Analysis of annual fluctuations in the content of phenol,chlorophenols and their derivatives in chlorinated drinking waters

Purpose  

Chlorophenols are widely represented, toxic, and persistent environmental pollutants. In this work, we analyzed annual fluctuations in the content of phenol, guaiacol, chlorophenols, chlorocatechols, and chlorinated methoxyphenols in drinking water collected in Warsaw and Tomaszów Mazowiecki (Poland). Moreover, the effect of dissolved organic matter content on the occurrence of phenolic compounds in drinking water was studied.     

Storm water contamination and its effect on the quality of urban surface waters

We studied the effect of storm water drained by the sewerage system and discharged into a river and a small reservoir, on the example of five catchments located within the boundaries of the city of Poznań (Poland). These catchments differed both in terms of their surface area and land use (single- and multi-family housing, industrial areas). The aim of the analyses was to explain to what extent pollutants found in storm water runoff from the studied catchments affected the quality of surface waters and whether it threatened the aquatic organisms. Only some of the 14 studied variables and 22 chemical elements were important for the water quality of the river, i.e., pH, TSS, rain intensity, temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, organic matter content, Al, Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe, Cd, Ni, Se, and Tl. The most serious threat to biota in the receiver came from the copper contamination of storm water runoff. Of all samples below the sewerage outflow, 74 % exceeded the mean acute value for Daphnia species. Some of them exceeded safe concentrations for other aquatic organisms. Only the outlet from the industrial area with the highest impervious surface had a substantial influence on the water quality of the river. A reservoir situated in the river course had an important influence on the elimination of storm water pollution, despite the very short residence time of its water.     

Assessment of microbial contamination within working environments of different types of composting plants

The objective of the study was to determine the degree of microbiological contamination, type of microflora, bioaerosol particle size distribution, and concentration of endotoxins in dust in different types of composting plants. In addition, this study provides a list of indicator microorganisms that pose a biological threat in composting facilities, based on their prevalence within the workplace, source of isolation, and health hazards. We undertook microbiological analysis of the air, work surfaces, and compost, and assessed the particle size distribution of bioaerosols using a six-stage Andersen sampler. Endotoxins were determined using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Microbial identification was undertaken both microscopically and using biochemical tests. The predominant bacterial and fungal species were identified using 16S rRNA and ITS1/2 analysis, respectively.?The number of mesophilic microorganisms in composting plants amounted to 6.9 × 10²–2.5 × 10⁴ CFU/m³ in the air, 2.9 × 10²–3.3 × 10³ CFU/100 cm² on surfaces, and 2.2 × 10⁵–2.4 × 10⁷ CFU/g in compost. Qualitative analysis revealed 75 microbial strains in composting plants, with filamentous fungi being the largest group of microorganisms, accounting for as many as 38 isolates. The total amount of endotoxins was 0.0062–0.0140 nmol/mg of dust. The dust fraction with aerodynamic particle diameter of 0.65–1.1 μm accounted for 28–39% of bacterial aerosols and 4–13% of fungal aerosols. We propose the following strains as indicators of harmful biological agent contamination: Bacillus cereus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. herbarum, Mucor hiemalis, and Rhizopus oryzae for both types of composting plants, and Bacillus pumilus, Mucor fragilis, Penicillium svalbardense, and P. crustosum for green waste composting plants. The biological hazards posed within these plants are due to the presence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms and the inhalation of respirable bioaerosol. Depending on the type of microorganism, these hazards may be aggravated or reduced after cleaning procedures.

Implications:?This study assessed the microbial contamination in two categories of composting plants: (1) facilities producing substrates for industrial cultivation of button mushrooms, and (2) facilities for processing biodegradable waste. Both workplaces showed potentially pathogenic microorganisms, respirable bioaerosol, and endotoxin. These results are useful to determine the procedures to control harmful biological agents, and to disinfect workplaces in composting plants.     

