Derivation of predicted no effect concentrations (PNEC) for 2,4,6-trichlorophenol based on Chinese resident species

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) is a common chemical intermediate and a by-product of water chlorination and combustion processes, and is a priority pollutant of the aquatic environment in many countries. Although information on the toxicity of 2,4,6-TCP is available, there is a lack of information on the predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) of 2,4,6-TCP, mainly due to the shortage of chronic and site-specific toxicity data. In the present study, acute and sub-chronic toxicity of 2,4,6-TCP on six different resident Chinese aquatic species were determined. PNEC values were calculated and compared by use of two approaches: assessment factor (AF) and species sensitivity distribution (SSD). Values for acute toxicity ranged from 1.1 mg L⁻¹ (Plagiognathops microlepis) to 42 mg L⁻¹ (Corbicula fluminea) and the sub-chronic no observed effect concentrations (NOECs) ranged from 0.05 mg L⁻¹ (Mylopharyngodon piceus) to 2.0 mg L⁻¹ (C. fluminea). PNECs obtained by the assessment factor approach with acute (AF = 1000, 0.001 mg L⁻¹) or chronic (AF = 10, 0.005 mg L⁻¹) toxicity data were one order of magnitude less than those from SSD methods (0.057 mg L⁻¹). PNEC values calculated using SSD methods with a 50% certainty for 2,4,6-TCP was less than those obtained by use of the USEPA recommend final chronic value (FCV) method (0.097 mg L⁻¹) and the one obtained by use of the USEPA recommend acute-to-chronic (ACR) methods (0.073 mg L⁻¹). PNECs derived using AF methods were more protective and conservative than that derived using SSD methods.     

Is it possible to remediate a BTEX contaminated chalky aquifer by in situ chemical oxidation?

An industrial coating site in activity located on a chalky plateau, contaminated by BTEX (mainly xylenes, no benzene), is currently remediated by in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO). We present the bench scale study that was conducted to select the most appropriate oxidant. Ozone and catalyzed hydrogen peroxide (Fenton’s reaction) were discarded since they were incompatible with plant activity. Permanganate, activated percarbonate and activated persulfate were tested. Batch experiments were run with groundwater and groundwater-chalk slurries with these three oxidants. Total BTEX degradation in groundwater was reached with all the oxidants. The molar ratios [oxidant]:[Fe²⁺]:[BTEX] were 100:0:1 with permanganate, 100:100:1 with persulfate and 25:100:1 with percarbonate. Precipitation of either manganese dioxide or iron carbonate (siderite) occurred. The best results with chalk slurries were obtained with permanganate at the molar ratio 110:0:1 and activated persulfate at the molar ratio 110:110:1. To avoid precipitation, persulfate was also used without activation at the molar ratio 140:1. Natural Oxidant Demand measured with both oxidants was lower than 5% of initial oxidant contents. Activated percarbonate was not appropriate because of radical scavenging by carbonated media. Permanganate and persulfate were both effective at oxidant concentrations of ca 1 g kg⁻¹ with permanganate and 1.8 g kg⁻¹ with persulfate and adapted to site conditions. Activation of persulfate was not mandatory. This bench scale study proved that ISCO remediation of a chalky aquifer contaminated by mainly xylenes was possible with permanganate and activated or unactivated persulfate.     

Using stable lead isotopes to trace heavy metal contamination sources in sediments of Xiangjiang and Lishui Rivers in China

Lead isotopes and heavy metal concentrations were measured in two sediment cores sampled in estuaries of Xiangjiang and Lishui Rivers in Hunan province, China. The presence of anthropogenic contribution was observed in both sediments, especially in Xiangjiang sediment. In the Xiangjiang sediment, the lower ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb and higher ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ratio, than natural Pb isotope signature (1.198 and 2.075 for ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb, respectively), indicated a significant input of non-indigenous Pb with low ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb and high ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb. The corresponding concentrations of heavy metals (As, Cd, Zn, Mn and Pb) were much higher than natural values, suggesting the contaminations of heavy metals from extensive ore-mining activities in the region.     

Bioremediation of benzene-, MTBE- and ammonia-contaminated groundwater with pilot-scale constructed wetlands

In this pilot-scale constructed wetland (CW) study for treating groundwater contaminated with benzene, MTBE, and ammonia-N, the performance of two types of CWs (a wetland with gravel matrix and a plant root mat) was investigated. Hypothesized stimulative effects of filter material additives (charcoal, iron(III)) on pollutant removal were also tested. Increased contaminant loss was found during summer; the best treatment performance was achieved by the plant root mat. Concentration decrease in the planted gravel filter/plant root mat, respectively, amounted to 81/99% for benzene, 17/82% for MTBE, and 54/41% for ammonia-N at calculated inflow loads of 525/603 mg/m²/d, 97/112 mg/m²/d, and 1167/1342 mg/m²/d for benzene, MTBE, and ammonia-N. Filter additives did not improve contaminant depletion, although sorption processes were observed and elevated iron(II) formation indicated iron reduction. Bacterial and stable isotope analysis provided evidence for microbial benzene degradation in the CW, emphasizing the promising potential of this treatment technique.     

