Genotoxicity biomarkers in the amphipod Gammarus elvirae exposed in vivo to mercury and lead,and basal levels of DNA damage in two cell types

The present work deals with the application of genotoxicity biomarkers by means of the Comet assay in haemocytes and spermatozoa of the crustacean Gammarus elvirae exposed in vivo to heavy metals. Furthermore, a basal levels (BLs) study of DNA damage in the two cell types considered for two different gammarids species, G. elvirae and Echinogammarus veneris, was carried out. It is important to identify factors that influence the outcome of the assay in order to obtain reliable and reproducible results usable for risk assessment purposes. Our results highlight that the Italian legal limits for Hg and Pb, respectively, 0.5 and 50?µg/L, are inadequate for establishing safety thresholds in the aquatic environment. Furthermore, the freshwater invertebrate G. elvirae, used for the first time to measure the effect of genotoxicants, is a good candidate for evaluating the genotoxicity damage induced by heavy metals. Our results concerning spermatozoa show excessively variable responses and high BLs.     

Using regression models to evaluate the formation of trihalomethanes and haloacetonitriles via chlorination of source water with low SUVA values in the Yangtze River Delta region,China

The purpose of this study was to develop the multiple regression models to evaluate the formation of trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetonitriles (HANs) during chlorination of source water with low specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) in Yangtze River Delta, China. The results showed that the regression models of THMs exhibited good accuracy and precision, and 86–97 % of the calculated values fell within ±25 % of the measured values. While the HANs models showed relatively weak evaluation ability, as only 75–83 % of the calculated values were within ±25 % of the measured values. The organic matter [dissolved organic carbon (DOC) or UV absorbance at 254 nm] and bromide exerted the most important influence on the formation of HANs. While for THMs, besides the organic matter and bromide, reaction time was also a key factor. Comparing the models for total THMs (T-THMs) in this study with others revealed that the regression models from the low SUVA waters may have low DOC coefficients, but high bromide coefficients as compared with those from the high SUVA waters.     

Approaching the binding between Cu(II) and aerobic granules by a modified titration and µ-XRF

Interactions between metals and activated sludge can substantially affect the fate and transport of heavy metals in wastewater treatment plants. Therefore, it is important to develop a simple, fast and efficient method to elucidate the interaction. In this study, a modified titration method with a dynamic mode was developed to investigate the binding of Cu(II), a typical heavy metal, onto aerobic granules. The titration results indicated that pH and ionic strength both had a positive effect on the biosorption capacity of the granular sludge. The µ-XRF results demonstrated that the distribution of metals on the granular surface was heterogeneous, and Cu showed strong correlations and had the same “hot spots” positions with other metal ions (e.g., Ca, Mg, Fe etc.). Ion exchange and complexing were the main mechanisms for the biosorption of Cu(II) by aerobic granules. These results would be beneficial for better understanding of Cu(II) migration and its fate in wastewater treatment plants.     

Criteria and indicators for a bioenergy production industry identified via stakeholder participation

As bioenergy production expands and new bioenergy-based technologies emerge, there is a growing concern regarding the sustainability of their ecological and socioeconomic impacts. Comprehensive sustainability assessments are needed to address this concern and to assure that the development of the bioenergy industry meets sustainability goals. Most sustainability assessments for bioenergy are expert-driven, broad, and largely motivated by an interest in optimizing international trade in bioenergy. As a result, social and cultural sustainability targets are vague or underdeveloped. In this study, we developed a sustainability assessment for a regional bioenergy production industry in Upper Michigan, using stakeholder participation. Semi-structured interviews and focus group meetings were used to elicit participants’ concerns and opinion. These concerns were translated into sustainability Criteria and Indicators (C&Is), many of which could be supported with available science. Some of the C&Is identified by participants were unique to the region. Sustainability C&Is were broadly categorized into economic (C = 5; I = 22), environmental (C = 6; I = 12), social (C = 3; I = 9), policy and regulations (C = 3; I = 13), and institutional capacity (C = 4; I = 13). While participants could identify indicators for most of the criteria (many of which are also supported by existing literature), further research and validation will be necessary to identify measurable, practical, and bias-free indicators for all criteria.     

