Biomagnification of anthropogenic and naturally-produced organobrominated compounds in a marine food web from Sydney Harbour, Australia

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and naturally-produced organobrominated compounds, such as methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs), have been scarcely studied in the Southern Hemisphere. Yet, sources of the latter group of compounds were found in Southern regions, specifically in Australia. The environmental distribution and biomagnification potential of organobrominated compounds were therefore investigated in a representative aquatic food chain (invertebrates and fish) from the Sydney Harbour, Australia. Mean PBDE concentrations ranged from 6.4 ng/g lipid weight (lw) in squid to 115 ng/g lw in flounder. BDE 47 was the dominant congener, followed by BDE 100. Mean levels of MeO-PBDEs (sum of congeners 2’-MeO-BDE 68 and 6-MeO-BDE 47) were as high as 110 ng/g lw in tailor, with a slight dominance of 2’-MeO-BDE 68. Polybrominated hexahydroxanthene derivates (PBHDs), another class of naturally-produced compounds, were found at variable concentrations and ranged from 4.7 ng/g lw in fanbelly and 146 ng/g lw in tailor. The tribrominated PBHD isomer dominated in the samples, except for luderick and squid. The lower levels of PBDEs found in luderick from the harbour compared to those obtained from the upper Parramatta River indicated a terrestrial (anthropogenic) origin of PBDEs, while the higher levels of MeO-PBDEs and PBHDs in the samples from the harbour confirmed the marine (natural) origin of these compounds. The highest trophic magnification factor (TMF) was found for sum PBDEs (3.9), while TMFs for sum MeO-PBDEs and sum PBHDs were 2.9 and 3.4, respectively. This suggests that biomagnification occurs in the studied aquatic food chain for anthropogenic brominated compounds, but also for the naturally-produced organobromines.     

Which compounds contribute most to elevated airborne exposure and corresponding health risks in the Western Balkans?

A majority of ongoing monitoring of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is currently focused on chemicals emphasized in the Stockholm Convention. Quantitative detection of other substances (especially those with numerous anthropogenic sources such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)) is, however, also needed since their concentrations are usually several orders of magnitude higher. A goal of this study was to determine how various groups of compounds contribute to total human health risks at the variety of sampling sites in the region of Western Balkan. Distribution of the risks between the gas and particulate phases was also addressed. Results showed that inhalation exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) does not represent a significant risk to humans, while polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) re-volatilized to the atmosphere from contaminated soils and buildings can pose a problem. PCB evaporation from primary sources (currently used PCB-filled transformers or non-adequate storage facilities) generally resulted in much higher atmospheric concentrations than evaporation from the secondary sources (soils at the sites of war destructions). A majority of the human health risks at the urban sites were associated with PAHs. Between 83 and 94% of the cumulative risk at such sites was assigned to chemicals sorbed to particles, and out of it, PAHs were responsible for 99%.     

Organochlorine and heavy metals in newborns: Results from the Flemish Environment and Health Survey (FLEHS 2002–2006)

To collect regional information on internal levels of pollutants in humans in Flanders, 1196 mother–child pairs were systematically recruited in 2002–2003 via 25 maternities across Flanders. Cd, Pb, PCB congeners 118, 170, 138, 153 and 180, p,p′-DDE — a key metabolite of DDT- and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were measured in cord blood or plasma. Cd was detected in 64% of the samples (geometric mean 0.21 µg/L cord blood). p,p′-DDE (110 ng/g plasma lipids) and Pb (14.7 µg/L blood), were measurable in nearly all samples. The individual PCB congeners could be detected in 40 to 81% of the newborns (138 + 153 + 180 = 64.4 ng/g plasma lipids). HCB (18.9 ng/g plasma lipids) and dioxin-like compounds measured by DR-CALUX® (23 pg CALUX-TEQ/g lipids) were above detection limit in more than 75% of the samples. Age and smoking habits of the mothers, did not influence the cord blood Pb and Cd levels. The organochlorines increased 4 to 9% per year of the mother's age (partial R² = 0.05 to 0.22). Mothers had 2.6% less PCBs in cord blood (partial R² = 0.02) for each unit increase in pre-pregnancy BMI. Season of delivery, breastfeeding previous children or consumption of local dairy products, were minor determinants. Up to 20% of the variability in organochlorine concentrations was explained by residence area. It was concluded that the place of birth in Flanders is an important determinant of the load of pollutants measured at the start of life. This underlines the validity of human biomonitoring on (relatively) small geographical scale.     

Binding of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by humic acids formed during composting

Binding of two model polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phenanthrene and pyrene, by humic acids (HAs) isolated from an organic substrate at different stages of composting and a soil was investigated using a batch fluorescence quenching method and the modified Freundlich model. With respect to soil HA, the organic substrate HA fractions were characterized by larger binding affinities for both phenanthrene and pyrene. Further, isotherm deviation from linearity was larger for soil HA than for organic substrate HAs, indicating a larger heterogeneity of binding sites in the former. The composting process decreased the binding affinity and increased the heterogeneity of binding sites of HAs. The changes undergone by the HA fraction during composting may be expected to contribute to facilitate microbial accessibility to PAHs. The results obtained also suggest that bioremediation of PAH-contaminated soils with matured compost, rather than with fresh organic amendments, may result in faster and more effective cleanup.     

