Occurrence of psychoactive compounds and their metabolites in groundwater downgradient of a decommissioned sewage farm in Berlin (Germany)

Purpose

Psychoactive compounds??meprobamate, pyrithyldione, primidone, and its metabolites, phenobarbital, and phenylethylmalonamide??were detected in groundwater within the catchment area of a drinking water treatment plant located downgradient of a former sewage farm in Berlin, Germany. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of the psychoactive compounds in anoxic groundwater and to assess the risk of drinking water contamination. Groundwater age was determined to achieve a better understanding of present hydrogeological conditions.

Methods

A large number of observation and production wells were sampled. Samples were analyzed using solid-phase extraction and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography?Ctandem mass spectrometry. Groundwater age was estimated using the helium?Ctritium (³He?C³H) dating method.

Results

Concentrations of psychoactive compounds up to 1???g/L were encountered in the contamination plume. Generally, concentrations of phenobarbital and meprobamate were the highest. Elevated concentrations of the analytes were also detected in raw water from abstraction wells located approximately 2.5?km downgradient of the former sewage farm. Concentrations in the final drinking water were below the limit of quantification owing to dilution. The age of shallow groundwater samples ranged from years to a decade, whereas groundwater was up to four decades old at 40?m below ground. Concentrations of the compounds increased with groundwater age.

Conclusions

Elevated concentrations of psychoactive drugs indicate a strong persistence of these compounds in the environment under anoxic aquifer conditions. Results suggest that the heritage of sewage irrigation will affect raw water quality in the area for decades. Therefore, further monitoring of raw and final drinking water is recommended to ensure that contaminant concentrations remain below the health-based precautionary value.     

Approaches to integrating indicators into 3D landscape visualisations and their benefits for participative planning situations

In discussing issues of landscape change, the complex relationships in the landscape have to be assessed. In participative planning processes, 3D visualisations have a high potential as an aid in understanding and communicating characteristics of landscape conditions by integrating visual and non-visual landscape information. Unclear is, which design and how much interactivity is required for an indicator visualisation that would suit stakeholders best in workshop situations. This paper describes the preparation and application of three different types of integrated 3D visualisations in workshops conducted in the Entlebuch UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (CH). The results reveal that simple representations of a complex issue created by draping thematic maps on the 3D model can make problematic developments visible at a glance; that diagrams linked to the spatial context can help draw attention to problematic relationships not considered beforehand; and that the size of species as indicators of conditions of the landscape's production and biotope function seems to provide a common language for stakeholders with different perspectives. Overall, the of the indicators the functions required to assist in information processing. Further research should focus on testing the effectiveness of the integrated visualisation tools in participative processes for the general public.     

Changes in toxicity and Ah receptor agonist activity of suspended particulate matter during flood events at the rivers Neckar and Rhine — a mass balance approach using in vitro methods and chemical analysis

Background, aim, and scope  

As a consequence of flood events, runoff and remobilized sediments may cause an increase of ecotoxicologically relevant effects from contaminant reservoirs. Aquatic and terrestrial organisms as well as cattle and areas of settlement are exposed to dislocated contaminants during and after flood events. In this study, the impacts of two flood events triggered by intense rain at the rivers Neckar and Rhine (Southern Germany) were studied. Effects in correlation to flood flow were assessed at the river Neckar using samples collected at frequent intervals. River Rhine suspended particulate matter (SPM) was sampled over a longer period at normal flow and during a flood event. Three cell lines (H4L1.1c4, GPC.2D.Luc, RTL-W1) were used to compare Ah receptor agonist activity in different biotest systems. Multilayer fractionation was performed to identify causative compounds, focusing on persistent organic contaminants.     

The use of respirometric measurements to determine the toxicity of textile dyes in aqueous solution and after oxidative decolourisation processes

Selected results from the degradation of reactive-dye hydrolysates after UV irradiation, ozonation and sodium peroxodisulphate (NaPS) treatment are presented. Reactive dyes with representative chromophores and anchor groups were chosen for the research project. Different stages of oxidative decolourisation were examined and determined by water parameters for biological degradation (BOD). The paper focuses on toxicity tests with Pseudomonas putida to consider whether the oxidative treatments result in products with a risk for the environment. Tests were performed with the AQUALYTIC^® Sensomat System, which measures biological oxygen demand (BOD). It was determined that the chosen oxidative treatments had as a rule no bearing on respiration of P. putida. Experiments with hydrolysates after short-term UV irradiation resulted in a slightly increased but not long-lasting toxicity in comparison with treatments with ozone or NaPS. Toxic effects were found in tests with hydrolysates of metalliferous dyes. During oxidative treatment, metals were liberated from the chromophores. This did cause complete inhibition of respiration of P. putida. Dye Blue E, a member of a dye class with chlorotriazine anchor groups, was itself found to be toxic, caused by the reactivity of the anchor group. The hydrolysate is only of minor toxicity.     

Using participation to create resilience: how to involve citizens in designing a hospital system?

Decisions on health-related risks affect many people personally. The public debate on hospital planning is therefore especially emotional and conflict-ridden. Due to the aging population and the high costs of constantly improving medical care, the question arises in many German rural areas as to which hospitals can be kept and developed further and which ones should be closed. The new approach of the present state government of Baden-Württemberg in Germany, in collaboration with the University of Stuttgart and the State Health Office Baden-Württemberg, is to apply citizen participation to prepare this type of decision. The design of this type of public participation process is based on the criteria of mediation (including open decision-making scope, opportunity for discussion in the protected context of the working group, as well as disclosure of all information and transparency of the results toward the public). This approach has proven useful for conducting dialogs in areas with potential conflict. Based on the experiences from this hospital participation process, further recommendations for an effective, efficient and fair participation processes could be derived. The case demonstrates that adequate and structured involvement processes are capable of delivering sustainably acceptable results even in difficult decision-making processes.     

