Toxicity of Heavy Metals on Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turp.) de Brébisson in Batch Cultures (7 pp)

Background Aquatic environments are often exposed to various pollutants like heavy metals that are released from industrial, agricultural and domestic wastes. Emissions of heavy metals can then enter all ecosystems and bring about severe problems in plants, especially algae depending on the concentrations of a given element. The objective of the investigation presented is to detect toxic effects due to some heavy metals in the biomass of green alga Scenedesmus quadricauda. Methods All experiments were conducted with axenic cultures of the green alga Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turp.) de Brebisson (Chlorococcales, Chlorophyta). The cultures were grown in Chu-no.10 medium, and optimum physical and chemical growth conditions were provided to get higher growth rates and lower doubling times of cells. Growth of the micro algal cultures was measured on a daily schedule by counting cultures and determination of chlorophyll-a. The sterile-filtered heavy metal concentration solutions (Cd, Pb and Cu) were prepared and added as stock solutions of their salts (CdCl2*2.5 H2O, Pb(NO3)2*H2O and CuSO4*5 H2O). Results and Discussion The growth decreased gradually with the alga exposed to Cd at 0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/L in comparison with the control whereas 1 mg/L Cd2+ had a clearly destructive effect. The growth was decreased with Pb at 15, 20 and 25 mg/L gradually, while at 30 mg/L the effect was more pronounced. When Cu was used, the growth was increased gradually at 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/L and vice versa at 2 mg/L. Conclusion There were differences in toxic effects of the metals with different metal as well as their concentrations and the time of exposure.     

Chemical contamination and sediment toxicity along the coast of Corsica

Trace metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Ni, Co, Zn, Hg, As, Mn, Al, Fe, and Li) and organic compounds (PCBs, PAHs, lindanes, and DDT and its degradation products) were measured in coastal sediment samples from 27 sites in lagoons and along coastal areas of Corsica. An oyster embryo bioassay evaluated the toxicity of sediments from sites in three coastal lagoons (Urbino, Diane, and Biguglia) and the west coast of Cape Corsica. Despite contamination levels generally lower than those in other Mediterranean coastal areas, contamination is found in specific sites in Corsica and includes natural arsenic contamination on the east coast, insecticide pollution (persistent lindane and DDT) in many areas, both cadmium and lead contamination around Sagone, general contamination of both main harbours (Bastia and Ajaccio) and their surrounding areas, and asbestos mining residues in western Cape Corsica. Monitoring development of Crassostrea gigas embryos showed toxic effects at sites near a factory on Cape Corsica, with up to 100% mortality of larvae, and lower levels of toxicity at Sagone (44% mortality) and in the three coastal lagoons (up to 28% mortality). Results of this regional study show the need for further monitoring to understand the environmental issues facing the Corsican coast.     

Iron toxicity resistance strategies in tropical grasses: The role of apoplastic radicular barriers

The revegetation of mined areas poses a great challenge to the iron ore mining industry. The initial recovery process in degraded areas might rely on the use of Fe-resistant grasses. Tropical grasses, such as Paspalum densum and Echinochloa crus-galli, show different resistance strategies to iron toxicity; however, these mechanisms are poorly understood. The Fe-resistance mechanisms and direct iron toxicity as a function of root apex removal were investigated. To achieve this purpose, both grass species were grown for up to 480?hr in a nutrient solution containing 0.019 or 7?mmol/L Fe-EDTA after the root apices had been removed or maintained. Cultivation in the presence of excess iron-induced leaf bronzing and the formation of iron plaque on the root surfaces of both grass species, but was more significant on those plants whose root apex had been removed. Iron accumulation was higher in the roots, but reached phytotoxic levels in the aerial parts as well. It did not hinder the biosynthesis of chloroplastidic pigments. No significant changes in gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence occurred in either grass when their roots were kept intact; the contrary was true for plants with excised root apices. In both studied grasses, the root apoplastic barriers had an important function in the restriction of iron translocation from the root to the aerial plant parts, especially in E. crus-galli. Root apex removal negatively influenced the iron toxicity resistance mechanisms (tolerance in P. densum and avoidance in E. crus-galli).     

