Evaluation of the fish short term reproduction assay for detecting endocrine disrupters

In a fish testing strategy, positive results of the fish short term reproduction assay (FSTR), often trigger a definitive test like the fish sexual development test (FSDT) or the fish full life cycle test (FFLC), entailing ethical and economic problems. This study analysed 137 studies encompassing 35 chemicals with different modes of actions (MOAs). Variability is quantified for MOA endpoints vitellogenin (VTG) and secondary sex characteristics (SSCs) as well as for apical endpoints. Two MOA endpoints could indicate estrogenic, anti-estrogenic, androgenic, anti-androgenic and steroidogenesis activities. Great variability, however, has been observed for chemicals with anti-androgenic and steroidogenesis activities, suggesting that TG229/230 may not be sensitive enough to detect these types of chemicals and may produce false negatives. Changes in apical endpoints like fecundity are not limited to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Non-EDCs could induce the similar effects on these apical endpoints. If elucidating MOA is needed, targeted in vitro MOA tests are suggested. Positive in vitro MOA results trigger a definitive test, which could be used for confirmation of the MOA in vivo and for deriving a no observed effect concentration (NOEC). Based on positive MOA results of TG229, a definitive test such as the FSDT or the FFLC is still needed, because the current TG229 has limitation on the derivation of a NOEC. An extended TG229 with more power to detect reproduction effects, as recently proposed in the OECD test guideline program, would improve the possibility to derive a NOEC and increase its usefulness in risk assessment.     

Temporal trends of polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) in liver tissue of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) from the Baltic Sea, 1974-2008

Temporal trends of polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) were examined in grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) liver from the Baltic Sea over a period of 35 years (1974-2008). In total, 17 of 43 PFCs were found, including the perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (C₄-C₁₀ PFSAs), perfluorooctanesulfinate (PFOSi), long chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (C₇-C₁₄ PFCAs), and perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides (i.e., perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) and N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamide (EtFOSA)), whereas saturated and unsaturated fluorotelomer carboxylates, shorter chain PFCAs and perfluoroalkyl phosphonic acids were not detected. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the predominant compound (9.57-1444 ng g⁻¹ wet weight (ww)), followed by perfluorononanoate (PFNA, 0.47-109 ng g⁻¹ ww). C₆-C₈ PFSAs, PFOSi and C₇-C₁₃ PFCAs showed statistically significant increasing concentrations between 1974 and 1997, with a peak in 1997 and then decreased or levelled off (except for C₁₂ and C₁₃ PFCAs). FOSA had a different temporal trend with a maximum in 1989 followed by significant decreasing concentrations until 2008. Toxicological implications for grey seals are limited, but the maximal PFOS concentration found in this study was about 40 times lower than the predicted lowest observed effect concentrations (LOEC). The statistically significant decreasing concentrations or levelling off for several PFCs in the relative closed marine ecosystem of the Baltic Sea indicate a rapidly responding to reduced emissions to the marine environment. However, the high concentrations of PFOS and continuing increasing concentrations of the longer chain PFCAs (C₁₂-C₁₄) shows that further work on the reduction of environmental emissions of PFCs are necessary.     

Seasonal and spatial variability of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in vegetation and cow milk from a high altitude pasture in the Italian Alps

The seasonal and spatial variability of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in vegetation and cow milk was studied in a high altitude pasture in the Alps (1900 m a.s.l.). PCB contamination in vegetation shows a concentration peak in June, which is mainly interpreted as the consequence of a temporary PCB enrichment of the air layer above the ground due to net emission fluxes from the soil. A three compartment dynamic model was developed to test this hypothesis. The North/South enrichment factor in the vegetation was 1.5-1.6 for penta- and hexa-substituted congeners and 1.7 for hepta- and octa-PCBs, according to the effect of temperature on compounds having higher K_oa values. Milk concentrations followed the vegetation seasonal trend. The congener abundance in milk is in agreement with the biotransformation susceptibility, absorption efficiency and residence time of the different congeners in dairy cows.     

基于季节性Kendall检验和重标极差分析法的阳澄湖水质变化趋势分析

为掌握《苏州市阳澄湖生态优化行动实施方案》实施以来阳澄湖的水质变化趋势,结合季节性Kendall检验与重标极差分析(R/S)法,对2013—2018年阳澄湖及其6条主要入湖河道的主要水质指标——高锰酸盐指数(IMn)、氨氮(AN)、总磷(TP)、总氮(TN)过去和未来的水质变化趋势进行分析及预测。研究结果表明:(1)阳澄湖除TP无显著升降趋势外,其余指标均有不同程度的下降趋势;(2)主要入湖河道的TN均无显著升降趋势,其余指标的改善效果较明显;(3)未来阳澄湖及主要入湖河道水质总体将会持续改善,但有个别监测点位的TP浓度未来仍有可能会上升。可见,近年来阳澄湖生态优化行动卓有成效,但TP已成为影响水质达标的最大制约因素,还需进一步提出针对性治理措施。     