Lead accumulation and elimination in tissues of Prussian carp, Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782), after long-term dietary exposure, and depuration periods

We studied the bioaccumulation of lead in selected tissues of Prussian carp Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) during 12 and 24 months exposure to different doses of this metal in feed and the elimination of lead from tissues during the following 12-month depuration period. Lead concentration was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry method. The highest lead concentrations were observed at 2.0?±?0.54 to 7.4?±?1.1 mg?kg^?1 in the kidney, 3.0?±?0.13 to 5.2?±?0.17 mg?kg^?1 in the bone, and 4.5 (±0.4)?mg?kg^?1 in the hepatopancreas of fish from groups exposed to lead dietary concentration from 8 to 49 mg?kg^?1 for 24 months. The rate of accumulation were generally the highest at the beginning of exposure as evidenced by the highest monthly increments of bioaccumulation observed after 3 months of contamination for muscles, hepatopancreatic gland, intestine, and gills. Also analysis of the monthly increments of lead bioaccumulation in bone tissue and the highly significant coefficients of correlation indicate that the dynamics of accumulation are clearly dependent on dose of exposure. Depuration of accumulated lead from the organs depended mainly on tissue and duration of elimination period. Very rapid depuration was observed in soft tissues such as the intestine or muscles. Very low elimination was observed for scales and bones where until the end of the experiment highly significant lead concentration differences were observed in all groups in relation to the control group. Chronic dietary exposure in the range of 8–49 mg Pb?kg^?1 resulted in no significant effects on the growth and survival of Prussian carp females.     

Terrestrial and aquatic ecotoxicity assessment of Cr(VI) by the ReCiPe method calculation (LCIA): application on an old industrial contaminated site

The most stable forms of chromium in the environment are chromium (III) and chromium (VI), the former being relatively immobile and necessary for organisms, and the latter being highly soluble and toxic. It is thus important to characterise ecotoxicological impacts of Cr(VI). However, there are still some important uncertainties in the calculation of ecotoxicological impacts of heavy metals in the LCIA global approach. The aim of this paper is to understand how the spatial and dynamic characterization of life cycle inventory (LCI) data can be exploited in life cycle impact assessment and particularly for the evaluation of the aquatic and terrestrial ecotoxicity of Cr(VI). To quantify these impacts, we studied an industrial waste landfill in the North of France that was contaminated with chromium. On the polluted area, the aquatic contamination is due to the slag heap as well as to chromium spots in soil. The soil contamination is mainly due to infiltration of chromium from the infill. The concentration of Cr(VI) in soil and water varies according to seasonal climatic variations and groundwater level. These variations have an effect on the Cr(VI) fate factor, in particular on transfer and residence time of the substance. This study underlines the spatial distribution of aquatic ecotoxicity and the temporal variation of freshwater ecotoxicity. We analysed the correlation between precipitation, temperature, concentration and ecotoxicity impact. With regards to the terrestrial ecotoxicity, the study focused on the vertical variation of the ecotoxicity and the major role of the soil layer composition into terrestrial pollution.     

Differences in Cu content in selected mushroom species growing in the same unpolluted areas in Poland

The aim of the study was to estimate copper (Cu) accumulation efficiency in whole-fruiting bodies of 18 edible and non-edible wild growing mushrooms collected from 27 places in the Wielkopolska Voivodeship. Mushrooms were collected each time from the same places to estimate the diversity in Cu accumulation between tested mushroom species within 3 consecutive years of study (2011–2013). The study results revealed various accumulation of Cu in the whole-tested mushroom fruiting bodies. The highest mean accumulation of Cu was observed in Macrolepiota procera (119.4 ± 20.0 mg kg^?1 dm), while the lowest was in Suillus luteus and Russula fellea fruiting bodies (16.1 ± 3.0 and 18.8 ± 4.6 mg kg^?1 dm, respectively). Significant differences in Cu accumulation between mushroom species collected in 2011 and in the two following years (2012 and 2013) were observed. The results indicated that sporadic consumption of these mushrooms was not related to excessive intake of Cu for the human body (no toxic influence on health).     

