Polybrominated diphenyl ether in the East Asian environment: a critical review

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been extensively used as flame retardants in consumer goods. Sufficient evidence shows that PBDEs have been rapidly accumulating in the environment worldwide. In Asia, deca-bromodiphenyl ether has been produced and used in large quantities, while penta-BDE has largely ceased in the mid-1990s. This paper summarizes and critically reviews the status of PBDE pollution in East Asia, with emphases on the comparisons with Europe and North America and the interpretation of the differences. In general, the concentrations of PBDEs in atmosphere, sludge, human and biological samples of East Asia are comparable to or lower than those in Europe and North America. However, in the sediments of waters near densely populated and heavily industrialized areas, PBDE levels are among the highest ever reported in the literature. In Japan and China, concentrations of PBDEs in sediment cores showed an increasing trend for the past 20-30 years. Also, PBDEs levels in human breast milk in Japan increased about 10-fold in the past 20 years. The presence of PBDEs in fur seal has increased about 150-fold in 1994 than that in 1972. Regional and inter-continental transport cannot be confirmed due to insufficient information. However, the detection of a number of PBDE congeners in a pristine lake on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau may be an evidence of their long-range transport.     

Changes of AhR-mediated activity of humic substances after irradiation

Humic substances (HS) and natural organic matter (NOM) are natural organic compounds ubiquitous in the environment. However, some studies indicate that both HS and NOM can act as xenobiotics, e.g. induce hormone-like effects in fish, amphibians and invertebrates. Molecules of these substances contain a number of aromatic rings and conjugated double bonds--the so called chromophores. Irradiation of dissolved HS and NOM can lead to a series of photochemical reactions which can act on these substances itself, or on other substances present in aquatic environment along with HS and NOM such as e.g. xenobiotics. In our previous study, we have found significant interactions of five humic acids (HA) with cytosolic aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in an in vitro bioassay based on H4IIE-luc cells. In the present study, we have studied the changes in AhR-mediated activities both of HS and NOM after irradiation that simulated natural solar light. Nine different HS and two NOM samples were irradiated in Pyrex tubes with a medium-pressure mercury lamp for a duration of 0 to 52 h (which corresponds to 0-52 d natural solar radiation). Original concentrations of the samples were 50 mg L(-1), and the greatest concentration of HS and NOM photoproducts subsequently tested in the bioassay was 17 mg L(-1), which is an environmentally relevant concentration. After irradiation the absorbances of all the samples were less than the original materials. The AhR-mediated activity of the HA-Fluka and HA Sodium Salt were partially decreased by irradiation. The activities of other HS and NOM, that were either AhR-active or -inactive were not changed by irradiation. The results of the study demonstrate that AhR-mediated activities of two active HA is caused by both photo-stable and photo-labile AhR activators, while the other three active HA contain only photo-stable AhR activators. Potential mechanisms of the observed irradiation-induced changes in AhR-mediated activities are discussed.     

Analysis of radiocaesium in the Lebanese soil one decade after the Chernobyl accident

Fallout from the Chernobyl reactor accident due to the transport of a radioactive cloud over Lebanon in the beginning of May 1986 was studied 12 years after the accident for determining the level of (137)Cs concentration in soil. Gamma spectroscopy measurements were performed by using coaxial high sensitivity HPGe detectors. More than 90 soil samples were collected from points uniformly distributed throughout the land of Lebanon in order to evaluate their radioactivity. The data obtained showed a relatively high (137)Cs activity per surface area contamination, up to 6545Bqm(-2) in the top soil layer 0-3cm. The average activity of (137)Cs in the top soil layer 0-3cm in depth was 59.7Bqkg(-1) dry soil ranging from 15 to 119Bqkg(-1) dry soil. The horizontal variability was found to be about 45% between the sampling sites. The depth distribution of total (137)Cs activity in soil showed an exponential decrease. Estimation of the annual effective dose due to external radiation from (137)Cs contaminated soil for selected sites gave values ranging from 19.3 to 91.6 micro Svy(-1).     

赤水河流域生物多样性保护现状和对策

基于对赤水河流域生物多样性的综合调研,分析了赤水河流域生物多样性的主要特征、流域生物多样性保护的现状、面临的机遇和潜在的压力,探讨了赤水河流域生物多样性保护的基本对策。提出赤水河流域生物多样性保护应在国家政策框架内,在流域综合管理理念指导下兼顾重点区域保护和生态廊道建设,探索流域尺度上生物多样性保护与流域社会经济协调有序发展的新型管理模式。     

Generic approaches to transfer

A review of methods which have been used to describe and predict transfer of radionuclides in biota was undertaken. The intent was to identify approaches that might prove useful in extending predictive estimates to other organisms and environments. Empirical approaches, such as found in the use of transfer factors, were examined. Kinetic methodologies were also presented. Allometric functions, with their ability to make broad generalizations, were also discussed. Data from several earlier radioecological assessments were tested for their potential utility in developing allometric relationships, with the result implying that such an approach might prove useful.     

