Design of water quality monitoring networks with two information scenarios in tropical Andean basins

Design and redesign of water quality monitoring networks were evaluated for two similarly sized watersheds in the tropical Andes via optimization techniques using geographic information system technology (GIS) and a matter-element analysis of 5-day biological oxygen demand (BOD₅) and total suspended solids (TSS). This resulted in a flexible, objectively based design for a 1128-km² watershed without prior water quality data (La Miel River), and a network redesign of a 1052-km² watershed with historical water quality monitoring (Chinchiná River). Monitoring design for the undocumented basin incorporated mathematical expressions for physical, anthropological, and historical factors—and was based on clear objectives for diagnosis and intervention of water pollution. Network redesign identified network redundancy, which resulted in a 64% reduction in the number of water quality monitoring stations along the channel, and a 78% reduction of stations throughout the basin. Most tropical drainage basins throughout the world have little to no prior water quality data. But even in well-studied drainage basins like the Chinchiná River, which is among the most thoroughly studied basins in Colombia, redesign of historical and existing monitoring networks will become a standard tool to advance the restoration of polluted surface waters, not only in Colombia, but also throughout the world.     

Assessing demineralization treatments for PVC effluent reuse in the resin polymerization step

To reduce fresh water consumption in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plant, the effluent from a biological treatment must be demineralized to be re-used in the resin polymerization process. Demineralization is a critical process, since the quality and the stability of the PVC resins are highly influenced by the water quality used in the process. The main target values for water parameters are the following: conductivity <10 μScm^?1, TOC < 10 mg L^?1, and Al < 0.1 mg L^?1. To achieve this quality, several reverse osmosis membranes from different materials and suppliers were tested and compared in the demineralization treatment. Polyamide membranes showed higher salt rejection compared to cellulose acetate membranes yielding both types similar flux and permeability. Two-pass reverse osmosis treatment was necessary to reach conductivities lower than 10 μS cm^?1. On the other hand, a good quality effluent for reuse was obtained by combining RO and ionic exchange resins. Results showed that good quality PVC resins in terms of color, granulometry, porosity, and bulk density were obtained when demineralized water from two-pass reverse osmosis was used as fresh water, proving the feasibility of the effluent reuse in the PVC industry.     

Renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sectors of European Union member states: a panel data analysis

In the last two decades, there has been a rich debate about the environmental degradation that results from exposure to solid urban waste. Growing public concern with environmental issues has led to the implementation of various strategic plans for waste management in several developed countries, especially in the European Union. In this paper, the relationships were assessed between economic growth, renewable energy extraction and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the waste sector. The Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis was analysed for the member states of the European Union, in the presence of electricity generation, landfill and GHG emissions for the period 1995 to 2012. The results revealed that there is no inverted-U-shaped relationship between income and GHG emissions in European Union countries. The renewable fuel extracted from waste contributes to a reduction in GHG, and although the electricity produced also increases emissions somewhat, they would be far greater if the waste-based generation of renewable energy did not take place. The waste sector needs to strengthen its political, economic, institutional and social communication instruments to meet its aims for mitigating the levels of pollutants generated by European economies. To achieve the objectives of the Horizon 2020 programme, currently in force in the countries of the European Union, it will be necessary to increase the share of renewable energy in the energy mix.     

Influence of dissolved organic matter and oil on the biosorption of BTEX by macroalgae in single and multi-solute systems

The effect of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and oil on the removal of the water-soluble compounds benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers (BTEX) by two low-cost biosorbents Macrocystis pyrifera and Ulva expansa) was evaluated. DOM decreased the adsorption capacity of toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes of the two biosorbents. In contrast, the removal of benzene increased under the same conditions in single and multi-solute systems: this effect was dominant in U. expansa biomass treatments. In the presence of DOM and oil in solutions, the removal of BTEX notoriously increased, being oil that contributed the most. Solubility and hydrophobicity of pollutants played a key role in the adsorption process. The attractions between BTEX molecules and biosorbents were governed by π–π and hydrophobic interactions. Affinities of biosorbents for BTEX were mainly in the order of X > E > T > B. The Langmuir and Sips equations adjusted the adsorption isotherms for BTEX biosorption in deionized and natural water samples, but in the case of oily systems, the Freundlich equation seemed to have a better fit. The biosorption processes followed a pseudo-second-order rate in all the cases.     

