Dietary uptake of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), occurrence and profiles, in aquacultured turbots (Psetta maxima) from Galicia, Spain

Polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are one of the many toxic chemicals present in the environment and in the food we eat every day, being fish one of the main sources of persistent organic pollutants in our diet; like other lipid-related contaminants, they are of concern since they can bioaccumulate and biomagnify through the trophic chain. We published a study focused on the dietary uptake of dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (dl-PCBs) in a set of samples of Spanish farmed turbot (Blanco et al., 2007). In the present paper, we extend the study to PBDEs to provide more information about the uptake and transfer from feed to fish of halogenated contaminants. PBDEs in the feeds (2.35-4.76 ng g(-1)) were reflected in turbot fillets (0.54-2.05 ng g(-1)): predominant congeners were tetra-BDE 47, penta-BDEs 99 and 100. It is remarkable that tetra-BDE 49, accounting for only 2% in the feed, contributed to 15% of total PBDEs in turbot fillets. Dietary net accumulation values, 30-45%, showed that tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexa-BDEs were as efficiently transferred into turbot as dl-PCBs and tetra- and penta-chlorinated PCDD/Fs. Lipid-normalized biomagnification factors relating concentration in fish and in feed, BMFs>1 were obtained, except for BDE 209. BDE 49 accumulation, 90%, was possibly contributed by metabolism of higher brominated BDEs. Implication in aquaculture management is a need for uncontaminated fish feed to offer safe products.     

Tree and Shrub Expansion Over the Past 34 Years at the Tree-Line Near Abisko,Sweden

Shrubs and trees are expected to expand in the sub-Arctic due to global warming. Our study was conducted in Abisko, sub-arctic Sweden. We recorded the change in coverage of shrub and tree species over a 32– to 34-year period, in three 50 × 50 m plots; in the alpine-tree-line ecotone. The cover of shrubs and trees (<3.5 cm diameter at breast height) were estimated during 2009–2010 and compared with historical documentation from 1976 to 1977. Similarly, all tree stems (≥3.5 cm) were noted and positions determined. There has been a substantial increase of cover of shrubs and trees, particularly dwarf birch (Betula nana), and mountain birch (Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii), and an establishment of aspen (Populus tremula). The other species willows (Salix spp.), juniper (Juniperus communis), and rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) revealed inconsistent changes among the plots. Although this study was unable to identify the causes for the change in shrubs and small trees, they are consistent with anticipated changes due to climate change and reduced herbivory.     

Changes in Tree Growth,Biomass and Vegetation Over a 13-Year Period in the Swedish Sub-Arctic

This study was conducted in the Swedish sub-Arctic, near Abisko, in order to assess the direction and scale of possible vegetation changes in the alpine–birch forest ecotone. We have re-surveyed shrub, tree and vegetation data at 549 plots grouped into 61 clusters. The plots were originally surveyed in 1997 and re-surveyed in 2010. Our study is unique for the area as we have quantitatively estimated a 19% increase in tree biomass mainly within the existing birch forest. We also found significant increases in the cover of two vegetation types—“birch forest-heath with mosses” and “meadow with low herbs”, while the cover of snowbed vegetation decreased significantly. The vegetation changes might be caused by climate, herbivory and past human impact but irrespective of the causes, the observed transition of the vegetation will have substantial effects on the mountain ecosystems.     

Development of a combined isotopic and mass-balance approach to determine dissolved organic carbon sources in eutrophic reservoirs

A combined mass-balance and stable isotope approach was set up to identify and quantify dissolved organic carbon (DOC) sources in a DOC-rich (9 mg L⁻¹) eutrophic reservoir located in Western France and used for drinking water supply (so-called Rophemel reservoir). The mass-balance approach consisted in measuring the flux of allochthonous DOC on a daily basis, and in comparing it with the effective (measured) DOC concentration of the reservoir. The isotopic approach consisted, for its part, in measuring the carbon isotope ratios (δ¹³C values) of both allochthonous and autochthonous DOC sources, and comparing these values with the δ¹³C values of the reservoir DOC. Results from both approaches were consistent pointing out for a DOC of 100% allochthonous origin. In particular, the δ¹³C values of the DOC recovered in the reservoir (−28.5 ± 0.2‰; n = 22) during the algal bloom season (May-September) showed no trace of an autochthonous contribution (δ¹³C in algae = −30.1 ± 0.3‰; n = 2) being indistinguishable from the δ¹³C values of allochthonous DOC from inflowing rivers (−28.6 ± 0.1‰; n = 8). These results demonstrate that eutrophication is not responsible for the high DOC concentrations observed in the Rophemel reservoir and that limiting eutrophication of this reservoir will not reduce the potential formation of disinfection by-products during water treatment. The methodology developed in this study based on a complementary isotopic and mass-balance approach provides a powerful tool, suitable to identify and quantify DOC sources in eutrophic, DOC-contaminated reservoirs.     

Influence of soluble microbial products (SMP) on wastewater disinfection byproducts: trihalomethanes and haloacetic acid species from the chlorination of SMP

Introduction  

Effluent organic matter from biological wastewater treatment plants is composed of degradation products and soluble microbial products (SMP). Protein, polysaccharide, humic acid, and DNA were major biomolecules of SMP. Little is known about the effects of SMP as microbially derived precursors on disinfection byproduct formation and speciation in biologically treated wastewater. In addition, there has never been any attempt to directly chlorinate the major biomolecules of SMP.     

The endocrine disrupting potential of sediments from the Upper Danube River (Germany) as revealed by in vitro bioassays and chemical analysis

Introduction  

The present study was part of a comprehensive weight-of-evidence approach with the goal of identifying potential causes for the declines in fish populations, which have been observed during the past decades in the Upper Danube River.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorinated pesticides in birds from a contaminated region in South China: association with trophic level,tissue distribution and risk assessment

Purpose  

Birds have been used successfully for biomonitoring of the levels and effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the environments; however, there is exceedingly little data on organochlorinated pesticide (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) residues in bird inhabiting in China. In the present study, we detected the concentrations of PCBs, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs) and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) in muscle, liver and kidney of birds that inhabit in an e-waste recycling site. Associated with the stable isotope ratio (δ ¹⁵N), we investigated the effect of trophic level on the body burdens of persistent contaminants in birds. The tissue distributions of contaminants in these birds were examined, and a preliminary risk assessment was also conducted.     

Bacterial community composition characterization of a lead-contaminated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microcoleus</Emphasis> sp. consortium

Introduction  

A Microcoleus sp. consortium, obtained from the Ebro delta microbial mat, was maintained under different conditions including uncontaminated, lead-contaminated, and acidic conditions.     

Phytoremediation of a sulphonated azo dye Green HE4B by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glandularia pulchella</Emphasis> (Sweet) Tronc. (Moss Verbena)

Purpose  

The dyes and dye stuffs present in effluents released from textile dyeing industries are potentially mutagenic and carcinogenic. Phytoremediation technology can be used for remediating sites contaminated with such textile dyeing effluents. The purpose of the work was to explore the potential of Glandularia pulchella (Sweet) Tronc. to decolorize different textile dyes, textile dyeing effluent, and synthetic mixture of dyes.     

Chitosan membranes as sorbents for trace elements determination in surface waters

Purpose  

Chitosan membranes (non-crosslinked, crosslinked, and modified with l-cysteine) were evaluated as sorbents prior to electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) determination of total dissolved metal content in surface water samples.