A study on the accumulation of nine heavy metals in some important fish species from a natural reservoir in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

Concentrations of nine heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, As, and Fe) in the muscles of four fish species (O. niloticus, C. gariepinus, P. latipinna, and A. d. dispar) collected from the Riyadh River were detected using atomic absorption spectrophotometry in two different seasons in 2012. The concentrations of the studied heavy metals except Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cu in Aphanius d. dispar and Poecilia latipinna were found to be below the safe limits suggested by various authorities. This study also showed that Zn was predominant, while Cr was least accumulated metal in the studied fish muscles. Data demonstrated that there was a significant variation in the heavy-metal concentrations in different fish species in the Riyadh River. Significant positive correlations between heavy-metal concentrations in fish muscles were also found both in pre- and post-monsoon seasons. Metal pollution index was calculated to distinguish polluted from unpolluted ecosystems based upon current knowledge of metal bioavailability, bioconcentration, and bioaccumulation patterns. From the human health point of view, this study showed that there was a possible health risk to consumers due to the intake of Aphanius d. dispar and Poecilia latipinna under the current consumption rate in the country.     

Determination of tolerable and toxic salt concentrations in drinking water in rat,pig, and rabbit

In some geographical areas human and animal populations are compelled to use salty water. In this study, tolerable and toxic salt concentrations were evaluated in rat, pig, and rabbit. Ninety Wistar rats weighing approximately 250 g were allocated to nine groups for study. For treatment, distilled water, 0.5, 1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 or 2% salt (NaCl) concentrations were consumed by test groups, while the control group consumed Zanjan potable water. All animals were observed twice daily for mortality or evidence of morbidity. Serum sodium levels and plasma osmolarity were measured at the onset of experiment and 120 h later. Similar experimental conditions were employed in pig and rabbit. Rat tolerated 0.5, 1, and 1.2% NaCl concentrations in drinking water but higher concentrations were toxic and life threatening, accompanied by significantly increased serum sodium levels and plasma osmolarity. This study showed that pig was the most sensitive and rabbit the most resistant species to different NaCl concentrations. Although NaCl concentrations lower than 1.4% was considered as tolerable in rat, the animal health was affected. NaCl concentrations of 1.4% and higher may jeopardize animal health and were considered as toxic amounts.     

Concentrations of cadmium,manganese, copper,zinc, and lead in the tissues of the oyster (Crassostrea iredalei) obtained from Setiu Lagoon,Terengganu, Malaysia

Heavy metals pollution in aquatic environments is a major problem contributing to human health issues. The study of these pollutants through bioindicators such as the oyster Crassostrea iredalei is important for (1) determining the levels and sources and (2) regulating the quantity of pollutants. The concentrations of cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) in tissues of C. iredalei, sediment and surrounding water was measured, and data was analyzed to determine the relationship between sampling periods and between oyster tissue, sediment, and water. The highest concentration of metals in oyster tissue was Zn, followed by Cu, Mn, Cd, and Pb. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Zn exceeded the maximum level allowed according to the Malaysian Food Act of 1983, which is equivalent to the WHO recommended levels of heavy metals in organisms used for consumption. The highest metal concentration in sediment was Mn followed by Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd. Concentrations of heavy metals in surrounding water were Zn, Pb, Cu, Mn, and Cd. There was no correlation between metal concentration in oyster tissue and in sediment for all five metals.     

Sustainability of Nations

SUMMARY

A method is presented to interrelate the development of economy, environment and social quality in communities. Economy and environment, in initial development stages, oppose each other. Social welfare and economy generally develop simultaneously. To assess overall progress in sustainable development, an integrated and quantifiable framework is presented which defines five levels of sustainability. Increasing sustainability is characterized by growing responsibility for the impacts of man's actions in space and time. Through increased eco-efficiency and changed awareness, nations and companies arrive at a synergistic relationship between environment and economy. It is indicated that social security benefits expenditure increases by a factor 3.5 and carbon dioxide emissions per capita decreases by a factor 3 at each higher level of sustainability. Quantified differences in sustainability levels of 24 nations are shown. Priorities for improving and safeguarding sustainability are indicated.     

