Occurrence of pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in water of the Nile river at the estuaries of Rosetta and Damiatta branches,north of delta,Egypt

Abstract

A study was conducted from summer 1995 to summer 1997 to assess the seasonal occurrence of pesticide residues and other organic contaminants, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in water at the estuaries of Rosetta and Damiatta branches of the Nile river. The results indicated that organochlorine compounds (OCs) including HCB, lindane, p,p‘‐DDE, p,p‘DDD, p,p‘‐DDT, aroclor 1254 and aroclor 1260 were present in all the water samples at concentration levels ranging between 0.195–0.240, 0.286–0.352, 0.035–0.067, 0.019–0.033, 0.024–0.031, 0.390–0.70 and 0.166–0.330 μg/l, respectively. The levels of these compounds were higher in water of Damiatta branch than those found in water of Rosetta branch. Aldrin, dieldrin and endrin were not detected in all water samples. Only 4 compounds from 36 organophosphorus insecticides, fungicides and s‐triazine herbicides tested were detected in water samples collected during summer and autumn seasons from Rosetta branch. The concentration levels of these detected compounds, dimethoate, malathion, captan, and ametryne, ranged from 0.011 to 0.340 μg/l, respectively. Similar compounds during the same seasons as found in water of Rosetta branch were also detected in water of Damiatta branch except ametryne. The levels of the detected compounds (dimethoate, malathion and captan) ranged between 0.030 and 0.330 μg/l. The levels of detected organophosphorus insecticides, fungicides and s‐triazine herbicides were in the order: dimethoate > malathion > captan > ametryne.     

Binding of aluminum to human serum transferrin,human serum albumin and rat serum proteins

Abstract

Human serum transferrin (HSTF), human serum albumin (HSA) and rat serum were compared for their interaction with AlCl₃ , in a Tris‐HCl buffer solutions (pH 7.4). The AlCl₃ was tested in series of concentrations in the range of 50 μM up to 500 μM . HSTF, HSA and their 1:1 mixture and rat serum were incubated at 37°C with series of AlCl₃ concentrations. The protein profile of the incubated solutions were compared to control using SDS‐PAGE and FPLC tests. The results indicated that HSTF was more specifically responsive to AlCl₃showing a characteristic increase in its UV absorption, peak and area dimensions. Simultaneously, HSA was less affected, but it showed a significant shift with an increase in molecular weight accompanied with a change in its profile. The respective bands of transferrin and albumin in rat serum behaved similarly. The SDS‐PAGE and FPLC data coincided and confirmed the preferential affinity of HSTF to bind with Al³⁺ . These results support the suggestion of using HSTF for monitoring levels of Al³⁺ in human blood samples of exposed population. The importance of further developing such a biomarker is the increased demand for early detection of the hazardous levels of Al³⁺ in relation to its long term neurotoxic adverse effects.     

Designing a sustainable reverse logistics channel: the 18 generic structures framework

Remanufacturing end-of-life products requires setting up an economically and environmentally viable reverse logistics channel for supplying reusable used modules to the production chain. This paper introduces a framework to allow generating and assessing different reverse logistics channel structures. The framework is then applied to a product remanufacturing case. We analyze the current reverse logistics channel structure and propose alternative structures with less environmental impact and higher economic benefits.     

Effect and mechanism of action of methomyl and cypermethrin insecticides on kynurenine metabolizing enzymes of mouse liver

Abstract

The effect of methomyl and cypermethrin insecticides on the B₆‐dependent kynurenine hydrolase(KH) and kynurenine aminotransferase (KATE) was studied. These insecticides induced pronounced inhibition on the (KH) and (KATE) enzymes after single dose treatment. Repeated doses of methomyl induced inhibition on the (KH) and (KATE) activities, whereas repeated treatment with cypermethrin had no effect on the activities of these enzymes. In vitro methomyl inhibited (KH) and (KATE) enzymes at 10 M up to 10^‐3 M, through a competitive mechanism. Methomyl and cypermethrin are capable of causing alterations in the kynurenine metabolizing enzymes of mouse liver.     

Larval salivary glands are a source of primer and releaser pheromone in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.)

A brood pheromone identified in honeybee larvae has primer and releaser pheromone effects on adult bees. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to evaluate fatty acid esters—the pheromonal compounds—in different parts of the larvae, we have localized the source of the esters as the larval salivary glands. A histochemical study describes the glands and confirms the presence of lipids in the glands. Epithelial cells of the gland likely secrete the fatty acids into the lumen of the gland. These results demonstrate the salivary glands to be a reservoir of esters, components of brood pheromone, in honeybee larvae.     

