Water Quality Index (WQI) of Jaguari and Atibaia Rivers in the region of Paulínia,São Paulo,Brazil

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment - Due to the concern with the quality of hydric resources, the monitoring is essential to evaluate and identify the anthropogenic and environmental...     

Toxicological effects of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine on electric eel (Electrophorus electricus) acetylcholinesterase and human serum butyrylcholinesterase

This study examined the adverse effects of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) on electric eel (Electrophorus electricus) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and human serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Data show that TEMED inhibited AChE in electric eel as well as human serum BChE. Kinetic studies indicated that the inhibition produced by TEMED in both sources was of mixed type, i.e. K_m increased and V _max decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. K_I (constant of ChE–substrate–TEMED complex into ChE–substrate complex and TEMED) was estimated to be 0.674 mM for electric eel and 0.024 mM for human serum BChE. The γK_m (dissociation constant of ChE–substrate–TEMED complex into ChE–TEMED complex and substrate) was 0.083 and 0.2 mM for electric eel AChE and human serum BChE, respectively. The IC₅₀ for electric eel and for human serum ChE was 1.57 and 0.043 mM, respectively. The present results suggest that TEMED produced adverse effects on electric eel and human serum via inhibition of ChE.     

Photodegradation of an azo dye by silver-doped nano-particulate titanium dioxide

The synthesis of silver doped nano-particulate titanium dioxide (Ag/TiO₂) using a microemulsion method and an investigation of its photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Acid Red 27 in distilled water under UV-irradiation is reported. The prepared Ag/TiO₂ is characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The size of the Ag nanoparticles is around 5–15?nm, with almost uniform distribution on the TiO₂ particles. The efficiency of the photocatalytic process is evaluated to establish the optimum conditions, found to be at 2?wt% of Ag loading on TiO₂, catalyst dosage of 400?mg?L^?1, and calcination temperature of 300°C. Complete decolorization of the dye solution on Ag/TiO₂ was observed in 20?min of UV irradiation in the optimum conditions.     

Quantification of 17 endocrine disruptor compounds and their spatial and seasonal distribution in the Iberian Ave River and its coastline

The Ave River flows through the most urbanized and industrialized Porto district areas. Despite ovotestis was recently reported in male fish from the estuary, no data exist on the water levels of natural and pharmaceutical estrogens (17β-estradiol, estrone, and 17α-ethynylestradiol), xenoestrogenic industrial pollutants (4-octylphenol, 4-nonylphenol and their mono and diethoxylates, and bisphenol A), phytoestrogens (formononetin, biochanin A, daidzein, and genistein), and sitosterol. Absence of analyses applies to the river, estuary, and nearby coastline. Those compounds mimic the action of endogenous estradiol, being well-recognized endocrine disrupters (EDCs). To conclude about suspected influxes of estrogenic EDCs into the river and coastline, water samples were taken at eight sites every two months, during one year (2010), at low tide. Data showed ubiquitous presence of potentially hazardous amounts of estrogens (particularly ethynylestradiol, up to 10 ng L^?1), nonylphenol (up to 250 ng L^?1), and sitosterol (up to 6 μg L^?1), which helps explaining the ovotestis emergence in local fish. Also, because physicochemical parameters used in water quality evaluation, such as pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and nitrites levels, were within legal limits – suggesting good quality – our study supports that assessment of human and environmental risks by targeting surface waters requires integrating EDCs monitoring in routine analyses.     

Trophic and reproductive biochemistry of a deep-sea gelatinous octopus, Opisthoteuthis calypso

The present study provides a comprehensive analysis of the biochemical composition (proximate composition, amino acids and fatty acids in gonad, digestive gland and muscle) of the cirrate octopod, Opisthoteuthis calypso, collected off the coast of Portugal. Protein and energy contents of O. calypso were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those observed for coastal octopods, suggesting that the gelatinous musculature of the cirrate octopus may not be a direct consequence of food limitation, but rather associated with reduced selective pressure for strong swimming ability in the deep sea. Moreover, principal component analyses of fatty acid (FA) data clearly separated coastal octopods from O. calypso. Saturated FA biomarkers (namely 16:0, 17:0, 18:0) and monounsaturated FA 22:1 suggest a higher phytodetrital influence on diet of O. calypso. A clear separation between groups was also observed with amino acid (AA) data. However, essential AA and non-essential AA designations (based on the flow of carbon through biochemical systems) do not necessarily provide an accurate picture of the origins of amino nitrogen in the deep-sea environment. Consequently, the interpretation of the present data is a challenging task but opens a new window of opportunity to unravel new trophic biomarkers in the deep sea.     

Toxic effects of the ingestion of water-soluble elements found in soil under the atmospheric influence of an industrial complex

In this study, we investigated the toxic effects of water-soluble elements from a contaminated soil via gavage in a single dose, simulating a geophagy event. The contaminated soil was collected in a field located in an industrial complex, and the control soil was collected in a reference area. Metabolic and behavioral parameters in Wistar male rats were measured after 24 and 96 h of gavage. After 96 h, the major organs were weighed, blood was collected to check hematological parameters, the bone marrow was taken for the micronucleus test, and the liver was used for evaluating the total antioxidant capacity, lipoperoxidation and protein carbonylation. Animals exposed to contaminated soil presented a few significant alterations by comparison with control animals: TBARS and protein carbonyl levels increased, the relative weight of the kidneys increased, metabolic parameters (body weight gain, food intake, water consumption, urine and feces production) depressed and there was behavioral alteration. These findings suggest that soils impacted by atmospheric contaminants can affect the organism physiological status jeopardizing the health of populations living in industrial areas. Finally, this study reassures that ingestion of potentially contaminated soils, even for short periods of time, can cause health risks.     

Environmental performance evaluation of agro-industrial innovations – part 1: Ambitec-Life Cycle,a methodological approach for considering life cycle thinking

As sustainability considerations increasingly dominate the technology development debate worldwide, practical approaches to assess environmental performance of innovations have been warranted. The present study (Part 1) introduces Ambitec-Life Cycle, a method derived from Ambitec-Agro for considering life cycle thinking in the environmental performance evaluation (EPE) of agro-industrial innovations. An agro-industrial innovation case study related to residue recycling is presented, revealing steps in the product life cycle where opportunities are best for technological improvements. In Part 2 (this issue) of this study, a methodological approach for considering the environmental vulnerability of watersheds and to integrate this analysis in EPE methods is presented. This approach is applied to Ambitec-Life Cycle and to the same residue case study, allowing the identification of performance indicators with greater potential to cause impacts at the studied watersheds.     

Hepatitis A Outbreaks and Environmental Circulation of Genotype IA Strains in the São Paulo City, 2017–2018

Food and Environmental Virology - Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the major cause of enterically transmitted infectious hepatitis. Between 2016 and 2017, the number of confirmed cases of hepatitis A...     

Hepatitis E Virus in Water Environments: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Food and Environmental Virology - Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is responsible for acute hepatitis in humans, through foodborne, zoonotic, and waterborne transmission routes. This study aimed to assess...