The fate of recombinant plasmids during composting of organic wastes

Composting was investigated as a means for safe disposal of organic waste containing bacteria that carry transgenes in recombinant plasmids. To generate model recombinant plasmids, a mobile IncQ plasmid, RSF1010, and a non-mobile plasmid, pGFP, were genetically modified to carry a DNA segment encoding both green fluorescent protein and kanamycin resistance and were designated as RSF1010-GFPK and pGFPK. Escherichia coli (E. coli) C600 harboring these plasmids were inoculated into chicken manure specimens that were placed in compost at 20 and 60 cm from the bottom of a 1.0-m high compost bin. Control specimens were held at ambient temperature. By day 10, compost temperatures at the lower and upper levels of the bin had reached 45.3 and 61.5°C, respectively, and at both levels the target E. coli had been inactivated and the plasmids had lost their capacity to be transformed or mobilized. Furthermore, based on real time Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the transgene fragments along with the host chromosomal DNA fragment from specimens at the upper level had been degraded beyond the detection limit. However, at the lower level where temperatures remained below 48°C these fragment persisted to day 21. At ambient temperatures (0–8°C), the E. coli, plasmids and the transgene fragments persisted in manure specimens throughout the 21 day test period. The study showed the potential for composting as a safe procedure for disposal of bacteria carrying transgenes in recombinant plasmids.     

改良型AO法组合工艺中有机物的三维荧光分析

采用三维荧光(EEM)光谱技术,对上海竹园第二污水处理厂改良型AO法组合工艺运行过程中的各种溶解性有机物(DOM)进行分析,并对比研究传统好氧活性污泥法曝气池出水和A/O脱氮工艺硝化池出水DOM的EEM光谱的迁移变化特性.结果表明,各种DOM中主要的荧光物质有类蛋白质(荧光峰A和B)及类腐殖质(荧光峰C),经改良型AO法组合工艺处理后,荧光峰的强度降低了14％～60％,同时类蛋白质和腐殖质的结构也发生了变化;腐殖酸溯源表明DOM中的腐殖酸以微生物代谢产生的带有荧光基团的腐殖酸类为主.     

光催化氧化降解垃圾渗滤液中溶解性有机物

研究了UV-TiO2光催化氧化降解垃圾渗滤液过程中溶解性有机物(DOM)的变化特征。结果表明:在适宜条件下,UV-TiO2光催化氧化降解垃圾渗滤液的色度、COD和DOC的去除率分别可达97%、72%和60%;紫外光谱分析说明渗滤液DOM中包括多种含有共轭双键、羰基的大分子有机物及多环芳香类化合物,不同光催化处理液中DOM具有基本一致的结构单元和官能团;红外光谱分析说明渗滤液DOM中含有大量包括羟基、羧基、氨基和苯环的芳香族化合物,在光催化处理液中这几种官能团都能被有效降解;GC/MS分析结果表明,渗滤液DOM中含有72种有机污染物,醇类、羧酸和酮类分别为25、14和12种;在光催化72 h处理液中,有机物减少为44种;酯类和醇类较多,分别为12种和16种;酮类8种,羧酸没有检出。     

高速公路路面沉积物的污染特性

对湖南省长潭西高速公路不同采样点的路面沉积物进行取样分析,并检测了样品的颗粒级配、COD、重金属(Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd)和有机质。结果表明,路面沉积物主要以粒径<0.15 mm的颗粒为主;较小颗粒物中的COD含量高于较大颗粒中的COD含量;粒径在0.15 mm以下的颗粒物所含重金属Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd的浓度普遍高于所选的土壤标准值,降雨一旦形成径流将会产生严重的污染危害;沉积物中的有机质含量对重金属的吸附有一定的影响,有机质含量越高,沉积物中重金属含量相对也高。     

小型好氧堆肥设备处理有机垃圾

针对我国生活垃圾的特点,提出了厨余等有机生活垃圾单独收集,在产生源头进行好氧堆肥处理。研制了好氧堆肥设备,由加热装置、通风装置、冷凝水收集和回灌装置,以及与该生物堆肥设备配套的生物过滤除臭装置、自控系统和数据采集软件几部分构成。自控系统由氧气、温度、湿度三路传感器以及2个控制器构成,并与加热装置、通风装置连接,能满足物料加热、供氧和散热的要求。本研究通过为期30 d的试运行实验表明,物料快速升温并稳定保持在高温阶段(50～60℃),物料中的氧气浓度保持在14%～16%范围内。在堆肥实验结束时,物料的含水率降至36.4%,有机质含量降至49%,另外,通过好氧速率指标也可判定物料达到腐熟。     

PAFC对水体中持久性有机污染物PFOA的混凝效果

针对含全氟辛酸(PFOA)的工业废水及应对PFOA的污染突发事件,采用PAFC及其复配粘土矿物凹凸棒和沸石进行混凝实验,并对几个影响因素进行了考察。结果表明,在PAFC的最佳投加量10 mg/L时,PFOA和浊度的去除率分别达到70.25%和99.42%,PAFC混凝处理PFOA的效果优于PAC;pH值对PAFC去除PFOA有一定的影响,当pH大于6时有利于PFOA的去除;PFOA和浊度的去除率随原始浊度的增加而增加;活性炭、盐酸改性凹凸棒、盐酸改性沸石、CT-MAB改性的沸石复配PAFC均可提高PFOA的去除率;改性处理后的沸石应用于PFOA的处理中,有望降低处理成本。