Environmental characterization and radio-ecological impacts of non-nuclear industries on the Red Sea coast

The Red Sea is a deep semi-enclosed and narrow basin connected to the Indian Ocean by a narrow sill in the south and to the Suez Canal in the north. Oil industries in the Gulf of Suez, phosphate ore mining activities in Safaga-Quseir region and intensified navigation activities are non-nuclear pollution sources that could have serious radiological impacts on the marine environment and the coastal ecosystems of the Red Sea. It is essential to establish the radiological base-line data, which does not exist yet, and to investigate the present radio-ecological impact of the non-nuclear industries to preserve and protect the coastal environment of the Red Sea. Some natural and man-made radionuclides have been measured in shore sediment samples collected from the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea. The specific activities of 226Ra and 210Pb (238U) series, 232Th series, 40K and 137Cs (Bq/kg dry weight) were measured using gamma ray spectrometers based on hyper-pure germanium detectors. The specific activities of 210Po (210Pb) and uranium isotopes (238U, 235U and 234U) (Bq/kg dry weight) were measured using alpha spectrometers based on surface barrier (PIPS) detectors after radiochemical separation. The absorbed radiation dose rates in air (nGy/h) due to natural radionuclides in shore sediment and radium equivalent activity index (Bq/kg) were calculated. The specific activity ratios of 228Ra/226Ra, 210Pb/226Ra, 226Ra/238U and 234U/238U were calculated for evaluation of the geo-chemical behaviour of these radionuclides. The average specific activity of 226Ra (238U) series, 232Th series, 40K and 210Pb were 24.7, 31.4, 427.5 and 25.6 Bq/kg, respectively. The concentration of 137Cs in the sediment samples was less than the lower limit of detection. The Red Sea coast is an arid region with very low rainfall and the sediment is mainly composed of sand. The specific activity of 238U, 235U and 234U were 25.3, 2.9 and 25.0 Bq/kg. The average specific activity ratios of 226Ra/228Ra, 210Pb/226Ra and 234U/238U were 1.67, 1.22 and 1.0, respectively. The relationship between 226Ra/228Ra activity ratio and sample locations along the coastal shoreline indicates the increase of this ratio in the direction of the Shuqeir in the north and Safaga in the south where the oil exploration and phosphate mining activities are located. These activities may contribute a high flux of 226Ra. The concentration and distribution pattern of 226Ra in sediment can be used to trace the radiological impact of the non-nuclear industries on the Red Sea coast.     

Animal Welfare Considerations in Small Ruminant Breeding Specifications

After satisfying their quantitative and qualitative needs as regards nutrition, consumers in developed countries are becoming more involved in the ethical aspects of food production, especially when it relates to animal products. Social demands for respecting animal welfare in housing systems are increasing rapidly, as is social awareness of human responsibility towards farm animals. Many studies have been conducted on animal welfare measurement in different production systems, but the available information for small ruminants remains insufficient. In this study, a 75 criteria-evaluation tool has been set up on the basis of the five freedoms concept. Animal welfare considerations have been analyzed in 25 documents, including labeling schemes, regulations, and recommendations from different European countries. The results show many differences between regular and organic small ruminant farming standards. Emergency measures are generally lacking. A weak representation of psychological aspects of animal welfare, especially by the current European legislation, is highlighted.     

An Evaluation of Air Pollution Health Impacts and Costs in São Paulo, Brazil

The need to determine cost estimates of the hazardous effects of diseases is important in order to establish the priorities of actions for prevention and health management. The evaluation of air pollution impacts on health, based on expenditures, has been carried out, but there are obvious comparison difficulties among countries, as the health-per-capita investment varies enormously. In order to achieve a standard indicator, we applied the Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY) method to estimate the health burden and cost estimate due to air pollution in São Paulo, Brazil. The basic methodology was the utilization of dose–response curves of epidemiological studies conducted in São Paulo to assess air pollution and its health effects. DALY attributable to air pollution in São Paulo added up to 28,212 years annually. An indirect health cost attributable to air pollution resulted in US$ 3,222,676. This estimate refers to the children and the elderly population. These results give a preliminary and underestimated value of the burden of diseases promoted by air pollution.     

Toxicity removal from hard board wastewater

The rapid growth of industry in Egypt in recent years has made industrial pollution an important issue. During the past decade fish production in some canals and lakes have virtually ceased due to the discharge of industrial and agricultural wastewater. The alternatives under study include effluent treatment before discharge to receiving water. Highly polluted wastewater from a hard board mill was treated using the activated sludge process. Factors affecting the efficiency of the treatment were detention time and organic loading rate. The results indicated that BOD and phenol reduction reached 82% and 94% respectively. when the organic loading rate was 0.1 (kg BOD/kg SS). The process proved to be successful in completely eliminating the toxicity effect of the waste on Nile fish (Tilapia nilotica).