Sources and processes affecting concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 particulate matter in Birmingham (U.K.)

Hourly average concentrations of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 have been measured simultaneously at a site within Birmingham U.K. between October 1994 and October 1995. Comparison of PM₁₀ and NO_x data with two other sites in the same city shows comparable summer and winter mean concentrations and highly significant inter-site correlations for both hourly and daily mean data. Over a four-month period samples were also collected for chemical analysis of sulphate, nitrate, chloride, ammonium and elemental and organic carbon. Analysis of the data indicates a marked difference between summer and winter periods. In the winter months PM_2.5 comprises about 80% of PM₁₀ and is strongly correlated with NO_x indicating the importance of road traffic as a source. In the summer months, coarse particles (PM₁₀−PM_2.5) account for almost 50% of PM₁₀ and the influence of resuspended surface dusts and soils and of secondary particulate matter is evident. The chemical analysis data are also consistent with three sources dominating the PM₁₀ composition: vehicle exhaust emissions, secondary ammonium salts and resuspended surface dusts. Coarse particles from resuspension showed a positive dependence on windspeed, whilst elemental carbon derived from road traffic exhibited a negative dependence.     

BDE-28对斑马鱼核受体介导的内分泌干扰效应研究

2,4,4’-三溴联苯醚(BDE-28)在环境中普遍存在,且在长江流域多种水生生物中检出。目前,国内外对高溴代PBDEs(如BDE-47、BDE-99等)的水生脊椎动物内分泌干扰效应报道较多,而BDE-28的有关研究则相对较少。将斑马鱼胚胎暴露于2、20和200μg·L~(-1)的BDE-28后,借助q-RT-PCR方法对幼鱼8个重要受体包括雄激素受体(AR)、甲状腺激素受体(TR)、芳香烃受体(AhR)、雌激素受体(ER)、糖皮质激素受体(GR)、孕烷X受体(PXR)、盐皮质激素受体(MR)和过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体(PPAR)相关基因的转录水平进行了研究。结果表明,BDE-28暴露可导致AR、TR和Ah R的基因下调,其中核心受体AR和TR在低中高3种浓度下的下调倍数分别为3.03、2.64、10.10和2.21、2.18、2.31,芳香烃受体基因2(ahr2)在暴露于2和20μg·L~(-1)的BDE-28后,下调倍数分别为12.65和9.23,而雌激素受体(er1)基因在低中高浓度显著上调,上调倍数分别为12.29、12.67和15.87,雌激素受体(er2a)基因在2和20μg·L~(-1)BDE-28下的上调倍数分别为10.83和17.19。进一步采用分子对接和分子动力学模拟的方法研究BDE-28与AR、TR、Ah R和ER之间的相互作用。结果显示,BDE-28与这些受体通过疏水和氢键等相互作用稳定结合,动力学模拟后骨架原子的均方根偏差(RMSD)在5 ns后较稳定。由此可知,BDE-28通过AR、TR、Ah R和ER受体介导产生内分泌干扰效应。     

Ah Receptor Agonists in UV-exposed Toluene Solutions of Decabromodiphenyl Ether (decaBDE) and in Soils Contaminated with Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) (9 pp)

