The composition and relationships between trace element levels in inhalable atmospheric particles (PM10) and in leaves of Nerium oleander L. and Lantana camara L

In order to evaluate the composition of inhalable atmospheric particles and to study the relationship between trace element levels in PM10 and in leaves of two plant species, the amount of Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ti and V were analysed in PM10 and in Nerium oleander L. and Lantana camara L. leaves from two sites in the city of Seville and one remote control site. In PM10, the Cu and Fe content was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the control site than in the other sites. No correlations between leaf content and air content were found for the elements in L. camara. On the contrary, positive and significant correlations (p<0.05) were found between leaf content of N. oleander and PM10 content for Cu and Fe. The data suggest that N. oleander can be used in atmospheric biomonitoring studies, because it is especially useful for Cu and Fe, N. oleander being a better indicator than L. camara.     

Decolourization of synthetic dyes by Trametes hirsuta in expanded-bed reactors

The present paper studies the decolourization of different synthetic dyes (Indigo Carmine, Bromophenol Blue, Methyl Orange and Poly R-478) by the white-rot fungus Trametes hirsuta at bioreactor scale under solid-state conditions, operating with ground orange peelings as a support-substrate. Dye decolourization was performed in both batch and continuous mode. Batch cultivation led to high decolourization percentages in a short time (100% for Indigo Carmine in 3h and 85% for Bromophenol Blue in 7 h). As for continuous cultivation, different hydraulic retention times (HRT) were studied (0.8, 1, 1.5 and 3d). The highest decolourization percentages were obtained operating at a HRT of 3d, especially for the dyes Methyl Orange and Poly R-478 (81.4% and 46.9%, respectively). This is a very interesting result, since there are few studies dealing with the continuous decolourization of dyes at bioreactor scale by fungal laccases.     

Geochemical evidences of the anthropogenic alteration of trace metal composition of the sediments of Chiricahueto marsh (SE Gulf of California)

Seven sediment cores (60-80 cm) were collected at Chiricahueto marsh, a salt marsh influenced by agrochemical, domestic and industrial effluents. The concentrations of Ag, Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Pb, V and Zn were studied in the solid phase at each 1-cm section. The profiles of Ag, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn showed a slight recent pollution in the site with enrichment and anthropogenic factors higher than unity; and correlation analysis indicated a direct association with organic carbon. Al, Co, Cr, Fe, Li, and V concentration profiles displayed a negative correlation with organic C and positive with mud content and no consistent enrichment at surface. Based on the principal component analysis and correlation analysis, two principal groups of metals were identified. The first group includes Al, Co, Cr, Fe and Li, that are derived predominantly from the weathering of parent materials in the local bedrock; and the second group include most of the metals, which were relatively enriched at surficial sediments, that are produced mainly by anthropogenic activities such as agriculture (Cd, Cu and Zn), sewage effluents (Ag, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) and in lesser extent atmospheric deposition (Cd and Pb).     

Determination of microbiological contamination,antibacterial and antioxidant activities of natural plant hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) pollen

The aim of our study is to determine microbial contamination, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of 14 pollen samples of Corylus avellana collected from different locations in Slovakia. Microbiological analysis was carried out in two steps: microbiological assays and studies of antibacterial activity of pollen extracts. The antimicrobial properties of pollen extracts were carried out with the disc-diffusion method. Methanol (70%), ethanol (70%) and distilled water were used for pollen extracts. Five strains of bacteria such as gram-negative (Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica CCM 3807, Escherichia coli CCM 2024, and Yersinia enterocolitica CCM 5671) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus CCM 2461 and Bacillus thuringiensis CCM 19T) were tested. Antioxidant activity of pollen extracts was determined by the DPPH method. Bacterial analysis includes the determination of the total bacterial count ranged from 4.08 to 4.61 log CFU g^?1, mesophilic aerobic bacteria ranged from 3.40 to 4.89 log CFU g^?1, mesophilic anaerobic bacteria ranged from 3.20 to 4.52 log CFU g^?1, coliform bacteria ranged from 3.30 to 4.55 log CFU g^?1, yeasts and filamentous fungi ranged from 3.00 to 3.56 log CFU g^?1. Microscopic filamentous fungi Aspergillus spp., Alternaria spp., Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp., Rhizopus spp., and Paecylomyces spp. were isolated from hazelnut pollen. Yersinia enterocolitica was the most sensitive strain among ethanolic and methanolic pollen hazelnut extracts. Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive strain against aqueous hazelnut pollen extracts. We determined the following sensitivity against ethanol pollen extracts respectively: Yersinia enterocolitica?>?Salmonella enterica?>?Staphylococcus aureus?>?Bacillus thuringiensis?>?Escherichia coli. Methanol pollen extracts had shown following sensitivity: Yersinia enterocolitica?>?Salmonella enterica?>?Escherichia coli?>?Staphylococcus aureus?>?Bacillus thuringiensis. Aqueous extracts had shown the following sensitivity: Staphylococcus aureus?>?Salmonella enterica?>?Escherichia coli?>?Bacillus thuringiensis?>?Yersinia enterocolitica. Hazelnut pollen extracts have over 82% antioxidant capacity in samples from non-urban zones. An elevated level of antioxidant potential in the pollen is determined by its biological properties conditioned by biologically active substances. DPPH method allowed characterizing pollen as a source of antioxidants.     