The value of Seasonal Correction Factors in assessing the health risk from domestic radon: a case study in Northamptonshire, UK

Following an intensive survey of domestic radon levels in the United Kingdom (UK), the former National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), now the Radiation Protection Division of the Health Protection Agency (HPA-RPD), established a measurement protocol and promulgated Seasonal Correction Factors applicable to the country as a whole. Radon levels in the domestic built environment are assumed to vary systematically and repeatably during the year, being generally higher in winter. The Seasonal Correction Factors therefore comprise a series of numerical multipliers, which convert a 1-month or 3-month radon concentration measurement, commencing in any month of the year, to an effective annual mean radon concentration. In a recent project undertaken to assess the utility of short-term exposures in quantifying domestic radon levels, a comparative assessment of a number of integrating detector types was undertaken, with radon levels in 34 houses on common geology monitored over a 12-month period using dose-integrating track-etch detectors exposed in pairs (one upstairs, one downstairs) at 1-month and 3-month resolution. Seasonal variability of radon concentrations departed significantly from that expected on the basis of the HPA-RPD Seasonal Correction Factor set, with year-end discontinuities at both 1-month and 3-month measurement resolutions. Following this study, monitoring with electrets was continued in four properties, with weekly radon concentration data now available for a total duration in excess of three and a half years. Analysis of this data has permitted the derivation of reliable local Seasonal Correction Factors. Overall, these are significantly lower than those recommended by HPA-RPD, but are comparable with other results from the UK and from abroad, particularly those that recognise geological diversity and are consequently prepared on a regional rather than a national basis. This finding calls into question the validity of using nationally aggregated Seasonal Correction Factors, especially for shorter exposures, and the universal applicability of these corrections is discussed in detail.     

A systemic health risk assessment for the chromium cycle in Taiwan

Health risk assessment (HRA) has been recognized as a useful tool for identifying health risks of human activities. In particular, this method has been well applied to spatially defined units, such as a production plant, a treatment facility, and a contaminated site. However, the management strategies based on the risk information will be more efficient if the comprehensive picture of total risks from all kinds of sources is depicted. In principle, the total risks can be obtained when all risk sources are assessed individually. Apparently, this approach demands huge amount of efforts. This study develops a methodology that combines substance flow and risk estimation to facilitate examination of risk in a systemic way and provide comprehensive understanding of risk generation and distribution corresponding to flows of substances in the anthroposphere and the environment. Substance flow analysis (SFA) and HRA method is integrated to produce a systemic risk assessment method, from which substance management schemes can be derived. In this study, the chromium cycle in Taiwan is used as an example to demonstrate the method, by which the associated substance flow in the economy and the risk caused by the substance in the environmental system is determined. The concentrations of pollutants in the environmental media, the resultant risks and hazard quotients are calculated with the widely-used CalTOX multimedia model.     

曝气调节-水解酸化-生物接触氧化工艺处理城镇生活污水

介绍了采用曝气调节-水解酸化-两级生物接触氧化为主的工艺处理城镇生活污水的工程实例。经过调试运行,污水处理系统运行稳定,工艺运行成本低,污染物处理效果好。其中COD、BOD5、SS与氨氮去除率均在85%以上,出水水质优于GB 8978-1996《污水综合排放标准》一级排放标准。     

五种重点关注的重金属废渣的处理方法与利用现状

近年来,随着我国经济的迅速发展,重金属废渣的总量逐步扩大,引发了很多社会、经济、环境问题,成为了企业和环保领域关注的热点问题,国家近期提出了五种需重点关注的重金属废渣。本文在对国内外资料的总结和回顾的基础上,着重论述了这五种重金属废渣的来源、产量,对于现在常用的各种处理方式进行对比分析,指出其优缺点;总结了一般重金属废渣的处理模式,提出了自己的看法;展望了重金属废渣处理技术的发展方向。     

Competition of bloom-forming marine phytoplankton at low nutrient concentrations

Competition of three bloom-forming marine phytoplankton (diatom Skeletonema costatum, and dinoflagellates Prorocentrum minimum and Alexandrium tamarense) was studied through a series of multispecies cultures with di erent nitrate (NaNO3) and phosphate (NaH2PO4) levels and excess silicate to interpret red tide algae succession. S. costatum outgrew the other two dinoflagellates in nitrate and phosphate replete cultures with 10 mol/L Na2SiO3. Under nitrate limited (8.82 mol/L NaNO3) conditions, the growth of S. costatum was also dominant when phosphate concentrations were from 3.6 to 108 mol/L. Cell density of the two dinoflagellates only increased slightly, to less than 400 and 600 cells/mL, respectively. Cell density of S. costatum decreased with time before day 12, and then increased to 4000 cells/mL (1.5 mg/L dry biomass) at NaNO3 concentrations between 88.2 and 882 mol/L with limited phosphate (0.36 mol/L NaH2PO4) levels. In addition, P. minimum grew well with a maximal cell density of 1690–2100 cells/mL (0.5–0.6 mg/L dry biomass). Although S. costatum initially grew fast, its cell density decreased quickly with time later in the growth phase and the two dinoflagellates were dominant under the nitrate-limited and high nitrate conditions with limited phosphate. These results indicated that the diatom was a poor competitor compared to the two dinoflagellates under limited phosphate; however, it grew well under limited nitrate when growth of the dinoflagellates was near detection limits.