The role of echinoderms as bioindicators of seawater pollution: A case study from patraicos and corinthiacos Gulf,N. Peloponnesus,Greece

To determine the role of echinoderms as bioindicators of seawater pollution we collected sea‐water and urchin samples from two sites in N. Peloponnesus, Greece. One site was in Patraicos gulf (Patras) and was influenced by point source pollution (urban sewage outfalls) while the second was in Korinthiacos gulf (Akoli) with no evident habitat pollution.

Three heavy metals (copper, nickel and zinc) have been measured in the gonads of two edible species of echinoderms, Arbacia lixula and Paracentrotus lividus.

Statistical treatment of the results showed statistically significant differences in bioaccu‐mulation related to the dry‐weight of gonads, to species, to sex of echinoderms, to season of sampling and to sampling station.

The concentrations of zinc were higher than those of Ni and Cu at in both sampling sites.

Microbiological analysis showed that contamination of the urchins was correlated to that of the surrounding seawater.

Finally both sampling sites seems to be influenced, directly or indirectly, by heavy metal and bacterial habitat pollution.     

Toxic equivalency factor approach for risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The toxic equivalency factor (TEF) method has been developed to evaluate structurally related compounds, sharing a common mechanism of action. Because certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) appear to fit this requirement and are ubiquitous environmental contaminants, these compounds are TEF candidates. Toxicity is often expressed relative to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), the reference standard (e.g., TEF = EC50_BaP/EC50_PAH). BaP‐like toxicity or toxic equivalents (TEQs) can then be calculated: TEQ = S(PAH _i × TEF _i ), where PAH _i and TEF _i are the concentration and TEF, respectively, for individual PAH congeners. Representative TEFs for PAHs were compiled from studies measuring carcinogenic potency and surrogate biomarkers. This review examines the application of TEFs to PAHs with established criteria (i.e., demonstrated need, defined chemical grouping, broad toxicological database, endpoint consistency, additivity, common mechanism of action, consensus). Although all criteria are not satisfied (e.g., endpoint inconsistency, nonadditivity) and more rigorous validation studies are needed, the TEF method is useful when limitations are recognized. Refinements of the method might include incorporation of pharmacokinetic factors and segregation of TEFs derived from mammalian vs. nonmammalian systems to increase endopoint consistency. Probabilistic analysis may also prove useful to assess the range of TEF values reported both within and between human health and ecological risk assessments.     

Trace element distribution in the superficial deposits of Northern Derbyshire,England

In an area of marginal farming, trace element distribution associated with lead, fluorite and baryte mineralization is important to the farmer because of the high infertility rate of the livestock and contamination of plant produce leading to the subsequent failure of the farming economy. Therefore sampling of superficial sediments was undertaken over the mineralized Carboniferous Limestone of North Derbyshire above the medieval lead and the modern fluorite workings. Twenty-seven elements were analyzed using emission spectrophotometry and subsequently compared with the geochemistry of the underlying bedrock. Discrepancies which occur are attributed to the glacial and periglacial action during the Wolstonian and Devensian glacial episodes.     

Zellkompartimentierung am Beispiel der pflanzlichen Vakuole

The significance of membrane-encircled subcellular compartments with regard to requirements of metabolism is shown in the case of the central vacuole of plant cells. This compartment allows the synthesis and storage of secondary products of metabolism which are potentially toxic for the plant. Since unspecific hydrolases are also located in this compartment, it is most probably involved in cellular lytic processes. Moreover, the central vacuoles have important functions in the temporary removal of primary metabolites from the cytoplasm.     

A Method for Determining Source Reduction Required to Meet Air Quality Standards

Governmental boundaries which divide our states frequently do not coincide with the natural geographic and atmospheric conditions affecting regional air pollution problems. Moreover, the control regulations of one state may vary from those of its neighbors. Such areal synthesis of air pollution control measures might only minimally curb the difficulties.

Continuity of control will require cooperation among contiguous states. In this study the attitudes of incumbent elected officials and air pollution experts (both from within the Philadelphia metropolitan area) toward governmental responsiveness have been investigated. It was hypothesized that politicians would want to demonstrate a status quo approach while experts would advocate the creation of an environmental agency for the Philadelphia region’s pollution problems. However, both sample groups responded to the questionnaire survey affirming that they want government to establish an environmental regional control agency, based upon an interstate compact, that has authority strong enough to be a strict enforcing agent. This regional agency should meet all federal conditions and thus receive maximum federal financial assistance. The policy level officials of this agency should be appointed experts—so as to avoid partisan politics, and to acquire the most qualified personnel.