Effectiveness of potassium ferrate (VI) as a green agent in the treatment and disinfection of carwash wastewater

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Carwash wastewater treatment with potassium ferrate (VI) (K2FeO4) was optimized by response surface methodology. The optimum conditions for chemical...     

Histological changes in the reproductive system of male rats exposed to cigarette smoke or electronic cigarette vapor

Abstract

The use of electronic cigarettes increases as a supposedly healthier form of nicotine consumption, but safety of vaping remains uncertain. In this study, we assessed whether the use of electronic cigarettes increases the risk of infertility in male rats. Malformations of sperm morphology were more frequent in nicotine-exposed groups than in the control group. Vacuolization of seminiferous epithelium, reduction of spermatogenesis, increased apoptosis of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, and acceleration of degeneration of testes were observed. The male reproductive organs are slightly less affected by vaping than by smoking. Nevertheless, in consequence both may lead to the reduction of fertility.     

Trypsin inhibitor,antioxidant and antimicrobial activities as well as chemical composition of potato sprouts originating from yellow- and colored-fleshed varieties

Abstract

Potato sprouts could be a valuable resource of phytochemicals such as secondary plant metabolites, potential antioxidants and nutritive compounds. In this work, potato sprout extracts of five varieties were examined; they differed in major glycoalkaloid content, trypsin inhibitor activity, total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity, as well as in antimicrobial activity against Gram?+?and G???bacteria, and yeast. Sprouts of colored-fleshed tubers were characterized by higher trypsin inhibitor activity than sprouts of yellow potatoes. The strongest microorganism growth inhibition effect was observed for macerate with sprouts from the purple-fleshed Blaue Annelise variety against B. subtilis, whereas C. albicans yeasts were sensitive to macerates with sprouts from purple-fleshed Blue Congo and yellow-fleshed Vineta potato varieties.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> head blight incidence and mycotoxin accumulation in three durum wheat cultivars in relation to sowing date and density

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var. durum) is an important crop in Europe, particularly in the Mediterranean countries. Fusarium head blight (FHB) is considered as one of the most damaging diseases, resulting in yield and quality reduction as well as contamination of grain with mycotoxins. Three winter durum wheat cultivars originating from Austria, Slovakia, and Poland were analyzed during 2012–2014 seasons for FHB incidence and Fusarium mycotoxin accumulation in harvested grain. Moreover, the effects of sowing density and delayed sowing date were evaluated in the climatic conditions of Southern Poland. Low disease severity was observed in 2011/2012 in all durum wheat cultivars analyzed, and high FHB occurrence was recorded in 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 seasons. Fusarium graminearum was the most abundant pathogen, followed by Fusarium avenaceum. Through all three seasons, cultivar Komnata was the most susceptible to FHB and to mycotoxin accumulation, while cultivars Auradur and IS Pentadur showed less symptoms. High susceptibility of cv. Komnata was reflected by the number of Fusarium isolates and elevated mycotoxin (deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and moniliformin) content in the grain of this cultivar across all three seasons. Nivalenol was identified in the samples of cv. Komnata only. Genotype-dependent differences in FHB susceptibility were observed for the plants sown at optimal date but not at delayed sowing date. It can be hypothesized that cultivars bred in Austria and Slovakia show less susceptibility towards FHB than the cultivar from Poland because of the environmental conditions allowing for more efficient selection of breeding materials.     

Seasonal variability of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) congener profiles in butter in Poland: Dietary risk evaluation

Various statistical methods have been employed to analyse in details seasonal diversification of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)/polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congener profiles found in butter fat. The variability of the PCB/PBDE congener profiles indicates the presence of various sources of the milk fat contamination. The obtained results suggest that the environmental chemical background has the highest share in the contamination sources pattern. Ion trap mass spectrometry coupled to high-resolution gas chromatography with semi-permeable membrane dialysis sample cleanup was used for determination of PCBs and PBDEs in milk fat. Determined butter fat PCB profiles were similar to the profiles characteristic for Aroclor 1254 technical mixture. Our data indicate that dietary intake of PCB/PBDE with milk and milk products may be estimated to be about 717.5 pg kg b.w.^?1 day^?1 for six-indicator PCBs, 0.329 (equivalent toxicity, TEQ) pg kg b.w.^?1 day^?1 for 12 DL PCBs and 50 pg kg b.w.^?1 day^?1 for PBDEs (sum of 14 congeners).     

Cities of the future—bionic systems of new urban environment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The concepts of the cities we know nowadays, and which we are accustomed to, change at a very rapid pace. The philosophy of their design is also...     

Ensemble Modeling of the Baltic Sea Ecosystem to Provide Scenarios for Management

We present a multi-model ensemble study for the Baltic Sea, and investigate the combined impact of changing climate, external nutrient supply, and fisheries on the marine ecosystem. The applied regional climate system model contains state-of-the-art component models for the atmosphere, sea ice, ocean, land surface, terrestrial and marine biogeochemistry, and marine food-web. Time-dependent scenario simulations for the period 1960–2100 are performed and uncertainties of future projections are estimated. In addition, reconstructions since 1850 are carried out to evaluate the models sensitivity to external stressors on long time scales. Information from scenario simulations are used to support decision-makers and stakeholders and to raise awareness of climate change, environmental problems, and possible abatement strategies among the general public using geovisualization. It is concluded that the study results are relevant for the Baltic Sea Action Plan of the Helsinki Commission.     

Carbon isotope signature of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in precipitation and atmospheric CO2

This paper describes results of chemical and isotopic analysis of inorganic carbon species in the atmosphere and precipitation for the calendar year 2008 in Wroc?aw (SW Poland). Atmospheric air samples (collected weekly) and rainwater samples (collected after rain episodes) were analysed for CO₂ and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations and for δ¹³C composition. The values obtained varied in the ranges: atmospheric CO₂: 337-448 ppm; δ¹³C_CO2 from −14.4 to −8.4‰; DIC in precipitation: 0.6-5.5 mg dm⁻³; δ¹³C_DIC from −22.2 to +0.2‰. No statistical correlation was observed between the concentration and δ¹³C value of atmospheric CO₂ and DIC in precipitation. These observations contradict the commonly held assumption that atmospheric CO₂ controls the DIC in precipitation. We infer that DIC is generated in ambient air temperatures, but from other sources than the measured atmospheric CO₂. The calculated isotopic composition of a hypothetical CO₂ source for DIC forming ranges from −31.4 to −11.0‰, showing significant seasonal variations accordingly to changing anthropogenic impact and atmospheric mixing processes.     

Microgeographic differentiation in the lipid composition of the bivalve Macoma balthica from the Gulf of Gdańsk (Southern Baltic)

Differentiation in lipid content, composition of lipid classes, fatty acids and sterols of Macoma balthica (L.) collected from various parts of the Gulf of Gdask was observed. The clams taken from the Inner Puck Bay contained significantly lower amounts of lipids, particularly of triglycerides, oleopalmitic acid and 24-methylenecholesterol. It is suggested that this differentiation is related to variability of trophic conditions in the Gulf of Gdask.