CdSe/ZnS量子点对斑马鱼胚胎发育的毒性效应

本研究以模式生物斑马鱼(Danio rerio)为对象,观察在不同浓度Cd Se/Zn S量子点(Cd Se/Zn S QDs)暴露下,斑马鱼胚胎形态发育、氧化应激以及金属硫蛋白MT基因和应激蛋白Hsp70基因表达变化情况.结果表明,Cd Se/Zn S QDs对斑马鱼胚胎72 hpf(hours post fertilization)的半致畸效应浓度(EC50)为316.994 nmol·L-1.QDs暴露影响了斑马鱼胚胎的死亡率、畸形率、孵化率、自主运动频率和体长,以及引起胚胎卵凝集,心包囊肿,脊椎弯曲等多种毒性效应;同时导致斑马鱼体内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性变化以及丙二醛(MDA)含量增加.QDs还诱导斑马鱼MT基因和Hsp70基因表达上调,斑马鱼机体产生一系列自我保护反应来减轻QDs所造成的伤害.这表明:Cd Se/Zn S QDs对斑马鱼胚胎产生了毒性效应,其毒性可能与其核心Cd2+的释放、粒径大小以及氧化应激有关.     

基于USEtox的焦化行业优先污染物筛选排序研究

针对焦化污染物的毒性影响,以山西省清徐市某焦化厂为研究对象,通过采样分析、文献调研,构建了焦化厂污染物排放清单,采用生命周期影响评价(LCIA)模型USEtox计算焦化污染物排放的人体及生态毒性影响,对结果进行排序筛选,分析并识别了焦化行业优先污染物、污染优先控制工段以及焦化厂选址对毒性排放的影响,为区域人体健康及生态环境保护提供了科学依据.结果表明,焦化行业排放的人体毒性优先污染物为苯并[a]芘、锌等,生态毒性优先污染物为芘、蒽等;在装煤、焦炉烟囱、推焦和熄焦这4个工段的排放中,有机毒性排放集中于装煤工段,优先污染物为苯并[a]芘、苯、萘、二苯[a,h]蒽等,金属毒性排放集中于熄焦工段,优先污染物为锌、砷、锑、汞等;焦化污染物毒性受排放地区的影响,厂区从城市迁至农村的过程可以大幅降低有机物的毒性影响,但是对于金属毒性的降低并无积极作用,并且会增加农村土壤和水体受重金属污染的风险.     

氧化铜纳米颗粒对水稻幼苗根系代谢毒性的研究

为阐明氧化铜纳米颗粒(CuO NPs)暴露对植物生长的影响,分别用CuO NPs悬浮液、氧化铜大颗粒(CuO BPs)悬浮液和硫酸铜(CuSO4·5H2O)溶液进行处理,以蒸馏水(d H2O)作为对照,水培水稻幼苗,研究了CuO NPs对水稻幼苗根系相关生理生化行为的影响.结果表明,不同处理对水稻幼苗根系的影响有很大差异,经CuO NPs悬浮液处理后,水稻幼根受损较严重,根系活力明显降低,根内丙二醛(MDA)含量和过氧化氢(H2O2)含量显著升高,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性明显增强.不同处理对水稻幼苗根的影响依次为:CuO NPs>CuSO4·5H2O>CuO BPs>d H2O.说明氧化铜纳米颗粒对水稻根的毒害作用不仅是由于释放离子引起的,纳米颗粒本身也起着重要作用,氧化损伤可能是CuO NPs的主要致毒机制之一.     

