Diastereoisomer- and enantiomer-specific determination of hexabromocyclododecane in fish oil for food and feed

Fish oils are one of the main sources of ω-3 fatty acids. However, they can present elevated levels of some lipophilic pollutants, such as hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs). Since data about HBCDs in fish oil samples are very limited, in this study, 25 samples of fish oil for feed and food have been analyzed. Total HBCDs, as well as, α-, β- and γ-diastereoisomers have been determined. Total HBCDs ranged from 0.09 to 26.8 ng g⁻¹, with higher concentrations in fish oil for feed (average value of 9.69 ng g⁻¹) than those for food (1.14 ng g⁻¹). Concentrations of α-HBCD (average value of 4.12 ng g⁻¹ in feed samples and 0.48 ng g⁻¹ in food samples) and γ-HBCD (5.05 and 0.43 ng g⁻¹ respectively) were higher than that of β-HBCD (0.52 and 0.19 ng g⁻¹ respectively) in most of the samples. However, none of them was predominant in the samples. Concentrations of HBCDs were compared to concentrations of other pollutants and correlation between dioxin and dioxin-like PCBs levels and HBCDs levels were observed. Intake of HBCDs was calculated for fish oil with human consumption purposes and it ranged from 0.08 to 5.38 ng HBCDs d⁻¹, which could contribute significantly to HBCDs total intake. Enantiomeric fractions were also determined. No clear enrichment was observed for γ-HBCD, while (−)-α-HBCD enrichment was detected in some samples.     

Residential Water Demand Management: Lessons from Aurora,Colorado1

Abstract: Residential water demand is a function of several factors, some of which are within the control of water utilities (e.g., price, water restrictions, rebate programs) and some of which are not (e.g., climate and weather, demographic characteristics). In this study of Aurora, Colorado, factors influencing residential water demand are reviewed during a turbulent drought period (2000‐2005). Findings expand the understanding of residential demand in at least three salient ways: first, by documenting that pricing and outdoor water restriction policies interact with each other ensuring that total water savings are not additive of each program operating independently; second, by showing that the effectiveness of pricing and restrictions policies varies among different classes of customers (i.e., low, middle, and high volume water users) and between predrought and drought periods; and third, in demonstrating that real‐time information about consumptive use (via the Water Smart Reader) helps customers reach water‐use targets.     

Solar TiO2-assisted photocatalytic degradation of IGCC power station effluents using a Fresnel lens

The heterogeneous TiO2 assisted photocatalytic degradation of wastewater from a thermoelectric power station under concentrated solar light irradiation using a Fresnel lens has been studied. The efficiency of photocatalytic degradation was determined from the analysis of cyanide and formate removal. Firstly, the influence of the initial concentration of H2O2 and TiO2 on the degradation kinetics of cyanides and formates was studied based on a factorial experimental design. Experimental kinetic constants were fitted using neural networks. Results showed that the photocatalytic process was effective for cyanides destruction (mainly following a molecular mechanism), whereas most of formates (degraded mainly via a radical path) remained unaffected. Finally, to improve formates degradation, the effect of lowering pH on their degradation rate was evaluated after complete cyanide destruction. The photooxidation efficiency of formates reaches a maximum at pH around 5-6. Above pH 6, formate anion is subjected to electrostatic repulsion with the negative surface of TiO2. At pH<4.5, formate adsorption and photon absorption are reduced due to some catalyst agglomeration.     

Organochlorine contamination in the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus): effects on eggshell thickness and egg steroid levels

Eggs of the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) were collected from a breeding area on Lake Maggiore (Northern Italy) from 2001 to 2005 in the vicinity of a p,p'-DDT manufacturer, whose production was stopped in 1996. DDT homologue and PCB congener levels were determined and compared to levels in eggs collected from other breeding areas on Lake Maggiore and in a presumably less contaminated area on Lake Garda. Although Lake Garda eggs on average possessed a lower level of p,p'-DDE than Lake Maggiore eggs, they had significantly higher levels of PCBs and could not be used as a reference population for the measurement of eggshell thickness. Nevertheless, a negative linear relationship was found between p,p'-DDE concentration and eggshell thickness for eggs collected from both lakes, indicating a possible causal relationship. Testosterone and 17beta-estradiol concentrations were also determined for eggs collected from both lakes in 2004. Average concentrations of both hormones were the lowest in eggs from Lake Maggiore; however, the very high variability within broods did not result in any significant difference between the lakes.     

Is meltwater from Alpine glaciers a secondary DDT source for lakes?

