Dietary risk evaluation for 28 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in tea preparations made of teas available on the Polish retail market

The aim of this work was to assess dietary risk resulting from consumption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with tea infusions. To this end, levels of 28 PAHs in black, green, red and white teas available on the Polish retail market have been assessed. Profiles and correlation between concentrations of individual PAHs have been identified. A model study on transfer of PAHs from tea leaves into tea preparations has been conducted. Relatively high concentrations of 28 evaluated PAHs have been found in 58 tested samples of black, green, red and white teas sampled on the Polish retail market. Total concentration ∑28PAH ranged from 57 to 696 µg kg^?1 with mean 258 µg kg^?1 (dry tea leaves). The most mature tea leaves fermented to a small degree contained relatively the highest PAH levels among all four tested tea types. Relatively low PAH transfer rates into tea infusions and limited volumes of the consumed tea keep the risks associated with PAH dietary intake at a safely low level.

The worst-case scenario dietary intake values were 7.62/0.82/0.097 ng kg^?1 b.w. day^?1 (estimated on the basis of the maximum found concentrations 696/113/23 µg kg^?1 and maximum observed transfer rates 24/16/9%) for ∑28PAH/∑PAH4/B[a]P, respectively. MOE values calculated using the above worst case estimates exceeded 700,000 and 400,000 (BMDL₁₀ 0.07 and 0.34 mg kg^?1 b.w. day^?1) for B[a]P and PAH4, respectively. Both B[a]P and PAH4 concentrations may be used as indicators of total PAH concentration in tea leaves; PAH4 slightly better fits low molecular weight PAHs. Several correlations between various PAHs/groups of PAHs have been identified, the strongest one (R² = 0.92) between PAH4 and EU PAH 15+1.     

New insight into defining the lakes of the southern Baltic coastal zone

There exist many classification systems of hydrographic entities such as lakes found along the coastlines of seas and oceans. Each system has its advantages and can be used with some success in the area of protection and management. This paper aims to evaluate whether the studied lakes are only coastal lakes or rather bodies of water of a completely different hydrological and hydrochemical nature. The attempt to create a new classification system of Polish coastal lakes is related to the incompleteness of lake information in existing classifications. Thus far, the most frequently used are classifications based solely on lake basin morphogenesis or hydrochemical properties. The classifications in this paper are based not only on the magnitude of lake water salinity or hydrochemical analysis but also on isolation from the Baltic Sea and other sources of water. The key element of the new classification system for coastal bodies of water is a departure from the existing system used to classify lakes in Poland and the introduction of ion-“tracking” methods designed to identify anion and cation distributions in each body of water of interest. As a result of the work, a new classification of lakes of the southern Baltic Sea coastal zone was created. Featured objects such as permanently brackish lakes, brackish lakes that may turn into freshwater lakes from time to time, freshwater lakes that may turn into brackish lakes from time to time, freshwater lakes that experience low levels of salinity due to specific incidents, and permanently freshwater lakes. The authors have adopted 200 mg Cl^? dm^?3 as a maximum value of lake water salinity. There are many conditions that determine the membership of a lake to a particular group, but the most important is the isolation lakes from the Baltic Sea. Changing a condition may change the classification of a lake.     

Multivariate analysis of elements content of Larch Bolete (Suillus grevillei) mushroom

Larch Bolete (Suillus grevillei) mushrooms collected at spatially distant sites in Poland showed on relative abundance of K, P, Mg, Rb, Al, Ca, Fe (at mg/g dw), Ag, Ba, Cd, Cu, Mn, Na and Zn (at microg/g dw) and less of Co, Cr, Ni, Pb and Sr (<1 microg/g dw). Amongst these elements Rb and K were highly bioconcentrated by Larch Bolete (BCF around 1000 and 300 for the caps), and weaker were Cu, Mg, Na, P and Zn (BCF between 4.1+/-2.5 and 62+/-21). Ag and Cd were bioconcentrated mainly in caps with BCF value of 25+/-16 and 13+/-10. Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Sr were excluded (BCF<1) by this species. Intake of meal prepared of 300 g of fresh fruiting bodies of Larch Bolete picked-up at the Western Beskid or Pogórze Wielickie sites in the south of Poland will result in exceeding of oral reference dose set for cadmium. In the case of silver, copper or zinc content a meal of 300 g of fresh or 30 g dried Larch Bolete will not result in exceeding reference doses for these elements. Extent of dose that customer would be exposed after eating of three 300 g fresh the Larch Bolete meals during a week will led to intake of lead and zinc within margin of 0.9-5.1% and 9-16% of PTWI for these elements, respectively. In the case of cadmium and specimens from the Western Beskid or Pogórze Wielickie sites in the south of Poland intake will slightly (around 10%) exceed PTWI value, and for other sites will not exceed (between 2% and 26% of PTWI).     

