Altered toxicity of organic pollutants in water originated from simultaneous exposure to UV photolysis and CdSe/ZnS quantum dots

The paper reports unforeseen results of increased toxicity of water, subsequent to interactions between CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs), phenol and toluene under UV irradiation. The consistent pattern of changes in measured toxicity (TU) was observed and correlated with degradation of phenol and/or toluene. Spearman rank coefficients (SRCs) for data pairs sum-parameters vs. TU were calculated. The highest correlation between toxicity and degradation by-products was observed for hydroquinone (0.86) and catechol (0.89). The presence of QDs in tested concentration range in the absence of UV has shown low toxicity and no interactions with phenol and/or toluene. The leak of constituent core and shell metal ions was observed. The minor differences in physical characteristics of tested QDs of the same chemical composition led to rather different degradation patterns of phenol and toluene, and the amount of leak of the metal ions as well.     

Toxicity of nanoparticulate and bulk ZnO, Al2O3 and TiO2 to the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Limited information is available on the environmental behavior and associated potential risk of manufactured oxide nanoparticles (NPs). In this research, toxicity of nanoparticulate and bulk ZnO, Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ were examined to the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans with Escherichia coli as a food source. Parallel experiments with dissolved metal ions from NPs were also conducted. The 24-h median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) and sublethal endpoints were assessed. Both NPs and their bulk counterparts were toxic, inhibiting growth and especially the reproductive capability of the nematode. The 24-h LC₅₀ for ZnO NPs (2.3 mg L⁻¹) and bulk ZnO was not significantly different, but significantly different between Al₂O₃ NPs (82 mg L⁻¹) and bulk Al₂O₃ (153 mg L⁻¹), and between TiO₂ NPs (80 mg L⁻¹) and bulk TiO₂ (136 mg L⁻¹). Oxide solubility influenced the toxicity of ZnO and Al₂O₃ NPs, but nanoparticle-dependent toxicity was indeed observed for the investigated NPs.     

Environmental impact assessment (EIA): Equilibrium fugacity calculations and worst case approach

A mathematical model UNITRISK which can be used for screening purposes and risk ranking was set up to calculate relative risk values of single chemicals and mixtures of chemicals towards single or mixtures of organisms via contamination of air, water, soil and food dose. The concentration values are calculated by applying the fugacity concept or a dose must be defined. The dose-response is assumed to be linear versus concentration and degradative processes are not considered which is the worst case. The assumption that equilibria between the environmental phases exist is simplifying the model and is also representing the worst case. A mean risk factor is calculated which is 1 if the endpoint values (LC₅₀, LD₅₀, ADI, etc.) are exceeded for the investigated organisms and man.     

Discharge of oilfield-produced water in nueces bay,texas: A case study

During oil and gas production, water is often extracted from geological formations along with the hydrocarbons. These "produced waters" have been discharged to Nueces Bay since the turn of the century. These effluents were found to be highly toxic, and sediments in the vicinity of the discharges were also toxic. We developed a map of wells and produced-water discharge sites in the vicinity of Nueces Bay and identified numerous unplugged wells suitable for conversion to produced water disposal wells. An economic analysis of conversion to subterranean injection of produced water indicates that most of the wells currently in production could pay out the cost of conversion to injection in one to three years. The use of one injection well for two or more water-producing wells could yield greater savings. Wells that could not support the cost of injection are small producers, and their loss would not constitute a major loss of jobs or dollars to the area. This study could serve as a useful model for evaluating the economic feasibility of conversion to injection in other areas of Texas and Louisiana.     

对苯二甲酸对鱼类毒性的研究

通过实验室内短期毒实验，评价了对苯二甲酸对鱼草的毒性，给出了对苯二甲酸对草鱼仔鱼及幼鱼的９６ｈＬＣ５０值及其安全浓度。     

生物标志物

生物标志物技术是常规生物检测方法的必要补充，其在环境管理，风险性评价和生态恢复方面有着较广泛的应用，该文主要介绍了相对于常规生物检定方法而言，生物标志物所具备的优点，以及常用生物标志物的类型，生物标志物在环境保护领域的应用等     

小鼠骨髓微核试验评价某市水源水及自来水的遗传毒性

在以往Ａｍｅｓ和ＶＤＳ试验的基础上，运用小鼠体内微核试验检测了某市自来水公司所属的８个水厂水源水、自来水及２个新拟建水厂源水的有机提取物的遗传毒性。结果表明，除２个新拟建水厂的源水外，该市原来的水源水和自来水，均可不同程度地诱导小鼠微核率的升高，并有明显的剂量反应关系。这说明，该市原来的水源水已受到不同程度的污染，而２个新拟建水厂的取水点则水质较好。     

用细胞电泳率指标检测膜毒性物质的探讨

细胞电泳地是近期发展起来的一种检测细胞膜表面微小改变的生物学方法，当膜表面电荷密度分布受影响时，细胞在等强度电场作用下的移动速率会发生改变，根据电泳速率的改变，可以判断外源性物质对细胞膜是否具损伤作用。     

Bioavailability of zinc in runoff water from roofing materials

Corrosion and runoff from zinc-coated materials and outdoor structures is an important source for the dispersion of zinc in the environment. Being part of a large inter-disciplinary research project, this study presents the bioavailability of zinc in runoff water immediately after release from the surface of 15 different commercially available zinc-based materials exposed to the urban environment of Stockholm, Sweden. Runoff water was analysed chemically and evaluated for its possible environmental impact, using both a biosensor test with the bacteria Alcaligenes eutrophus (Biomet^®) and the conventional 72 h growth inhibition test with the green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata. Chemical speciation modelling revealed that most zinc (94.3–99.9%) was present as the free Zn ion, the most bioavailable speciation form. These findings were confirmed by the results of the biosensor test (Biomet^®) which indicated that all zinc was indeed bioavailable. Analysis of the ecotoxicity data also suggested that the observed toxic effects were due to the presence of Zn²⁺ ions. Finally, regression analysis showed that, for this type of runoff samples, the rapid screening biosensor was capable of predicting (a) the total amount of zinc present in the runoff samples (R² of 0.93–0.98; p<0.05) and (b) the observed 72 h-EbC₅₀s (R² of 0.69–0.97; p<0.05).