The human sex odds at birth after the atmospheric atomic bomb tests,after Chernobyl,and in the vicinity of nuclear facilities

Background, aim, and scope  

Ever since the discovery of the mutagenic properties of ionizing radiation, the possibility of birth sex odds shifts in exposed human populations was considered in the scientific community. Positive evidence, however weak, was obtained after the atomic bombing of Japan. We previously investigated trends in the sex odds before and after the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident. In a pilot study, combined data from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Norway, Poland, and Sweden between 1982 and 1992 showed a downward trend in the sex odds and a significant jump in 1987, the year immediately after Chernobyl. Moreover, a significant positive association of the sex odds between 1986 and 1991 with Chernobyl fallout at the district level in Germany was observed. Both of these findings, temporality (effect after exposure) and dose response association, yield evidence of causality. The primary aim of this study was to investigate longer time periods (1950–2007) in all of Europe and in the USA with emphasis on the global atmospheric atomic bomb test fallout and on the Chernobyl accident. To obtain further evidence, we also analyze sex odds data near nuclear facilities in Germany and Switzerland.     

Fine particulate phase PAHs in ambient atmosphere of Chennai metropolitan city,India

Background  

Airborne fine particulates (PM 2.5) and its associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are reportedly hazardous in urban environment due to the presence of multiple emission sources.     

Genetic ecotoxicology of asbestos pollution in the house mouse <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mus musculus domesticus</Emphasis>

Purpose  

We tested the genetic diversity in wild mice (Mus musculus domesticus) inhabiting the asbestos-polluted area as a model for the long-term mutagenic effect of asbestos. Hazardous effects of deposited asbestos persist in the environment because of low rate of fiber disintegration. The upper layers of the soil in the vicinity of a former asbestos factory are nearly “saturated” with asbestos fibers and dust. Natural populations of mice dwell in this area and are constantly exposed to asbestos fibers.     

Occurrence of perfluorinated organic acids in the North and Baltic seas. Part 1: distribution in sea water

Purpose  

Due to their high water solubilities and mobilities, persistent, polar perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) such as perfluorinated carboxylates and sulfonates are likely to end up in the oceans. In part 1 of this study, their distribution in North and Baltic Sea water is reported, being of special interest because these seas are surrounded by highly industrialized countries with high population densities.     

某采油区石油污染土壤微生物群落特征研究

采用Biolog方法、最大或然数和主成分分析方法研究了某采油区污染场地及周围土壤的污染特征、微生物数量、微生物群落功能多样性以及相互作用关系.结果表明,土壤均一定程度受到石油污染,污染场地土壤呈现以萜类、姥鲛烷及植烷等难降解物质为主的污染特征,其土壤中微生物数量最多,总活菌数为1.73×1010个/g,石油烃降解菌数为...     

Effects of compositional heterogeneity and nanoporosity of raw and treated biomass-generated soot on adsorption and absorption of organic contaminants

A biomass-generated soot was sequentially treated by HCl-HF solution, organic solvent, and oxidative acid to remove ash, extractable native organic matter (EOM), and amorphous carbon. The compositional heterogeneity and nano-structure of the untreated and treated soot samples were characterized by elemental analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis, BET-N₂ surface area, and electron microscopic analysis. Sorption properties of polar and nonpolar organic pollutants onto the soot samples were compared, and individual contributions of adsorption and absorption were quantified. The sorption isotherms for raw sample were practically linear, while were nonlinear for the pretreated-soot. The removal of EOM enhanced adsorption and reduced absorption, indicating that EOM served as a partitioning phase and simultaneously masked the adsorptive sites. By drastic-oxidation, the outer amorphous carbon and the inner disordered core of the soot particles were completely removed, and a fullerene-like nanoporous structure (aromatic shell) was created, which promoted additional π-π interaction between phenanthrene and the soot.     

间歇浸取对废物水泥窑共处置产品中Cr和As释放的影响

研究间歇浸取条件下废物水泥窑共处置产品中重金属Cr、As的释放,对水泥产品在实际应用中的环境安全性评价有重要意义.通过模拟煅烧实验制取含Cr和As的水泥熟料,并制取混凝土样品,采用pH影响实验和扩散浸出实验,研究了混凝土中Cr和As的溶解特性及其间歇浸取对混凝土中Cr和As释放的影响.结果表明,浸取方式对浸取液pH有较...     

稻秆对铜绿微囊藻抑制作用的研究

研究了稻秆浸出液对铜绿微囊藻生长的抑制作用.研究表明,稻秆浸出液中含有的化学物质抑制了铜绿微囊藻的生长繁殖.稻秆浸泡时间的延长,有利于提高浸出液的抑藻效果,但浸泡时间过长则无益于抑藻效果提高,浸泡时间为15 d时,抑制率能高达75.99%.稻秆浸出液投加量达7.5%以上具有显著的抑藻效果.不同部位的水稻秸秆浸出液对铜绿...     

大宝山矿区水体和沉积物中重金属的污染评价

分别于丰水期和枯水期对广东省大宝山矿区铁龙拦泥坝至凉桥河段水体中溶解态的重金属进行了调查,应用EPA推荐的健康风险评价模型发现,水体中非致癌物通过饮水途径所导致平均个人年风险排列顺序是Cu〉Pb〉Zn,最大值的平均个人年风险在丰水期和枯水期的平均值分别是2.14×10-7 a-1和4.13×10-7 a-1,小于国际防辐射委员会（ICRP）推荐的最大可接受平均个人年风险5.0×10-5a-1。致癌物Cd的平均个人年风险在丰水期和枯水期的平均值分别是3.52×10-4 a-1和4.53×10-4 a-1,大于ICRP推荐的最大可接受值,同时也大于非致癌物3～4个数量级。另外,通过对枯水期沉积物的重金属总量分析,发现凉桥槽对坑支流受水体pH的影响,导致其沉积物重金属的浓度最高。根据Long和Macdonald利用生物效应数据库法建立的沉积物质量基准,发现除冷水泾外,其他采样点的平均效应中值指数（mERMQ）值都大于1.5,可见沉积物中的重金属会对当地底栖生物产生毒害作用。     

pH、溶解氧、叶绿素a之间相关性研究Ⅱ：非养殖水体

利用国内、外近20年的资料和饮用水水源地潘家口水库现场围隔实验结果,分析非养殖水体中pH、溶解氧（DO）和叶绿素a之间的相互关系。结果表明,当水体处于富营养化状态即叶绿素a平均含量高于10μg/L时,pH、DO与叶绿素a呈显著正相关。当叶绿素a平均含量低于10μg/L时,水体交换强或有机重污染的天然水体中DO与叶绿素a...