Gross biochemical composition of the bivalve Macoma balthica from the Gulf of Gdańsk (Southern Baltic)

Seasonal changes in lipid, glycogen, protein (Nx6.25), and ash content of the meat of Macoma balthica (L.) from five sampling sites in the Gulf of Gdask were studied from 1981 to 1984. Lipid and glycogen were stored mainly during spring and at the beginning of summer. The lipid content of up to 36% of the dry weight observed in populations from the Gulf of Gdask are among the highest values reported for bivalve molluscs. Potential causes of this high value are discussed.     

Simulation model of energy flow through an animal organism: General form and applications

This paper presents a general model for energy flow through an animal organism whose consumption and assimilation processes can be described by continuous functions. Two versions of the model are discussed: with continuous and with discrete reproduction. Also, their applicability in analyzing the properties of an actual modelled system is discussed. The results of sensitivity analysis and optimization considerations are presented.     

The disposition and metabolism of 1,3-dibromobenzene in the rat

The distribution, excretion and metabolism of 1,3-dibromobenzene following a single i.p. administration to rats 100 or 300 mg/kg was investigated using radiotracer [3H] and GC-MS technique. After 72 hours about 74 to 90% were excreted in urine. The highest radioactivity was observed in the liver, kidneys and fat tissue. Later on a steady decline of radioactivity was apparent in all investigated tissues except for blood cells and the sciatic nerve, where constant levels were noted. In urine the following substances were identified and quantified by GC peak areas: unchanged 1,3-DBB (18%), dibromophenols (34%), dibromothiophenols (28%), dibromothioanisole (1.8%), bromophenol (5.5%), bromohydroxythiophenols (5%), and bromohydroxythioanisole (7.5%).     

Some Remarks About the Effect of Smoke from Charcoal Kilns on Soil Degradation

The charcoal kilns under study were situated in the Polish Western Carpathiens (Bieszczady). Aromatic hydrocarbon products of wood burning in the kilns were identified. The rate of decomposition of beech leaves was relatively high as environmental conditions enhanced decomposition. The intensity of soil metabolism is increasing during a long-term exposure to smoke, which is one of the indicators of anthropogenic disturbance resulting from organic factors.     

Estimation of the Soil Respiration Using the Constant Pressure Volumetric Respirometer and the Flow-Through Respirometer UNI-RES10

Among commonly employed methods of fast estimation of the soil biological activity a method of the oxygen consumption determination is used. The main goal of this research was an estimation of a soil respiratory metabolism using the constant pressure volumetric respirometer and also using the flow-through respirometer UNI-RES10.Soil respiration measurements were done using both types of respirometers in temperatures 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C, keeping up the constant humidity. The investigated soil was a soil humus belonged to organic soils from the Dziekanów Leny field. The soil respiration was also measured for 8 plant communities in Sudeten Mountains with various respiration intensity.After the experiments it was stated that both measuring instruments could be used for the soil metabolism evaluation. Readouts obtained from the UNI-RES10 respirometer are smaller then readouts when using the constant pressure volumetric respirometer. The flow-through respirometers have to be calibrated to obtain results comparable with these from volumetric ones. The volumetric and flow-through respirometry methods are useful for the comparative analysis of metabolism levels.     

A GIS-based approach for the long-term prediction of human health risks at contaminated sites

A Health Index/Risk Evaluation Tool (HIRET) has been developed for the integration of risk assessment and spatial planning using GIS capabilities. The method is meant to assist decision makers and site owners in the evaluation of potential human health risk with respect to land use. Human health risk defined as the potential adverse effects on human life or health is generally accepted as the most important aspect for site assessment and planning of remediation strategies. It concerns polluted sites that endanger human health on one hand and derelict land that does not cause the immediate risk on the other hand. In current state-of-the-art risk-assessment, long-term spatial and temporal changes of risks, in relation to changes in contamination patterns and land use functions, are not taken into account. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the methodology developed for human health risk assessment in aspect of spatial and temporal domain. HIRET was developed as an extension for ESRI software ArcView 3.2 and allows performing dynamic human health risk assessment in long-term period, which is relevant for land use planning. The paper illustrates how such methodology can assist in environmental decision-making to enhance the efficiency of contaminated land management. A case study of contaminated site is given showing how data can be used within a GIS framework to produce maps indicating areas of potential human health risk.     

A method of rapid identification of the most important ecological problems in polluted areas

A comprehensive method is presented for the evaluation of the living elements of the environment by way of an example of an area situated within the emission range of a non ferrous metal works. The exposure of particular components of the environment is shown using the method of indices, taking into consideration the action of pollutants on the most essential and sensitive receptors. Methods of exposure reduction are also suggested. The proposed method may be helpful in land-use planning in polluted environments and can also be applied to determine the sequence of activities aimed at diminishing the effects of pollution.