Goal, Scope and Background The use of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as flame retardants increases the risk for emissions of other brominated compounds, such as polybrominated dibenzodioxins (PBDDs) and dibenzofurans (PBDFs). The large homology in structure of PBDD/Fs and mechanism of toxic action, i.e. the capacity to activate the Ah receptor (AhR) pathway, compared to their well-studied chlorinated analogues, justifies a raised concern to study the environmental levels and fate of these compounds. Decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) is the most widely used PBDE today. Studies on photolytic debromination of decaBDE in organic solvents have shown debromination of decaBDE, as well as formation of PBDFs. However, little is known about the transformation mechanisms and there are only scarce data on photoproducts and PBDE transformation in environmentally relevant matrices. In this study, mechanism-specific dioxin bioassays were used to study photolytic formation of AhR agonists in toluene solutions of decaBDE. In addition, the influence of irradiation time and UV-light wavelength on the formation was studied. PBDE congener patterns and presence of PBDD/Fs were analysed. Further, AhR agonists were analysed in agricultural soils contaminated with PBDEs. Soils were also exposed to UV-light to study changes in AhR agonist levels. Methods Toluene solutions of decaBDE were irradiated using three different spectra of UV-light, simulating UV-A (320-400 nm), UV-AB (280-400 nm), and UV-ABC (250-400 nm). Additionally, decaBDE solutions were exposed to narrow wavelength intervals (10 nm bandwidth) with the central wavelengths 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360 nm. AhR agonists in decaBDE solutions were analysed with two different bioassays, the chick embryo liver-cell assay for dioxins (Celcad) and the dioxin responsive, chemically activated luciferase expression assay (DR-Calux). Also, the decaBDE solutions were analysed with LRGC-LRMS to obtain PBDE congener patterns for breakdown of decaBDE, and with HRGC-HRMS, for presence of PBDD/Fs. Four soils were exposed to UV-AB light, under both dry and moist conditions. Levels of AhR agonists in soil extract fractions, before and after UV-exposure, were analysed with the DR-Calux. Results and Discussion Significant levels of photoproducts able to activate the AhR pathway, up to 31 ng bio-TEQ/ml, were formed in UV-exposed decaBDE solutions. The transformation yield of decaBDE into AhR agonists was estimated to be at the 0.1%-level, on a molar basis. The net formation was highly dependent on wavelength, with the sample irradiated at 330 nm showing the highest level of dioxin-like activity. No activity was detected in controls. PBDE analysis confirmed decaBDE degradation and a clear time-dependent pattern for debromination of PBDE congeners. AhR agonist effect in the recalcitrant fractions of the soils corresponded to the levels of chemically derived TEQs, based only on chlorinated dioxin-like compounds in an earlier study. It was concluded that no significant levels of other AhR agonists, e.g. PBDFs, were accumulated in the soil. UV-light caused changes in AhR-mediated activity in the more polar and less persistent fractions of the soils, but it is not known which compounds are responsible for this. Recommendations and Perspective . The laboratory experiments in this study show that high levels of AhR agonists can be formed as photoproducts of decaBDE and it is important to elucidate if and under which conditions this might occur in nature. However, soil analysis indicates that photoproducts of PBDE do not contribute to the accumulated levels of persistent dioxin-like compounds in agricultural soil. Still, more data is needed to fully estimate the environmental importance of PBDE photolysis and occurrence of its photoproducts in other environmental compartments. Analysis with dioxin bioassays enabled us to gather information about photoproducts formed from decaBDE even though the exact identities of these compounds were not known. Conclusion Bioassays are valuable for studying environmental transformation processes like this, where chemical analysis and subsequent toxicological evaluation requires available standard compounds and information on toxicological potency. The use of bioassays allows a rapid evaluation of toxicological relevance.     