Assessment of boscalid and pyraclostrobin disappearance and behavior following application of effective microorganisms on apples

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to assess the disappearance of boscalid (IUPAC name: 2-chloro-N-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)phenyl]pyridine-3-carboxamide) and pyraclostrobin (IUPAC name: methyl N-[2-[[1-(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazol-3-yl]oxymethyl]phenyl]-N-methoxycarbamate) residues in apple fruit, and to verify whether an organic fertilizer enriched with strains of antagonistic microorganisms can reduce pesticide residue levels. Field trials were conducted in a commercial orchard on apples of the Gloster variety, during 21 days after the treatment with Bellis 38 WG and the subsequent application of Zumba Plant formulation containing Bacillus spp., Trichoderma spp. and Glomus spp. In control samples, the decrease rate of boscalid and pyraclostrobin residue levels followed an exponential function, described by formulae R_t = 0.2824e^?0.071t and R_t = 0.1176e^?0.060t, with the coefficient of determination of r² = 0.8692 and r² = 0.9268, respectively. These levels dropped to half (t_1/2) of their initial values after 9.8 and 11.5 days, respectively. The treatment with Zumba Plant resulted in a reduction in boscalid and pyraclostrobin residue levels by 52% and 41%, respectively. The results of this study are of importance for horticulture sciences and for producers of apples using plant protection products (PPPs).     

Acceleration of tributyltin chloride (TBT) degradation in liquid cultures of the filamentous fungus Cunninghamella elegans

In this study, we have examined the effects of synthetic medium ingredients and culture incubation conditions on growth and tributyltin chloride (TBT) degradation activity of the fungus Cunninghamella elegans. The best efficiency of TBT conversion to less toxic derivatives: dibutyltin and monobutyltin was noticed on media which contained glucose, NH(4)Cl, K(2)HPO(4) and MgSO(4). Next, the constructed M3 medium (with the above components) ensured vigorous growth of C. elegans and allowed the reduction of 80% of the initial TBT content (10 mg l(-1)), after 3d of biodegradation. The further acceleration of the biocide utilization by C. elegans was achieved by additional oxygen supply (pO(2) >or = 20%) to the growing fungus (89% after 2d of incubation in the BioFlo II bioreactor). The efficient xenobiotic biodegradation was related to the intensity of fungal growth. The obtained results suggest a cometabolic nature of TBT utilization by C. elegans.     

Precipitation of liquid swine manure phosphates using magnesium smelting by-products

Swine manure contains considerable amounts of total (P) and soluble phosphorus (PO(4)-P) which may increase the soil P content when applied in excess to crop requirements and, consequently, risk water eutrophication. The feasibility of using magnesium (Mg) from the by-product of electrolysis and foundries (BPEF) for the removal of P from liquid swine manure was studied by adding up to 3 g of Mg as BPEF per liter of nursery (NU) and grower-finisher (GF) swine manure in 25-L plastic buckets. Changes in P and other elements were monitored for up to 360 h. Small amounts of Mg as BPEF (0.5 and 1.0 g Mg L(-1) manure) reduced the total P concentration of the liquid fraction by 70 to 95% of both manure types with respect to the control treatment of mixed raw manure. A settling period of 8 h or more was necessary to significantly reduce the liquid fraction's total P concentration for both manure types. Reduction of PO(4)-P varied from 96 to 100% in the liquid fractions for both manure types, which along with natural settling, explains most of the total P reduction in that fraction. The addition of BPEF did not influence the N content of manure. The low P liquid fraction can be safely applied to saturated P soils whereas the high P solid fraction offers the opportunity of transporting manure to agricultural soils deficient in P. Since N is conserved, both liquid and solid fractions could be valuable fertilizer manure by-products.