Levels and determinants of beta(1-->3)-glucans and fungal extracellular polysaccharides in house dust of (pre-)school children in three European countries

BACKGROUND: Mold growth is believed to be one causative factor underlying the association between dampness in buildings and increased respiratory morbidity. Measurements of beta(1-->3)-glucans and fungal extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) are used as markers of mold exposure in field studies. Little is known about their levels and determinants in homes. OBJECTIVE: To study levels and determinants of beta(1-->3)-glucan and EPS levels in mattress and living room floor dust in three European countries. METHODS: Mattress and living room floor dust was collected in the homes of 1065 German, Dutch, and Swedish (pre-)school children. All samples were analyzed for beta(1-->3)-glucans and EPS in one central laboratory. Determinants were assessed by questionnaire. RESULTS: Amounts of dust, EPS and beta(1-->3)-glucan levels differed between countries. Amounts of dust, beta(1-->3)-glucan and EPS levels for mattresses were only weakly correlated with those for living room floors. Floor dust beta(1-->3)-glucan loads, EPS loads and EPS concentrations were strongly correlated with the amount of dust sampled, which is largely determined by the type of floor that was sampled (carpeted floors had 5-20 higher amounts of dust). None of the other determinants was consistently and statistically significantly associated with amounts of dust, beta(1-->3)-glucan and EPS concentrations on floors and mattresses. CONCLUSION: Mattress dust and floor dust are two different measures of exposure to the investigated mold components. Living room floor beta(1-->3)-glucan and EPS loads and EPS concentrations are largely determined by the type of floor sampled. Differences between countries can only partly be explained by the determinants studied.     

Monitoring von PAK-Metaboliten in Aalmuttern (Zoarces viviparus) aus der Wismar-Bucht

Background, aim, and scope Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are important environmental contaminants in the marine environment. The Baltic is known to be significantly contaminated with PAH. The eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) has been used for coastal monitoring in the Baltic. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether the eelpout can be used to investigate PAH contamination in the Mecklenburg Bight and whether PAH sources may be revealed by the relation of the metabolites. Material and methods PAH metabolites were determined in the bile fluid of eelpout caught in spring 2008 at three sampling locations in the Wismar Bight. Two metabolites were determined by means of HPLC and fluorescence detection. In addition, bile pigments were measured photometrically. Results The concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene in bile were significantly different at all three sampling locations under investigation. Highest concentrations were found near the city of Wismar with a mean value of 1086?ng/ml. Concentrations for individual fish ranged from <22.5 to 3317?ng/ml 1-hydroxypyrene. Concentrations of 1-hydroxyphenanthrene were lower and ranged from 2.1 to 803?ng/ml in individual samples. In fish caught next to the city of Wismar a mean value of 96?ng/ml 1-hydroxyphenanthrene was calculated. Discussion In the light of substantial anthropogenic contamination in this area caused by harbor, shipyards and shipping traffic, high values of 1-hydroxypyrene found in eelpout near the city of Wismar appear to be very plausible. Furtheron, the 1-hydroxypyrene results are in accordance to literature data. 1-Hydroxyphenantrene in eelpout bile was found in higher concentrations compared to earlier investigations. Spatial differences in the relation of the two metabolites may indicate a local source of PAH. Recommendations and perspectives PAH metabolites are useful parameters for monitoring the PAH pollution of fish like eelpout. Additional information regarding potential PAH sources can be gained from the relations of individual metabolites.     

Acute toxicity of 353-nonylphenol and its metabolites for zebrafish embryos

Background, aim and scope  Nonylphenol (NP) can be detected in the aquatic environment all over the world. It is applied as a technical mixture of isomers of which 353-NP is the most relevant both in terms of abundance (about 20% of total mass) and endocrine potential. 353-NP is metabolised in sewage sludge. The aims of the present study were to determine and to compare the acute toxicity of t-NP, 353-NP and its metabolites as well as to discuss if the toxicity of 353-NP changes during degradation. Materials and methods  353-NP and two of its metabolites were synthesised. The zebrafish embryo test was performed according to standard protocols. Several lethal and non-lethal endpoints during embryonal development were reported. NOEL, LOEL and EC₅₀ were calculated. Results  All tested compounds caused lethal as well as non-lethal malformations during embryo development. 353-NP showed a higher toxicity (EC₅₀ for lethal endpoints 6.7 mg/L) compared to its metabolites 4-(3.5-dimethyl-3-heptyl)-2-nitrophenol (EC₅₀ 13.3 mg/L) and 4-(3,5-dimethyl-3-heptyl)-2-bromophenol (EC₅₀ 27.1 mg/L). Discussion  In surface water, concentrations of NP are far below the NOEC identified by the zebrafish embryo test. However, in soils and sewage sludge, concentrations may reach or even exceed these concentrations. Therefore, sludge-treated sites close to surface waters should be analysed for NP and its metabolites in order to detect an unduly high contamination due to runoff events. Conclusions  The results of the present study point out that the toxicity of 353-NP probably declines during metabolisation in water, sediment and soil, but does not vanish since the major metabolites exhibit a clear toxic potential for zebrafish embryos. Recommendations and perspectives  Metabolites of environmental pollutants should be included in the ecotoxicological test strategy for a proper risk assessment. An erratum to this article can be found at