基于在线监测的南京仙林PM2.5组分特征与来源解析

为了研究南京市PM_2.5的污染特征及来源贡献,于2018年3月至2019年2月在南京仙林地区进行PM_2.5组分的在线监测,运用PMF和CMB受体模型,开展PM_2.5的来源解析.结果表明,观测期间南京市PM_2.5平均质量浓度为54.3μg/m³,其中冬季平均浓度76.4μg/m³.PM_2.5的主要组分为NO₃^-（21.3%~30.8%）、SO₄^2-（18.9%~23.5%）、NH₄⁺（14.3%~16.2%）.从全年平均来看,PMF模型得到的PM_2.5解析结果为：二次无机气溶胶（54.9%）、燃煤源（17.4%）、二次有机气溶胶（7.4%）、机动车排放源（7.1%）、工业源（4.9%）、扬尘源（4.8%）、其他源（3.4%）;CMB模型得到的PM_2.5解析结果为：硝酸盐（33.0%）、硫酸盐（24.0%）、燃煤源（16.4%）、机动车排放源（8.4%）、二次有机气溶胶（7.1%）、扬尘源（5.7%）、其他源（2.9%）、工业源（2.4%）.不同季节PM_2.5来源有所差异,夏冬季二次无机气溶胶占比大于春秋季,春冬季燃煤占比最大,二次有机气溶胶在秋季占比最大.结合2017年南京市大气污染源排放清单,对二次气溶胶贡献进行再解析,得到南京仙林地区PM_2.5主要贡献来自燃煤源（PMF：34.14%,CMB：33.82%）,机动车排放源（PMF：27.33%,CMB：29.33%）以及工业源（PMF：26.76%,CMB：24.77%）.可见,影响南京仙林地区PM_2.5的污染源主要来自燃煤源、机动车排放源和工业源,基于在线组分监测、利用PMF和CMB模型得到的PM_2.5源解析结果具有较好的一致性.     

典型生态脆弱区水库周边大气降尘重金属风险评价及APCS-MLR模型溯源

为评估生态脆弱区大气中重金属的健康风险状况及污染来源,以锡林郭勒盟大河口水库周边为研究区,2021~2022年对布设的12个大气降尘监测点进行为期1a的采集工作,共收集到样品144份,测定Cr、Ni、Pb、Cu、Zn、Mn、As和Cd共8种重金属的含量,运用潜在生态指数（E_rⁱ）和健康风险评价模型评估大气中重金属对生态安全和人体健康的风险水平,利用富集因子分析法,主成分分析法及绝对主成分-多元线性回归（APCS-MLR）受体模型定性与定量地解析研究区大气重金属污染来源.结果表明：①研究区全年大气降尘重金属综合潜在生态风险均值属于强生态风险,各重金属元素中仅Cd元素处于极高风险程度,其余均为轻微风险.②健康风险评价结果表明,手口途径和皮肤接触途径摄入是引起非致癌风险和致癌风险的主要暴露途径,儿童在个别月份存在非致癌风险与可接受的致癌风险,其中As元素是非致癌风险与致癌风险的主要贡献来源.③通过富集因子分析、主成分分析和APCS-MLR受体模型计算表明：风沙扬尘源占比最大,为37.82%,煤炭燃烧与交通源对Cu、Cd、Pb和Zn的贡献率分别为：73.01%、40.22%、70.31%和32.82%;采矿活动对As贡献率为42.59%;工业源对Cd元素的贡献率为22.01%;人类其他活动源对Cd、As、Pb和Zn的贡献分别为：21.12%、34.40%、23.04%和32.15%.     

类酶联免疫分析法可行性的研究

多环芳烃作为持久性高毒性的有机污染物,一直受到广泛关注。酶联免疫分析技术因特异性强、快速、便捷等优点而广泛使用。建立了芳香烃受体介导的类酶联免疫竞争方法(类ELISA),用于检测环境中多环芳烃类物质的含量。在实验室条件下,分别检测了5种多环芳烃萘、苊、菲、荧蒽和芘,同时比较与高效液相色谱法(HPLC)和气相色谱-质谱联用法(GC/MS)在灵敏度、准确性和重现性等标的差异。HPLC检出限为2.70~10.71 ng/mL;GC/MS的检出限为2.60~24.40 ng/mL;类ELISA的检出限在1.24~3.10ng/mL。HPLC的加标回收率为58.03%~106.69%;GC/MS的加标回收率为88.16%~154.83%;类ELISA的加标回收率为74.67%~121.84%。HPLC的变异系数为4.26~9.03;GC/MS的变异系数为1.44~5.82;类ELISA的变异系数为2.56~8.16。结果表明,类ELISA方法灵敏度较好,准确性较高;而GC/MS方法重现性较好,检测更为稳定。     