人工湿地中抗生素抗性大肠杆菌和抗性基因的去除与分布

抗生素的滥用导致抗生素抗性菌和抗性基因随生活污水和养殖废水的排放在环境中肆意散播,其去除及环境行为越来越受到关注。采用K-B纸片法测定了9套不同工艺构型模拟人工湿地中大肠杆菌对7种抗生素的抗性率,并应用多重PCR检测磺胺类sul1、2、3与四环素tetA、B、C、D抗性基因,探究人工湿地对抗性菌的去除效率及抗性菌、抗性基因的分布规律。结果显示,人工湿地能有效去除污水中70%左右的抗性大肠杆菌,有效降低了细菌抗性的传播风险;共计分离出535株大肠肝菌中有378株对一种以上抗生素有抗性性,以四环素、磺胺类和氨苄西林抗性率最高,达到25%以上,其他4种抗性率较低,不足20%;2种抗性基因的检出率都在70%以上;对不同采样点大肠杆菌的抗性性及抗性基因的比较发现,各部分大肠杆菌的抗性水平、多重抗性指数(MRI)以及抗性基因(sul、tet)检出率和组合数表现出:基质≥出水>进水,推测抗性菌被湿地基质截留,在基质生物膜上发生抗性基因的重组,并释放抗性菌,提高了出水中抗性水平和抗性基因检出率。     

地下水浅埋区某加油站特征污染物空间分布

加油站渗漏污染地下水已经是一个世界性的问题。由于浅埋区加油站储罐与地下水密切接触,更加剧储罐的腐蚀。为揭示加油站渗漏的典型污染物石油烃（TPH）、苯系物（BTEX）、萘和甲基叔丁基醚（MTBE）在该水文地质条件下的迁移变化,在浅埋区某加油站开展了平、枯、丰水期的地下水监测工作。在水平分布上,TPH、BTEX、萘基本相似,均在加油岛附近形成高浓度区,而MTBE则更易随地下水流动而迁移,呈现出不同的污染晕。在垂直分布上,地下水的水位变动是污染物浓度分布的主要影响因素。     

Source Apportionment and Identification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Sediment Cores of Selected Creeks in Delta State,Nigeria

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) seasonal variation and sources in Ubeji, Ifie, and Egbokodo Creeks of the Niger Delta, Nigeria, were predicted using diagnostic ratios (DRs) of parent PAHs (Phe/Phe + Ant; Flu/Flu + Pyr; BaA/BaA + Chry, and Ind/Ind + BghiP) and principal component analysis (PCA). A total of 222 sediment core samples were collected during the wet (August 2010) and the dry seasons (January 2011). The samples were dried and Soxhlet extracted; sample extracts were fractionated and analyzed by gas chromatography/flame ionization detection (GC/FID) to identify individual PAHs. The diagnostic PAH ratios revealed that PAHs in the sediment cores at the three creeks, in both seasons, mainly stemmed from the combustion process (pyrogenic sources). Principal component analysis further confirmed that wood-burning, coal combustion, diesel, gasoline-powered vehicular emissions, and petroleum combustion were the dominant contributors of PAHs sources at the sampling location. This study provided information on the origin and sources of PAHs in sediment cores, which may be useful for regulatory actions, environmental quality management, contamination history, and environmental forensic studies.     

南极大气气溶胶中铅同位素比值的研究

通过对电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)的工作条件和参数进行优化,建立了ICP-MS测定铅同位素比值的精确方法,测量了2007—2009年南极中山站采集到的气溶胶样品中208Pb/206Pb、207Pb/206Pb和206Pb/207Pb的比值。结果表明,南极大气气溶胶中铅同位素比值在逐年缓慢地发生线性变化,线性相关系数为0.996 2;气溶胶铅同位素示踪揭示南极附近国家(除南非)释放的铅可能成为南极大气中铅的重要来源。     

便携式顶空/气相色谱/质谱联用法快速测定水中苯系物

建立了以便携式顶空/气相色谱/质谱联用技术快速测定水中苯系物的方法,该方法适用于水中苯系物的应急监测。     

Birth sex ratios in toque macaques and other mammals: integrating the effects of maternal condition and competition

Mammalian life histories suggest that maternal body condition and social dominance (a measure of resource-holding potential) influence the physical and social development of offspring, and thereby their reproductive success. Predictably, a mother should produce that sex of offspring which contributes most to her fitness (as measured by the number of her grandchildren) and that she is best able to raise within the constraints imposed by her condition, social rank, and environment. Such combined effects were investigated by monitoring variations in body condition (weight) and behavior of female toque macaques, Macaca sinica of Sri Lanka, in a changing forest environment over 18 years. Maternal rank, by itself, had no influence on offspring sex, but did affect maternal body condition. The combined effects of rank and condition indicated the following: mothers in robust condition bore more sons, whereas those in moderate condition bore more daughters, but both effects were expressed most strongly among mothers of high rank. Where the consequences of low rank were felt most acutely, as shown by poor condition, mothers underproduced daughters. Environmental quality directly influenced rank and condition interactions, and thus sex ratios. These relationships, and data from other mammals suggest an empirically and theoretically consistent pattern of sex allocation in mammals. New predictions integrate effects, proposed by Trivers and Willard, that are rooted in male mate competition, which is universal among polygynous mammals, with those of local resource competition (and/or female reproductive competition), which are not universal and differ in intensity between the socioecologies and local environments of different species. Received: 30 May 1998 / Accepted after revision: 29 August 1998