Organotropism of total mercury (THg) in Cichla pinima,ecological aspects and human consumption in fish from Amazon region,Brazil

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Specimens of the Cichla pinima are of ecological and economic importance in the Amazon region and are a good bioindicator species of Hg...     

Toxicity evaluation of vinasse and biosolid samples in diplopod midgut: heat shock protein in situ localization

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Large amounts of residues generated by agricultural, urban and industrial activities are dumped daily on the soil. This practice deserves special...     

Haematological changes in fluorotic adults and children in fluoride endemic regions of Gaya district,Bihar, India

Groundwater used for drinking and cooking was analysed for fluoride (F), and health surveys were conducted in Bodh Gaya, Amas and Bankebazaar blocks of the Gaya district, Bihar, India. Amas and Bankebazaar blocks were F endemic areas with mean F = 2.36 ± 0.23 mg/L (N = 27). Bodh Gaya was considered as control area with mean F = 0.59 ± 0.03 mg/L (N = 11). Health survey showed that more than 50 % of adults and more than 55 % of children had complaints of gastro-intestinal (GI) disturbances in the F endemic areas, while less than 20 % of adults and less than 10 % of children complained of GI problems in the control areas. Haematological analyses were conducted on age- and sex-matched fluorotic subjects (N = 93) of F endemic areas, and non-fluorotic subjects (N = 52) of control area showed lowered haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration in the fluorotic subjects, suggesting the occurrence of anaemia in the fluorotic subjects.     

Ecological and economic valuation of the Potengi estuary mangrove wetlands (NE,Brazil) using ancillary spatial data

This study aimed at the ecological-economic valuation of the Potengi estuary mangrove wetlands, based on the integration of spatial data (mangrove forest coverage map, Nautical Chart, Environmental Sensitivity Chart) with data from literature on the biogeochemistry of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and heavy metals in the mangrove estuary wetland Potengi) and field verification data (topographic profile of mangrove forest, GPS routes obtained in the field in the touristy sightseeing areas and plots of mariculture). The ecological and economic valuation of the services performed by the Potengi estuary mangrove wetlands, mainly as biogeochemical barrier for the transport of P, N and heavy metals in tropical coastal areas, were obtained just as if the retention of those elements was necessary by Wastewater Treatment Plants (WTP) with Stabilization Ponds, typical in the estuary, and Zeolitic plant, respectively. Closer to real scenarios were observed for obtaining the values of these ecological services, such as the release of the P, N and heavy metals in domestic and industrial sewage in the estuary, the capability of dilution and the influence of the tides in the estuary. The tourism potential of the Potengi estuary mangrove wetlands were assessed according to the current forms of use, and potential of aquaculture through the main types of farming in mangrove areas. For these ecological services, considerable values were obtained of about USS15,500/ha, such as costs of implementation and construction of sewage treatment plants, as well as costs of sewage treatment plants. Nearly US$ 12.500 / ha amount each year from tourism and aquaculture income, demonstrating the economic viability of the Potengi estuary mangrove wetlands conservation.     

Evaluation of chelating and cytoprotective activity of vanillin against the toxic action of mercuric chloride as an alternative for phytoremediation

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - Mercury is widely found in nature, however, in low concentrations, but anthropological activities have increased its concentration considerably. This causes...     

Electrochemical removal of synthetic textile dyes from aqueous solutions using Ti/Pt anode: role of dye structure

In this work, the efficiency of electrochemical oxidation (EO) was investigated for removing a dye mixture containing Novacron Yellow (NY) and Remazol Red (RR) in aqueous solutions using platinum supported on titanium (Ti/Pt) as anode. Different current densities (20, 40 and 60 mA cm^?2) and temperatures (25, 40 and 60 °C) were studied during electrochemical treatment. After that, the EO of each of these dyes was separately investigated. The EO of each of these dyes was performed, varying only the current density and keeping the same temperature (25 °C). The elimination of colour was monitored by UV-visible spectroscopy, and the degradation of organic compounds was analysed by means of chemical oxygen demand (COD). Data obtained from the analysis of the dye mixture showed that the EO process was effective in colour removal, in which more than 90 % was removed. In the case of COD removal, the application of a current density greater than 40 mA cm^?2 favoured the oxygen evolution reaction, and no complete oxidation was achieved. Regarding the analysis of individual anodic oxidation dyes, it was appreciated that the data for the NY were very close to the results obtained for the oxidation of the dye mixture while the RR dye achieved higher colour removal but lower COD elimination. These results suggest that the oxidation efficiency is dependent on the nature of the organic molecule, and it was confirmed by the intermediates identified. Figure

Chemical structures of a NY and b RR     

Insights into real cotton-textile dyeing wastewater treatment using solar advanced oxidation processes

Different advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) were applied to the treatment of a real cotton-textile dyeing wastewater as a pre-oxidation step to enhance the biodegradability of the recalcitrant compounds, which can be further oxidized using a biological process. Tests were conducted on a lab-scale prototype using artificial solar radiation and at pilot scale with compound parabolic collectors using natural solar radiation. The cotton-textile dyeing wastewater presents a lilac color, with a maximum absorbance peak at 641 nm, alkaline pH (pH?=?8.2), moderate organic content (DOC?=?152 mg C L^?1, COD?=?684 mg O₂ L^?1) and low-moderate biodegradability (40 % after 28 days in Zahn–Wellens test). All the tested processes contributed to an effective decolorization and mineralization, but the most efficient process was the solar-photo-Fenton with an optimum catalyst concentration of 60 mg Fe²⁺ L^?1, leading to 98.5 % decolorization and 85.5 % mineralization after less than 0.1 and 5.8 kJ_UV L^?1, respectively. In order to achieve a final wastewater with a COD below 250 mg O₂ L^?1 (discharge limit into water bodies imposed by the Portuguese Legislation-Portaria no. 423/97 of 25 June 1997), considering the combination of a solar-photo-Fenton reaction with a biological process, the phototreatment energy required is 0.5 kJ_UV L^?1, consuming 7.5 mM hydrogen peroxide, resulting in 58.4 % of mineralization $ \left({t}_{30\mathrm{W}}=3.2\ \min; \overline{T}=30.7\ {}^{\circ}\mathrm{C};\overline{\mathrm{pH}}=2.80;{\overline{\mathrm{UV}}}_{G,n}={13\ \mathrm{W}\ \mathrm{m}}^{-2}\right). $      

Bioaccumulation of butyltins and liver damage in the demersal fish Cathorops spixii (Siluriformes,Ariidae)

The toxicity of butyltin compounds (BTs), mainly tributyltin (TBT), has been reported in different organisms. However, such an analysis in fish after field exposure with reference to the related biomarkers has not been commonly observed in the literature. This study presents the uptake of BTs in the liver of a neotropical marine catfish Cathorops spixii in Paranagua Bay, an important estuarine system located in southern Brazil. Two different areas, close to and distant from the harbor, were used for chemical analysis evaluation of hepatotoxicity through genetic, enzymatic, and histopathological biomarkers. The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bile was also considered as a biomarker. The results showed a significant relationship between TBT levels and the inhibition of biotransformation enzymes and high occurrence of melanomacrophages in fish collected close to the harbor site. These effects were linked to the absence of TBT metabolites in the liver. In the second site, the presence of DBT was associated with an increase in EROD and GST activity. The larger amount of DNA damage as well as the highest oxidative stress was noted in fish from the less TBT-polluted area, where DBT and bile PAHs occurred. These findings showed different impact levels due to or increased by the chronic exposure of biota to BTs.