影响环境质量的关键因子的识别方法

影响环境质量的因素很多 ,它们所起作用各异 ,为尽可能客观地找出其中的关键因子 ,有针对性地进行环境治理或准确地评价环境治理效果 ,设计了一套直接寻找关键因子的方法 ,称作增量趋势法。该法是利用环境监测数据Ci 与标准值Cis,计算出各因子的相对超标量 yi1=[Ci(t) -Cis]/Cis 及相对变化量yi2 =[Ci(t) -Ci(t- 1) ]/Ci(t- 1) ;根据相对超标量yi1和相对变化量 yi2的符号 (>0或≤ 0 )的不同组合方式 ,将各因子分成 4种状态 ,再在各状态中 ,依 yi1和 yi2 的数值大小进行子排序 ;最后 ,由各因子所处的状态与位次进行总排序 ,找出关键因子。为说明该方法如何运用 ,以南京市内秦淮河水质为例 ,分析了各水污染因子所处的状态 ,并进行了排序 ,同时还与传统方法做了简单的对比。结果表明增量趋势法具有如下特点 :(1)物理意义明确 ,分析方法简明 ,适宜于用计算机和环境信息数据库进行自动分析 ;(2 )由于增量趋势法是利用原始监测数据 ,通过简单运算来寻找关键因子的 ,因此 ,能客观地判别各污染因子所起的作用 ,揭示污染治理的效果 ,找出污染加剧的原因 ,增加评价的准确性 ,减少治理时的盲目性 ;(3)趋势增量法同时还考虑了污染因子的动态演变过程 ,可分析随时间推移各因子趋于好转或恶化的变化趋势 ,与许多静态方     

气候变化下SPEI指数在嘉陵江流域的干旱评估应用

基于嘉陵江流域1962~2010年实测月降水和月平均气温数据,利用不同时间尺度(3、6、9、12个月)的SPI和SPEI指数分析了近50a来流域干旱趋势的时空演变规律。对不同时间尺度的SPI及SPEI指数分析表明,1962~2010年嘉陵江流域整体呈干旱增加趋势,特别是流域西部和北部呈现出明显的干旱增加趋势,而流域东部的干旱增加趋势并不明显,个别站点附近还呈现出微弱的干旱减少趋势。SPI及SPEI指数的变化还表明,嘉陵江流域在大时间尺度上的干旱增加趋势更为明显,大时间尺度的干旱事件主要由降雨量决定,而气温变化对干旱趋势的影响则在小时间尺度上更为显著。此外,对于相同的时间尺度,SPEI指数相较于SPI指数检验出更为明显的干旱增加趋势,表明考虑气温影响的SPEI干旱指数更能够检测干旱事件的变化规律,因此SPEI干旱指数更适用于气候变化条件下流域干旱演变特征分析。     

东南沿海经济发达地区发展趋势与问题

东南沿海经济发达地区是我国改革开放和现代化建设的先行地区。在持续十几、二十几年的经济快速发展过程中,该地区产业结构进一步优化,经济实力迅速提高,已经基本形成城乡一体化、城市连绵化的格局,为我国综合实力的增强做出了巨大贡献。随着经济全球化、一体化的发展,该地区将继续担负我国国际竞争力提升和国内经济发展示范的重要作用。然而,产业自主创新能力不强、能源缺口较大、耕地流失严重、粮食安全问题、产业发展空间受限、生态环境恶化等已成为该地区可持续发展的瓶颈。在分析该地区发展状况与问题的基础上,从协调经济、环境与社会的角度出发,以科学发展观为指导,对东南沿海地区经济可持续发展提出了建议。     

制革废水处理技术研究进展

近年来随着制革工业的发展,制革废水的排放造成了严重的水体污染,同时废水中含有的有毒有害物质对人体健康也产生了极大的威胁,因此,寻求一种高效、经济可行的制革废水处理技术有着重要的意义。由于制革废水成分非常复杂且含有许多有毒物质及高浓度的盐类,使得制革废水的治理异常困难。目前在制革废水治理的研究中取得了许多新的重要进展,通过对各种治理方法的分析提出了制革废水处理的发展方向。     

国内外环境安全研究进展述评

环境安全是环境问题日益加剧和恶化而对人类社会构成的安全层次上的威胁。本文研究的目标是从整体上描绘当前环境安全研究的大致轮廓和发展前景。本文将当前国内外环境安全研究划分为三种视角并分别进行了述评：①“传统安全视角”：从传统安全的视角研究环境问题对传统安全的影响;②“狭义环境安全视角”：从安全的视角研究日益恶化的狭义环境问题：③“广义环境安全视角”：从安全的视角研究生态、资源、灾害等领域的广义环境问题。通过比较和评论,认为“狭义环境安全视角”研究针对人类社会面临的“继续生存还是自我毁灭”的“新生存安全问题”,揭示了环境安全研究的核心科学问题,具有重要的研究意义和前景。就目前研究而言。在探讨环境安全基本理论和科学问题的同时。应注重加强在国家环境安全、生态环境安全、突发环境安全事件等领域的技术方法、案例的应用型研究。     

Basic Framework and Conception of Promoting the Sustainability of Population,Resources, Environment and Socio-Economic Development in China

Abstract

Population, resources, environment and socio-economic development are four major issues of increasing world attention today and are also four major factors constraining China's development tomorrow. Through an analysis of the international situation and an assessment of China's actual conditions, this article proposes a basic framework and conception of promoting the sustainability of China's population, resources, environment and socio-economic development.