent in different experimental conditions. Reaction products were analyzed by HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS and IC. The products obtained at different nitrobenzene conversion degrees show that degradation mainly involves successive hydroxylation steps of the aromatic ring and its subsequent opening followed by oxidation of corresponding aliphatic compounds. Our results show as primary reaction products: 4-nitrophenol, 3-nitrophenol, 2-nitrophenol, phenol and 1,3-dinitrobenzene, indicating that both hydroxylation and nitration reactions are involved. The formation of phenolic products can be explained by postulating an initial step of HO() addition to nitrobenzene ring. The mechanisms of primary reaction pathways are discussed and a detailed kinetic analysis to obtain the true primary yields of phenolic products is proposed. The relative yields observed for nitrophenol isomers do not follow the expected orientation according to deactivating characteristics of the nitro group but significantly depend on Fe(+2), Fe(+3), H(2)O(2) and O(2) concentrations. The understanding of the effect of reaction conditions on the relative product distribution benefits the application of Fenton and Fenton-like systems to waste water treatment.     

Bioaccumulation of metals and effects of a landfill in small mammals. Part II. The wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus

We assess the bioaccumulation of metals (Pb, Hg, Cd, Fe, Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, Cr) and effects of landfill leachates on morphological (RI, relative weights), plasma (GPT, GOT, creatinine), and genotoxic (MNT) parameters in wood mice, Apodemus sylvaticus, inhabiting close the Garraf landfill site (NE Spain). Due to the high age- and sex-dependent variation in wild populations, we also studied the effect of these biotic factors on the parameters studied. Wood mice from the landfill site, sited in a partially protected area, showed more Cd, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, and Cr than specimens from the reference site. Moreover, mice near the landfill registered low RI and high relative renal weight, GPT, and MN frequency, which indicate that the landfill affects the health of wild mice. In contrast to sympatric shrews from a previous study, wood mice showed lower bioaccumulation of metals and lower variation caused by biotic factors. Moreover, the morphological and physiological alterations demonstrated that they were also more sensitive at environmental pollution. Given the contribution of small mammals to ecosystem function and the scarce ecotoxicological data on the effects of landfill pollution on wild terrestrial mammals, we consider that our study can be used to improve the management of this protected area.     

Cephalopods and cetaceans as indicators of offshore bioavailability of cadmium off Central South Brazil Bight

Regarding Brazilian coast, industrial and urban developments are concentrated along Central South Brazil Bight. Samples from inshore and offshore species from the concerned area were analyzed, comprising 24 cetaceans (9 species) and 32 squids (2 species). Cadmium was determined by GFAAS and our results were in agreement with certified values (DOLT-2, NRCC). Mean cadmium concentration (in microg/g, wet weight) observed in the digestive gland of sexually mature Argentine short-finned squids (Illex argentinus) was 1002.9. To our knowledge this is the highest cadmium level ever reported for a cephalopod. Concerning cetaceans, our results include one of the highest renal cadmium concentrations described for striped dolphins (71.29 microg/g, wet weight). Anthropogenic action, upwelling and cannibalism of Argentine short-finned squid on the studied area are possible reasons for such remarkable cadmium concentrations.