A sharp increase in 2005 of pp'DDT and its metabolites was observed in mussels and fish from lakes Como and Iseo, the main glacier-fed southern Alpine lakes. DDTs in zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) were more than 150 times higher than levels in 2003, and concentrations in pelagic fish (0.12 mgkg(-1) w.w.) exceeded the Italian safety threshold for human consumption (0.05 mgkg(-1) w.w.). The histological examination of the ovaries revealed many mussels with oocyte degeneration throughout the studied period. Prior to being banned in Italy in 1978, DDT was used in large amounts for fruit-tree treatment from the 1950s to 1970s in valleys just below the glaciers. Since glacier volume was increasing at that time and then continuously retreated, meltwater should be the main cause of the pollution peak recently observed in biota of downstream lakes. PCBs did not peak in biota tissues to a comparable extent probably because local sources were not as important as for DDTs.     

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.     

Identification of Illex coindetii, I. illecebrosus and I. argentinus (Cephalopoda: Ommastrephidae) throughout the Atlantic Ocean; by body and beak characters

Shortfinned squid species of the genus Illex support commercial fisheries throughout the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Previous identification of interspecific and intraspecific populations by morphological and size-at-maturity studies have not provided conclusive results. We analysed morphometric body and beak variables (24 characters) in three species of the genus (I. coindetii, I. illecebrosus and I. argentinus), using a geographic and seasonal series of 33 populations for 1,500 specimens of I. coindetii, I. illecebrosus and I. argentinus. Residuals of the regression between each morphometric body and beak variable and mantle length were used as input in a stepwise discriminant analysis. Species discrimination by body and hectocotylus characters required at least eight variables and resulted in high correct-classification percentages for I. coindetii and I. argentinus (75% and 90%, respectively), whereas the best identification resulted from beak characters (83% correctly classified). Size of the suckerless basal arm, sucker-bearing length and beak lateral wall discriminated best among I. coindetii from northern Iberia, northwest Iberia (year-1996) and Ireland in the Atlantic and western Mediterranean versus middle and eastern Mediterranean samples. Canadian shelf and American samples were discriminated from Canadian slope I. illecebrosus. Winter/shelf and winter/slope samples of I. argentinus seemed to form a single biological group separated from Falkland Island, 46°S/autumn spawners and 46°S/1996 specimens along the Patagonian Shelf. No significant sexual or maturity polymorphism was obtained. Discriminant analysis optimised population diagnosis on a morphometric basis of interest in fisheries strategies. Electronic supplementary material to this paper can be obtained by using the Springer LINK server located at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-002-0796-7.     

Determination of trace transition metals in environmental matrices by chelation ion chromatography

Trace transition metals (Fe^3?+?, Mn, Cu, Cd, Co, Zn, Ni) in environmental samples were analyzed by chelation ion chromatography using a mixed bed ion-exchange column with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDCA) and oxalic acid as eluent and large volume direct injection (1,000 ??l). The two eluents, PDCA and oxalic acid, were tested, and repeatability and detection limits were compared. The total analysis time was ~15 min. The separation with PDCA was more successful than that obtained with acid oxalic. It was observed that utilizing PDCA resulted in lower detection limits, higher repeatability, and a quantitative detection of Cd and Mn, which coelute as a single peak when using the oxalic acid. At last, the PDCA calibration graphs resulted linear (r ²?>?0.999) in the range 0.4?C1,000 ??g/L. The procedure was applied to the analysis of metals in soils and in water samples. The results obtained from the analysis of natural waters have demonstrated that the method is simple and efficient, therefore, can be used for the determination of metals in natural waters using a continuous and automatic monitoring system.     

Potential Risk of Norovirus Infection Due to the Consumption of “Ready to Eat” Food

In this study, we investigated the presence of enteric viruses such as norovirus (NoV), hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), and adenovirus (HAdV), in vegetables available on the Italian markets. For this aim, 110 national and international ??ready to eat?? samples were collected and analyzed by biomolecular tests and positive samples were confirmed by sequencing. All samples (100?%) were negative for HAV, HEV, and HAdV, while 13.6?% (15/110) were positive for NoV. Actually there is not a formal surveillance system for NoV infections in Italy but we clearly demonstrated a potential risk associated with the consumption of ??ready to eat?? vegetables. This study confirmed for the first time in Italy the presence of norovirus in semi-dried tomatoes by PCR technique.     

A systematic review of research conducted by pioneer groups in ecotoxicological studies with bees in Brazil: advances and perspectives

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Brazil presents the most threatened endemic or rare species among neotropical regions, with the Hymenoptera order, to which bees belong, classified as...