High-resolution mapping of acid sulfate soils in Northern Australia through predictive models

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Acid sulfate soils can form when pyrite-rich marshes are drained or tidal influence decreases, naturally or anthropogenically. Often they are vegetated by...     

世界著名公害事件

比利时马斯河谷事件1930年12月,比利时马斯河谷工业区排放的工业有害废气和粉尘对人体造成综合影响,一周内近60人死亡,市民心脏病、肺病患者的死亡率增高,家畜死亡率也大大增高。     

藻类生物技术在水环境保护中的应用前景探讨

简要综述了藻类生物技术在水污染生态毒理学和污水生物净化方面的研究成果及应用实例,同时对其研究前景进行了探讨。应用藻类生物检测技术对重金属、农药、有机污染物、有毒有害废弃物等的毒性评价结果证明,一些二价重金属阳离子对藻类的毒性顺序大致为Hg~(2+),Cd~(2+),Cu~(2+),Ni~(2+)和 Zn~(2+);酚类、酯类和芳烃类有机污染物对藻类生长的抑制作用十分显著;农药对藻类的毒害作用主要通过破坏藻类生物膜的结构和功能而抑制藻类的光合作用、呼吸作用和固氮作用。有关藻类污水处理的研究资料显示,阳光的强弱,污水在系统内的停留时间,藻类生物量的多寡是确保藻类污水处理效果的关键。     

Estimation of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Effluent from the Striped Catfish Farming Sector in the Mekong Delta,Vietnam

In this study an attempt is made to estimate nitrogen and phosphorus discharged to the environment from the striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) farming sector in the Mekong Delta (8°33′–10°55′N, 104°30′–106°50′E), South Vietnam. The sector accounted for 687,000 t production in 2007 and 1,094,879 t in 2008, with over 95% of the produce destined for export to over 100 countries. Commercial and farm-made feeds are used in catfish farming, currently the former being more predominant. Nitrogen discharge levels were similar for commercial feeds (median 46.0 kg/t fish) and farm-made feeds (median 46.8 kg/t fish); whilst, phosphorus discharge levels for commercial feeds (median 14.4 kg/t fish) were considerably lower than for farm-made feeds (median 18.4 kg/t fish). Based on the median nutrient discharge levels for commercial feeds, striped catfish production in the Mekong Delta discharged 31,602 t N and 9,893 t P, and 50,364 t N and 15,766 t P in 2007 and 2008, respectively. However, the amount of nutrients returned directly to the Mekong River may be substantially less than this as a significant proportion of the water used for catfish farming as well as the sludge is diverted to other agricultural farming systems. Striped catfish farming in the Mekong Delta compared favourably with other cultured species, irrespective of the type of feed used, when the total amounts of N and P discharged in the production of a tonne of production was estimated.     

三丁基锡对中国近海常见海洋微藻的毒性效应

研究三丁基氯化锡(TBT)对中国近海常见5种硅藻和甲藻(硅藻中丹麦细柱藻(Leptocylindrus danicus)、派格棍形藻(Bacilaria paxillifera)、聚生角毛藻(Chaetoceros socialis),甲藻中微型原甲藻(Prorocentrum minimum)、简裸甲藻(Gymnodinium simplex))的毒性效应,考察了有机锡对浮游藻光合活性(Fv/Fm)、粒径、生长的影响。结果表明:派格棍形藻、聚生角毛藻、简裸甲藻的光合活性(Fv/Fm)受TBT影响较显著;微型原甲藻、丹麦细柱藻的光合活性受TBT影响较小。高质量浓度TBT胁迫下海洋微藻峰值粒径显著减小,低质量浓度TBT对峰值粒径影响不显著。低质量浓度TBT对派格棍形藻、聚生角毛藻、简裸甲藻、微型原甲藻均有较强的毒性作用,非检测毒性浓度(NDEC)分别为1.17、1.07、0.23、3.73μg.L-1,丹麦细柱藻对TBT具有很强耐受性,NDEC为112.62μg.L-1。     

Inclusion of sex chromosomes in noninvasive prenatal testing in Asia,Australia, Europe and the USA: A survey study

Objective

To examine the extent to which sex chromosomes are included in current noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and the reporting practices with respect to fetal chromosomal sex and sex chromosome aberrations (SCAs), in addition to an update on the general implementation of NIPT.

Method

A questionnaire addressing the research objectives was distributed by email to fetal medicine and clinical genetics experts in Asia, Australia, Europe and the USA.

Results

Guidelines on NIPT are available in the majority of the included countries. Not all existing guidelines address reporting of fetal chromosomal sex and SCAs. In most settings, NIPT frequently includes sex chromosomes (five Australian states, China, Hong Kong, Israel, Singapore, Thailand, USA and 23 of 31 European countries). This occurs most often by default or when parents wish to know fetal sex. In most settings, a potential SCA is reported by stating the risk hereof as “low” or “high” and/or by naming the SCA. Less than 50% of all pregnant women receive NIPT according to respondents from three Australian states, China, Israel, Singapore, Thailand and 24 of 31 European countries. However, this percentage, the genomic coverage of NIPT and its application as primary or secondary screening vary by setting.

Conclusion

In most of the studied countries/states, NIPT commonly includes sex chromosomes. The reporting practices concerning fetal chromosomal sex and SCAs are diverse and most commonly not addressed by guidelines. In general, NIPT is variably implemented across countries/states.