Earthworm ecotoxicological assessments of pesticides used to treat seeds under tropical conditions

Ecotoxicological laboratory tests (lower-tier tests) are fundamental tools for assessing the toxicity of pesticides to soil organisms. In this study, using these tests under tropical conditions, we quantified the impact of the insecticides imidacloprid, fipronil, and thiametoxam, and the fungicides captan and carboxin + thiram, all of which are used in the chemical treatment of crop seeds, on the survival, reproduction, and behavior of Eisenia andrei (Oligochaeta). With the exception of imidacloprid, none of the pesticides tested caused mortality in E. andrei in artificial soils. The LC₅₀ of imidacloprid was estimated as 25.53 mg active ingredient kg^?1 of dry soil. Earthworm reproduction rates were reduced by imidacloprid (EC₅₀ = 4.07 mg kg^?1), fipronil (EC₂₀ = 23.16 mg kg^?1), carboxin + thiram (EC₅₀ = 56.38 mg kg^?1), captan (EC₅₀ = 334.84 mg kg^?1), and thiametoxam (EC₅₀ = 791.99 mg kg^?1). Avoidance behavior was observed in the presence of imidacloprid (AC₅₀ = 0.11 mg kg^?1), captan (AC₅₀ = 33.54 mg kg^?1), carboxin + thiram (AC₅₀ = 60.32 mg kg^?1), and thiametoxam (AC₅₀ = >20 mg kg^?1). Earthworms showed a preference for soils with the insecticide fipronil. Imidacloprid was the most toxic of the substances tested for E. andrei. The avoidance test was the most sensitive test for most pesticides studied, but results varied between pesticides. These results offer new insights on the toxicity of pesticides used to treat seeds in tropical regions. However, they should be complemented with higher-tier tests in order to reduce the uncertainties in risk assessment.     

The conversion of chicken manure to biooil by fast pyrolysis I. Analyses of chicken manure,biooils and char by 13C and 1H NMR and FTIR spectrophotometry

Fast pyrolysis of chicken manure produced two biooils (Fractions I and II) and a residual char. All four materials were analyzed by chemical methods, ¹³C and 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometry (¹³C and 1H NMR), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrosphotometry (FTIR). The char showed the highest C content and the highest aromaticity. Of the two biooils Fraction II was higher in C, yield and calorific value but lower in N than Fraction I. The S and ash content of the two biooil fractions were low. The Cross Polarization Magic Angle Spinning (CP-MAS) ¹³C NMR spectrum of the initial chicken manure showed it to be rich in cellulose, which was a major component of sawdust used as bedding material. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra of the two biooils indicated that Fraction I was less aromatic than Fraction II. Among the aromatics in the two biooils, we were able to tentatively identify N-heterocyclics like indoles, pyridines, and pyrazines. FTIR spectra were generally in agreement with the NMR data. FTIR spectra of both biooils showed the presence of both primary and secondary amides and primary amines as well as N-heterocyclics such as pyridines, quinolines, and pyrimidines. The FTIR spectrum of the char resembled that of the initial chicken manure except that the concentration of carbohydrates was lower.     

Challenges in assessing the toxic effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to marine organisms: a case study on the acute toxicity of pyrene to the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.)