河西走廊极端干旱区PM10质量浓度分布特征及其与气象要素关系研究

利用敦煌和酒泉2007—2011年的PM10质量浓度资料和风速、气温、相对湿度、气压、天气现象等相关气象要素资料,分析了河西走廊西部极端干旱区不同下垫面环境PM。0质量浓度的时空分布特征,结果表明,下垫面是沙地环境的敦煌PMl0质量浓度年平均值为128．9lμg·m-1,明显高于绿洲环境酒泉的76．1mg·m-1两站均是春季大于其他季节,尤以4月最为显著,敦煌和酒泉分别达到272．1lμg·m0和151lμg·m-2;PMl0质量浓度的不同分布特征与气象因素有密切的关系,尤其受沙尘天气的影响较大,其最大值可以反映沙尘天气的强度,非沙尘日PMl0质量浓度在不同下垫面条件下虽有一定相差,但空气质量状况均在“良”以上。两站PM10质量浓度日变化差异较大,敦煌四季的日变化特征均不特别显著,变化比较平稳,基本都呈单峰单谷型分布,最大值出现在17：00时左右,最小值出现在6：00左右;酒泉春、秋季日变化基本一致,呈单峰型,最大值出现在正午时段;夏季日变化规律性不明显,变化幅度比较平缓;冬季呈双峰双谷型,最大值和次大值分别出现在16：00和2：00左右,最小值和次小值分别出现在10：00和0：00左右。进一步分析发现,在沙尘日和非沙尘日PM10质量浓度明显不同,其对应的压、温、湿、风及能见度也有一定规律,沙尘日的日均风速和日最大风速大于非沙尘日,相对湿度、气压和能见度小于非沙尘日。两站的气温、气压、相对湿度、风速等气象要素与PM10质量浓度均有一定相关性,但PM10质量浓度的分布最终是受各要素综合影响的结果,敦煌和酒泉,PM值与PM10质量浓度日均值的相关性都很显著,相关系数分别为0．8961和0．9152,远高于其他各单气象要素与PM10质量浓度的相关性。两站沙尘日的昂M均值分别是非沙尘日2-3倍,因此气象影响指数能有效的区别沙尘日和非沙尘日。IPM的分布也能较好的反映PMl0质量浓度的分布,因此可用抽d来量化评价PM10质量浓度。     

3种助剂对赤子爱胜蚓的急性毒性

为了探究新型助剂LD-10与常用助剂NP-10、NP-4对土壤非靶标生物的影响,以赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia fetida)为受试生物,采用自然土壤法和灭菌土壤法,研究了这3种助剂对土壤蚯蚓的急性毒性.结果表明,在自然土壤中LD-10、NP-10和NP-4对蚯蚓7d半致死浓度w(LC50)分别为482.58、1 077.50和343.17 mg·kg-1,14 d的w(LC50)分别为438.38、984.64和316.65 mg.kg-1.在灭菌土壤中LD-10、NP-10和NP-4对蚯蚓7d的w(LC50)分别为350.71、960.95和309.63 mg·kg-1,14d的w(LC50)分别为320.24、745.99和274.76 mg·kg-1.在自然土壤和灭菌土壤中3种助剂对赤子爱胜蚓均为低毒,毒性由大到小依次为NP-4、LD-10和NP-10,且3者在灭菌土壤中的毒性均明显高于自然土壤.     