2种毒性评估方法对PAHs污染场地人体健康风险的比较研究

毒性评估是人体健康风险评价的重要部分,目前主要存在2种方法,一种基于PAHs相对于苯并[a]芘(BaP)的毒性当量因子,采用Ba P致癌斜率因子参数(方法 1),另一种直接采用各PAHs致癌斜率因子和非致癌参考剂量等参数(方法 2)。然而2种毒性评估方法得到的风险及修复量是否存在差异以及引起差异的原因等问题鲜有讨论。针对苏南某焦化厂PAHs污染土壤,采用分层土壤健康风险评价模型,对比了2种毒性评估方法确定的PAHs风险、修复目标污染物及土方量的差异,并对引起差异的关键因素进行探讨。结果表明:对于0.0~1.0 m表层土壤,方法 1和方法 2确定的致癌风险最大值分别1.48E-05和1.32E-05,均超过可接受致癌风险,修复土方量分别为27 846 m~3和28 667 m3,修复目标污染物均为Ba P和二苊烃(Acy)。对于1.0~3.0 m深层土壤,方法 1确定的致癌风险最大值为3.36E-08,低于可接受致癌风险,不需要修复;而方法 2确定的致癌风险最大值为3.73E-04,非致癌危害指数最大值为6.96E+01,分别超过可接受致癌风险和非致癌危害商,需要修复,修复目标污染物为萘(NaP),修复土方量为35 944 m~3。最终,方法 2确定的总修复土方量(64 611 m~3)为方法 1确定土方量(27 846 m~3)的2.45倍,而这种差异主要是由于方法 1低估了深层土壤中高挥发性PAH单体尤其是NaP的风险所致。因此,从保守角度建议采用方法 2进行PAHs风险评价。     

丙烯酰胺对斑马鱼各器官的毒性作用及生殖细胞的DNA损伤

在我国,聚丙烯酰胺(PAM)主要应用于石油开采,其长期暴露于环境中可以降解成有毒的丙烯酰胺(AM)。为探究在降解过程中AM的毒性作用,选择斑马鱼作为受试动物,进行AM长期毒性暴露40 d,考察了对斑马鱼的肝脏、脑组织、心脏、腮等器官的影响情况。结果表明:在2.04 mg·L~(-1)、6.12 mg·L~(-1)和18.36 mg·L~(-1)暴露浓度下,形态学观察斑马鱼的鳃丝,鳃小片和鳃细胞有严重的受损现象;随着浓度的升高斑马鱼肝脏、脑组织和心脏中MDA含量、LDH活力的升高,SDH和Na+-K+-ATPase活力的降低,均对其肝脏、脑组织和心脏造成氧化损伤作用,从而影响了斑马鱼体内细胞能量代谢过程。采用彗星试验检测斑马鱼的生殖腺细胞DNA损伤,结果显示暴露于浓度为2.04 mg·L~(-1)~18.36 mg·L~(-1)的AM后,斑马鱼的DNA损伤均表现为显著差异(P0.01)。上述研究结果均确定了AM对斑马鱼的毒性效应并可造成其生殖腺细胞的DNA损伤。     

邻苯二甲酸酯降解细菌的多样性、降解机理及环境应用

邻苯二甲酸酯(phthalic acid esters,PAEs)是一类对人体内分泌系统有干扰作用的持续性有机污染物(persistent organic pol utants,POPs)。PAEs在环境介质如水体、底泥和土壤中长期赋存会对生物体产生毒害效应,其分布广、浓度高和难降解等特点是限制有效环境治理的主要因素。作为环境的重要组成部分,微生物对污染物有很强的适应能力和高效的降解能力,这为PAEs的生物修复提供了可能。与物理化学修复法相比,微生物修复技术具有可控性强、修复面广和灵活性高等优势。本文综述了已报道的大部分PAEs降解细菌的种类及其代谢机制,并分析了其在PAEs污染水体和土壤修复中的应用现状与前景,以期为PAEs环境行为与生物修复研究提供参考。     