The acute toxicity (96 h) of pyrene (PY) to European seabass (Dicentrachus labrax) juveniles assessed in a semi-static bioassay (SSB) with medium renewal at each 12 h, and in a static bioassay (SB) without medium renewal was compared in laboratorial conditions (water PY concentrations: 0.07-10 mg L⁻¹). Main findings in the SSB that assessed mainly the toxicity of PY and its metabolites were: increased levels of bile PY metabolites in good agreement with the profile of lipid peroxidation levels (LPO) in exposed fish relating PY exposure and oxidative damage; increased levels of PY-type compounds in the brain indicating their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier; increased levels of these substances in liver and muscle which are edible tissues for humans thus raising concern on potential adverse effects on consumers of fish from PY contaminated areas; a significant inhibition of glutathione S-transferase activity suggesting its involvement in PY detoxication as toxicant scavenger; finally, an almost complete impairment of the swimming velocity at all the PY concentrations linking sub-individual to higher population level effects. In the SB, where the overall toxicity of PY, its metabolites and environmental degradation products was evaluated, 19% and 79% of PY decay in test media was found at 12 and 96 h, respectively. In general, the effects were similar to those of SSB but with significant effects being induced at higher PY concentrations indicating that the parental compound is more toxic than its environmental degradation products. The other main differences relatively to the SSB were: increased levels of PY-type substances in the liver suggesting more accumulation in this organ. Therefore, these findings highlight the need of carefully considering experimental design options when assessing the toxicity of readily degradable substances to marine fish, and stress the importance of taking into consideration the toxicity of environmental degradation products in addition to toxic effects of the parental substance and its metabolites for marine ecological risk assessment.     

Developmental exposure to diuron causes splenotoxicity in male Sprague-Dawley rat pups

This study investigated whether perinatal exposure to diuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-1-dimethylurea] might exert adverse effects on rat lymphoid organs. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were exposed to diuron at 500, 750 or 1250 ppm in the diet from gestational days (GD) 12-21 and during lactation. At postnatal day (PND) 42, male pups were euthanized and thymus, spleen, mesenteric lymph node and femur were collected for histopathological analysis. Food consumption and body weight gain were significantly reduced in dams exposed to 1250 ppm during gestation period. Also, Diuron at 750 and 1250 ppm produced: (1) increased relative spleen weight associated histologically with severe congestion in red pulp, (2) enhanced extramedullary hematopoiesis and hemosiderosis as well as (3) depletion of lymphoid follicles in white pulp. Flow cytometric analysis revealed a significant reduction in B lymphocytes (CD45RA+) in male pups but T lymphocytes (CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+) were not markedly affected. Thus, data suggest that Diuron-induced maternal toxicity in dams exposed to high dose and perinatal exposure to this herbicide produced spleen toxicity as evidenced by a reduction in B lymphocyte number in male SD pups.     

Toxicity persistence in runoff and soil from experimental soybean plots following insecticide applications

Persistence of toxicity in runoff water and soil was investigated in experimental soybean plots subjected to successive runoff events following pesticide application. Runoff events were produced by irrigation using a sprinkler system. The pesticides applied were cypermethrin and endosulfan, which are widely used in soy production in Argentina. Toxicity tests were performed on two abundant components of the regional fauna, the amphipod Hyalella curvispina and the fish Cnesterodon decemmaculatus. Runoffs from two pesticide applications were assayed at different stages of the growing season: an early application when the soil was almost bare and a late one close to harvest, when the ground was covered by vegetation and just before soy leaves fell. Toxicity to H. curvispina in runoff ceased almost one month after the early application of the two pesticides, while it persisted for over three months after the late application. Soil toxicity to H. curvispina and runoff toxicity to C. decemmaculatus followed the same pattern. Higher temperatures and solar radiation are likely to have enhanced insecticide degradation after the early application. Lower temperatures and solar radiation in combination with increased organic matter from litter probably contributed to the longer persistence of toxicity recorded after the late application, as compared with the early application. Cypermethrin caused no mortality to C. decemmaculatus after the early application, while endosulfan toxicity persisted for almost four months after the late one.     

Plasma esterases in the tegu lizard Tupinambis merianae (Reptilia, Teiidae): impact of developmental stage, sex, and organophosphorus in vitro exposure

Purpose  

In this study, we determined normal serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and carboxylesterase (CbE) activities in Tupinambis merianae in order to obtain reference values for organophosphorus pesticide monitoring.