Ovariectomy predisposes female rats to fine particulate matter exposure’s effects by altering metabolic,oxidative, pro-inflammatory,and heat-shock protein levels

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The reduction of estrogen levels, as a result of menopause, is associated with the development of metabolic diseases caused by alterations in...     

Guarana improves behavior and inflammatory alterations triggered by methylmercury exposure: an in vivo fruit fly and in vitro neural cells study

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-known environmental pollutant associated with neurological and developmental deficits in animals and humans. However,...     

纳米零价铁对铀尾矿库土壤中铀形态分布及固定效果的影响

针对纳米零价铁(nZVI)对铀尾矿库土壤中铀形态分布和U(Ⅵ)固定效果影响问题,采用逐级化学提取、毒性浸出(TCLP)和磁性分离实验,利用SEM-EDS和XRD对nZVI固定前后的铀尾矿土壤进行表征;研究了nZVI在不同投加量和pH条件下,对尾矿库土壤固定前后铀的形态分布和固定效果的影响,并对nZVI的固定机理进行了探讨。结果表明：当nZVI的投加量为8%、pH为5时,土壤中U(Ⅵ)的固定效果最好,固定后土壤中铀的毒性浸出值仅为13.98%;对经过nZVI处理后的铀尾矿土壤进行磁性分离发现,磁性和非磁性土壤重量占比分别为32.87%和67.13%,其铀含量分别达到55.05%和44.95%,说明nZVI对土壤中的U(Ⅵ)有较好的富集作用。nZVI对铀尾矿库土壤中的U(Ⅵ)有较好的原位固定和富集效果,并能减少土壤中铀的析出。     

工业化规模超声波预处理对不同固体浓度污泥厌氧消化性能的影响

针对活性污泥厌氧消化水解速率慢的问题,通过工业化规模超声波反应器对不同固体浓度污泥开展了破解研究。采用粒径分析及溶解性COD、蛋白质和多糖浓度监测的方法研究了超声波破解前后污泥物理化学特性的变化;评估了超声波破解对污泥厌氧消化产甲烷潜力及有机物降解规律的影响。结果表明：工业化规模超声波破解不同固体浓度污泥后,污泥粒径均有所降低,而溶解性COD、蛋白质和多糖的浓度均有增加;超声波对污泥的破解程度与破解时间和固体浓度有关,其随破解时间增加而增加,随污泥固体浓度增加而减弱;超声波破解固体浓度2%和4%的污泥30 min后,累积甲烷产率分别提升41.2%和30.2%,当破解时间和固体浓度进一步增加时,污泥甲烷产率无明显变化。本研究结果可为超声波破解污泥技术的工业化应用提供参考。     

Comprehensive estimate of the theoretical maximum daily intake of pesticide residues for chronic dietary risk assessment in Argentina

A chronic dietary risk assessment for pesticide residues was conducted for four age groups of the Argentinian population following the procedure recommended by the WHO. The National Theoretical Maximum Daily Intake (NTMDI) for 308 pesticides was calculated for the first time, using the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) from several Argentinean regulations and food consumption data from a comprehensive National Nutrition and Health Survey. The risk was estimated by comparing the TMDI with the Acceptable Daily Intakes (ADI) identified by various sources. Furthermore, for each of the compounds with a TMDI >65% of the ADI, a probabilistic analysis was conducted to quantify the probability of exceeding the ADI. In this study 27, 22, 10, and 6 active ingredients (a.i.) were estimated to exceed the 100% of the ADI for the different population groups: 6–23 month-old children, 2–5 year-old children, pregnant women, and 10–49 year-old women, respectively. Some of these ADI-exceeding compounds (carbofuran, diazinon, dichlorvos, dimethoate, oxydemeton-methyl and methyl bromide) were found in all four of these groups. Milk, apples, potatoes, and tomatoes were the foods that contributed most to the intake of these pesticides. The study is of primary importance for the improvement of risk assessment, regulations, and monitoring activities.     

低温等离子体净化尾气中的颗粒相多环芳烃

利用低温等离子体（NTP）净化车用柴油机尾气中的颗粒相多环芳烃（PAHs）,基于电晕放电的原理,设计了NTP发生装置。使用色谱质谱联用仪分析经过NTP净化前后柴油机尾气中颗粒相多环芳烃的含量,观察NTP对颗粒相多环芳烃的净化效果。结果表明,颗粒相小分子量PAHs除菲、蒽外,其他4种多环芳烃的含量显著增加,其中萘、苊变化率达1 130.4%和758.57%;大分子量PAHs除苯并（ghi）芘外,多环芳烃的含量降低达80%以上;NTP对柴油机尾气中颗粒相多环芳烃含量及毒性当量的净化率分别达58.4%和82.8%。