香格里拉本底站大气CO2浓度及变化特征初步研究

利用基于光腔衰荡光谱(Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy,CRDS)技术自组装的大气CO2在线观测系统,于2010年9月—2011年8月在云南香格里拉大气本底站对大气CO2进行了初步观测.该站春、夏、秋、冬季CO2平均本底浓度分别为394.78×10-6(物质的量之比,下同)、386.82×10-6、386.46×10-6和390.74×10-6.全年浓度在4—5月最高,7月份最低,全年月均值振幅约12.22×10-6.四季浓度日平均高值出现在上午7∶00左右,最低值出现在14∶00—17∶00.日变化振幅在冬季最小,夏季最大,分别为1.51×10-6和21.82×10-6.四季西南来向的地面风对CO2浓度均有明显的降低作用.通过四季每日整点后向轨迹聚类计算,结合浓度资料分析发现,该站春、夏、秋季来自于西南方向的气团降低了观测的CO2浓度,而在冬季未起到明显的降低作用,主要因该站局地植被生态系统排放减少所致.     

苯并[a]芘对马氏珠母贝D型面盘幼虫发育的影响

苯并芘(B[a]P)已广泛分布于海洋环境中,低等海洋无脊椎动物从受精卵开始整个生长发育过程都面临着B[a]P等多环芳烃类污染物(PAHs)的威胁。本实验以热带海洋优势贝类马氏珠母贝(Pinctada maetensii)作为材料,研究B[a]P对马氏珠母贝D型面盘幼虫发育的影响。将幼虫暴露于不同浓度(1、2、4、10和15μg·L-1)B[a]P中,在暴露后第12、24、36、48、72、84小时,分别测定其D型面盘幼虫的死亡率和畸形数。结果表明:B[a]P对D型面盘幼虫死亡率的影响明显,死亡率与时间呈正相关,其中4和10μg·L-1浓度组的响应最敏感。在1～10μg·L-1浓度范围内,死亡率与浓度呈正相关;B[a]P暴露对马氏珠母贝D型面盘幼虫的形态也有显著影响,且随着浓度的增大产生畸形个体的时间越短。另外,B[a]P对马氏珠母贝D型面盘幼虫的半数致死浓度(LC50)随着时间的推移逐渐降低后趋于稳定,48h时LC50趋于稳定,为21.56μg·L-1。研究表明,B[a]P对马氏珠母贝D形幼虫的发育具有不利影响,并可能影响其种群结构。     

不同区域城市排水系统中H2S的溢出规律

通过对广州、兰州和昆明等城市排水系统中H2S的溢出浓度、管网参数与水质指标等进行实地监测,考察不同区域城市排水系统中H2S溢出规律.结果表明,不同城市排水系统中H2S的溢出浓度与当地居民生活习惯相关,并具有明显的时段特征;在相同监测时段内,不同区域H2S溢出浓度与溶解氧浓度(DO)、有机物浓度、硫化物浓度、硫酸盐浓度以及污水流量有关.单样本K-S检验结果表明,不同区域城市排水系统H2S的溢出浓度具有相同分布规律,均近似服从正态分布.独立样本t检验结果表明,广州与兰州H2S的溢出浓度没有显著差异,但与昆明的H2S溢出浓度则具有显著差异.     

辽宁本溪大气颗粒物浓度特征

利用本溪大气成分监测站2008年3月至2009年2月大气颗粒物监测仪GRIMM180的连续监测资料,对该地区大气颗粒物的质量浓度变化、谱分布特征以及大气颗粒物与气象因素的关系进行分析研究.结果表明,本溪PM10和PM2.5平均质量浓度分别为0.086 mg.m-3和0.058 mg.m-3,其日平均质量浓度变化幅度较大;冬季和夏季质量浓度日变化均呈现明显的双峰双谷特征;数浓度谱分布较好地符合Junge分布;PM10日平均值超标率为8.7%,且大气颗粒物主要是以细粒子的形式存在;随风速的增大大气颗粒物质量浓度基本呈现逐渐减小的趋势,当风速〉0.6 m.s-1时,大气颗粒物质量浓度随风速增大下降明显,风速〉3.0 m.s-1时,下降的趋势减缓;降水过程对大气颗粒物有清除作用,其中对粗粒子的清除效果非常明显.