长三角农田土壤中滴滴涕的污染特征与生态风险

以长江三角洲地区农田土壤为研究对象,分析了土壤和蔬菜中滴滴涕(DDTs)的残留水平和空间分布特征,评估了DDTs对土壤生态和人体健康的潜在风险。结果显示,长三角地区农田土壤中DDTs含量范围为0.2~3 520 ng·g-1,平均63.8 ng·g-1,主要残留在土壤耕作层(0~30 cm)。土壤中DDTs及其代谢产物残留量较低,98.5%的点位土壤符合《中国土壤环境质量标准》的二级标准。15%的蔬菜样品中检出DDTs,其浓度为相应土壤DDTs浓度的9%~18%,土壤残留的DDTs通过食物链进入人体导致的健康风险很小。低残留DDTs对土壤微生物的群落结构和多样性无显著影响(-0.25R0.25,0.307P0.979)。应用美国环保署(USEPA)方法评估了土壤中DDTs对人体的健康风险,其中致癌风险级别为非常低,对儿童和成人具有非致癌风险的样品比例分别为1.1%和0.7%。因此,长三角地区大多数点位农田土壤DDTs残留量较低,不会对生态环境和人体健康产生危害。     

机体细胞镉摄入离子转运通道研究进展

镉是人体非必需金属离子,长期镉暴露易引发镉中毒。机体内没有负责镉转运的特定载体,镉可通过必需金属离子转运载体进入机体细胞。机体内能够转运镉的载体有多种,主要包括铁的转运载体二价金属离子转运蛋白1(DMT1)、钙离子通道(电压门控钙通道(VGCC)、瞬时感受器电位(TRP)和钙库调控的钙通道(SOC))以及锌铁调控蛋白ZIP家族中的ZIP8和ZIP14等,且不同的机体细胞镉吸收所需转运载体不同。转运载体对镉离子的转运符合米氏方程,不同载体调节镉吸收的米氏常数Km值不同。机体细胞镉的吸收是个复杂的过程,通常存在着多种转运载体的交互作用,机体细胞可根据环境变化而选择镉的转运载体。对镉的生理毒性,以及细胞镉吸收常用的转运载体类型加以阐述,并分析了不同机体细胞镉吸收的可能转运载体,以期为后续探究机体细胞镉吸收具体分子机制提供理论指导。     

镉胁迫对苎麻(Boehmeria nivea)根系及叶片抗氧化系统的影响

镉(Cd)是非必需和毒性最强的重金属元素之一,不合理的开发利用可导致土壤受到Cd的严重污染,严重危及土壤环境或水环境。以苎麻为材料,采用模拟镉(Cd)污染盆栽培养法,选择21 d和49 d等2个不同胁迫期,测定不同浓度Cd2+胁迫下苎麻根系与叶片中渗透调节物质含量、超氧化物岐化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量及根系活力的变化。结果表明,高浓度胁迫49 d后,苎麻根系中的渗透调节物质含量明显高于叶片含量,且极显著高于对照,并在240 mg·L~(-1)Cd处理下出现最高值;胁迫49 d时,根系与叶片的渗透调节物质含量与Cd2+浓度极显著正相关。在2个不同胁迫周期,苎麻根系的SOD与POD活性均明显高于叶片;在胁迫21 d时,根系的CAT活性低于叶片,而胁迫49 d后,则明显高于叶片;胁迫21 d时,苎麻根系与叶片的抗氧化酶活性均较胁迫49 d要高;胁迫49 d时,根系POD活性与Cd2+浓度呈极显著正相关,表明根系POD酶在抗氧化酶中占主导地位。不同胁迫时长下苎麻根系或叶片的MDA含量变化趋势不明显,但根系或叶片受胁迫21 d后的MDA含量随Cd2+浓度增加的波动相对受胁迫49 d后的更明显,表明植物早期生理功能出现暂时性的修复。2个不同胁迫周期内,不同浓度镉胁迫下苎麻的根系活力均比对照组下降。研究显示,苎麻根系与叶片对镉胁迫的应答机制不同,且在不同胁迫时间下的响应机理差异较大,根系表现出更强的耐受能力。