In vitro thyroid disrupting e ects of organic extracts from WWTPs in Beijing

It is generally known that there are many endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in the e uents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Most research has focused on the occurrence of estrogenic or androgenic activities, while ignoring that there are environmental chemicals disrupting thyroid system, which is essential for growth and development in both humans and animals. In the present work, a two-hybrid yeast assay was conducted to evaluate the removal e ciencies of agonistic or antagonistic thyroid receptor (TR) mediated e ects in di erent treatment processes of three WWTPs located in Beijing. We found no TR agonistic, but TR antagonistic activities in all processes from the WWTPs. The TR antagonistic activities in organic extracts of water samples were then calibrated regarding to a known TR-inhibitor, amiodarone hydrochloride (AH). The observed concentration of TR disrupting substances ranged from 2.35 10??8 to 6.19 10??7 mol/L AH in Gaobeidian WWTP, 3.76 10??8 to 8.75 10??8 mol/L AH in Lugouqiao WWTP, and 4.80 10??9 to 2.55 10??8 mol/L AH in Beixiaohe WWTP. Of the three WWTPs, the removal rates were 92.7%, 42.2%, and 23.1% respectively. Industrial sewage may contain more TR disrupting substances compared with domestic sewage. The recipient waters were found to contain considerable concentrations of TR disrupting substances that may cause adverse e ects on the exposed organisms.     

Influence of rice straw burning on the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in agricultural county of Taiwan

Atmospheric particulate and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) size distribution were measured at Jhu-Shan (a rural site) and Sin-Gang (a town site) in central Taiwan during the rice straw burning and non-burning periods. The concentrations of total PAHs accounting for a roughly 58% (34%) increment in the concentrations of total PAHs due to rice-straw burning. Combustion-related PAHs during burning periods were 1.54–2.57 times higher than those during non-burning periods. The mass median diameter (MMD) of 0.88–1.21 m in the particulate phase suggested that rice-straw burning generated the increase in coarse particle number. Chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor model analyses showed that the primary pollution sources at the two sites were similar. However, ricestraw burning emission was specifically identified as a significant source of PAH during burning periods at the two sites. Open burning of rice straws was estimated to contribute approximately 6.3%–24.6% to total atmospheric PAHs at the two sites.     

Biochemical interaction of six op delayed neurotoxicants with several neurotargets

Abstract

Five organophosphorous insecticides: Leptophos, EPN, Cyano‐fenphos, trichloronate and salithion proved to cause irreversible ataxia not only to chicken but also to mice and sheep. TOCP was included as a reference. Cyanofenphos blocked the catecholamine B‐receptor binding activity with ³H‐norepinephrine at a level similar to that of the specific inhibitor propranolol in the mouse heart preparation. In the lamb heart preparation, the B‐receptor was more sensitive to Leptophos, salithion and TOCP than to propranolol. The six compounds and their oxons were screened for their in‐vitro inhibition to monamine oxidase (MAO), acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) and neurotoxic esterase (NTE) in the brain of either mouse, lamb or chicken. It is believed that their AChE inhibition stands for their acute toxicity, while NTE inhibition is responsible for their paralytic ataxia.     

基于风险场的区域突发性环境风险评价方法研究

在大尺度空间,风险源、风险受体和风险传播途径的多样性和相互作用的复杂性是区域环境风险评价的难点.同时,现有评价方法很少关注风险因子的释放规律,释放后在空间中的分布格局,以及风险受体受到损害的途径和程度.本文应用风险场理论,分析描述风险场形成和对风险受体作用的机制.结合南京化工园区实例进行环境风险源识别,采用集对分析等方法构建了各风险源产生的环境风险场,再分析处于风险场中的环境风险受体,最后得到区域环境风险水平分布,同时将其划分为5个等级.评价结果显示,位于风险源周围或河道下游的人口稠密、生态环境敏感地区环境风险值R≥6,风险水平处于极高、高等级,与园区现状具有较好的一致性.建议依据环境风险水平的分级、分类结果建立起以预防为主的环境风险管理体系.