淡水沉积物中重金属对底栖生物毒性及其生物有效性研究

以淡水单孔蚓(Monopylephorous limosus)、伸展摇蚊(Chironomus tentans)为受试生物,以生长抑制率、死亡率、自断率为测试终点,研究了沉积物中5种重金属(Cu、Cd、Ni、Pb、Zn)对底栖生物的毒性效应,探讨了沉积物中酸挥发性硫化物(Acid Volatile Sulfide,AVS)和同时提取金属(Simultaneously Extracted Metals,SEM)与生物毒性之间的关系.结果表明:5种金属加标沉积物对淡水单孔蚓和伸展摇蚊的毒性顺序分别是Cd(LC50281 mg·kg-1)Ni(LC50646 mg·kg-1)Cu(LC50830 mg·kg-1)Pb(LC501040 mg·kg-1)Zn(LC501320 mg·kg-1);Cd(LC5026.3 mg·kg-1)Pb(LC50248 mg·kg-1)≈Cu(LC50256 mg·kg-1)Ni(LC50343 mg·kg-1)Zn(LC501400 mg·kg-1).当SEM/AVS1时,除Cd外其他4种金属对淡水单孔蚓、伸展摇蚊幼虫均表现出较为明显的毒性效应,而且Pb、Ni、Zn对两种生物的毒性效应与SEM/AVS值之间表现出良好的一致性,说明SEM/AVS可以较好的反映沉积物中重金属的生物有效性.     

不同光强对阿特拉津和百草枯藻类毒性的影响

分别在20和50μmol·m-2·s-1光照强度下,研究了两种除草剂阿特拉津和百草枯对3株蓝藻:铜绿微囊藻Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806、M.aeruginosa XW01、集胞藻Synechocystis PCC6803和两株绿藻:蛋白核小球藻Chlorella pyrenoidosa、四尾柵藻Scenedesmus quadricauda的毒害效应.通过测定藻的生长,计算出了半效抑制浓度EC50值,结果表明:高光强下两种除草剂对5株藻的96 h-EC50值均明显低于低光强下的值,显示高光强有促进两种除草剂对藻类毒害的效应.高光强可促使阿特拉津显著提高藻细胞的丙二醛(MDA)含量,提示高光强促进阿特拉津产生更多的自由基破坏细胞膜脂.     

不同剂型高效氯氟氰菊酯对大型溞的毒性效应

为明确剂型对农药制剂毒性的影响,参照《化学农药环境安全评价试验准则》的方法,测定了高效氯氟氰菊酯乳油、脲醛树脂微胶囊悬浮剂、聚脲微胶囊悬浮剂和水乳剂3种剂型4种制剂对大型溞的急性毒性,并对其体长、摄食等亚急性毒性指标进行了比较.结果表明,加工成不同剂型均会提高药剂的毒性,高效氯氟氰菊酯原药对大型溞的48 h-EC50为2.50×10-3mg·L-1,乳油、脲醛树脂微胶囊悬浮剂、聚脲微胶囊悬浮剂和水乳剂3种剂型的4种制剂的48 h-EC50分别为8.04×10-4、6.25×10-4、1.56×10-3、1.65×10-3mg·L-1,且毒性随暴露时间延长而明显增加.亚急性毒性试验结果显示,当浓度为1.00×10-4mg·L-1时,3种剂型的4种制剂均会对体长、摄食等亚急性指标产生影响,且不同剂型的高效氯氟氰菊酯对大型溞体长的影响强弱顺序为:脲醛树脂微胶囊悬浮剂乳油聚脲微胶囊悬浮剂水乳剂,对摄食的影响为:乳油脲醛树脂微胶囊悬浮剂聚脲微胶囊悬浮剂水乳剂.     

Emission factors of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from domestic coal combustion in China

Domestic coal stove is widely used in China, especially for countryside during heating period of winter, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PAHs） are important in flue gas of the stove. By using dilution tunnel system, samples of both gaseous and particulate phases from domestic coal combustion were collected and 18 PAH species were analyzed by GC-MS. The average emission factors of total 18 PAH species was 171.73 mg/kg, ranging from 140.75 to 229.11 mg/kg for bituminous coals, while was 93.98 mg/kg, ranging from 58.48 to 129.47 mg/kg for anthracite coals. PAHs in gaseous phases occupied 95% of the total of PAHs emission of coal combustion. In particulate phase, 3-ring and 4- ring PAHs were the main components, accounting for 80% of the total particulate PAHs. The total toxicity potency evaluated by benzo[a]pyrene-equivalent carcinogenic power, sum of 7 carcinogenic PAH components and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin had a similar tendency. And as a result, the toxic potential of bituminous coal was higher than that of anthracite coal. Efficient emission control should be conducted to reduce PAH emissions in order to protect ecosystem and human health.