Trace elements in fish and oysters from Sepetiba Bay (Rio de Janeiro – Brazil) determined by total reflection X-ray fluorescence using synchrotron radiation

Trace elements were determined in fish and oysters from Sepetiba Bay, Brazil, by total reflection Xray fluorescence using synchrotron radiation (SRTXRF). Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Se were determined in fish muscles and organs and in oyster soft tissue. SRTXRF was shown to be a good tool for the analysis of trace elements from biological tissue samples. Overall, the levels of the analysed metals were higher in oysters than in the fish samples. Metals were not uniformly distributed throughout the body of the analysed fish. The detected concentrations of Cr, Zn and Se were very high in some samples, surpassing the maximum limits established by Brazilian legislation.     

Genetic analysis of Pinus banksiana and Pinus resinosa populations from stressed sites contaminated with metals in Northern Ontario (Canada)

The Sudbury region in Canada is known for the mining and smelting of high-sulphide ores containing nickel, copper, iron and precious metals. Although reports provide information of metal levels in soil and plants, knowledge of genetic effects on plants growing in contaminated areas is limited. The main objective of this study was to characterise the level of genetic diversity in Pinus banksiana and Pinus resinosa populations from the Sudbury (Ontario) region using microsatellite markers. Soil samples were analysed for concentrations of metals. High levels of metal contents in soil were observed within short distances of the smelter compared with control sites. The level of genetic diversity was very low for P. resinosa populations and moderate for P. banksiana samples. Observed heterozygosity was fivefold higher in P. banksiana populations than P. resinosa populations studied. Overall, 17 and 24% of the total genetic diversity were attributed to differences among populations for P. banksiana and P. resinosa, respectively. In general, the inbreeding was significantly higher in P. resinosa populations than P. banksiana populations and gene flows were relatively low in both species. No significant trend of the levels of genetic diversity for metal contaminated and uncontaminated sites was found.     

Organochlorine pesticides (HCHs and DDTs) in soils along the north coastal areas of the Bohai Sea,China

A systematic survey of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) including hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, δ-HCH and ΣHCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane metabolites (p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE, o,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDD and ∑DDT) in soils along the north coastal areas of the Bohai Sea, China, has been lacking. In this study, 31 representative surface soil samples were collected along the north coastal and riverine areas of the Bohai Sea to characterise the potential for adverse effects of ∑HCH, ∑DDT and their individual isomers and transformation products. Concentrations of ΣHCH and ΣDDT in soils ranged from less than the limit of detection (1 ng · g^?1 dw (mean: 3.5 ng · g^?1 dw) and2 ng · g^?1 dw (mean: 1.7 × 10¹ ng · g^?1 dw), respectively. Compared with studies of OCPs in soils from other locations, concentrations of HCHs and DDTs observed in this study were moderate. Concentrations of OCPs observed in soils were generally less than proposed reference values. HCH residues were a mixture of historical technical HCH and current lindane sources. The pattern of DDTs was consistent with historical releases of technical DDTs. Selected soil physicochemical properties did not explain the sorption and/or partitioning of HCHs or DDTs.     

Viral metagenomics: a new and complementary tool for environmental quality assessment

Metagenomic sequencing of nucleic acids from environmental or other complex samples can be successfully used as a powerful tool for environmental quality assessment. Being a culture-independent approach, it does not rely on the presence or absence of specific organisms or genes, and can even identify novel organisms. When focused on viruses, metagenomics can help to shed light on their involvement in ecosystem functioning, due to their dependence on their hosts and their ability to respond quickly to environmental changes. Moreover, viral metagenomics can show the impact of contamination on different natural ecosystems, highlighting putative sources and potential pathogens.     

Molecular and ecological characterisation of plant populations from limed and metal-contaminated sites in Northern Ontario (Canada): ISSR analysis of white birch (Betula papyrifera) populations

The Greater Sudbury region in Northern Ontario is known as one of Canada's most ecologically disturbed regions because of the effects of heavy metal pollution. The main objectives of the present study were to assess the effects of soil liming of sites contaminated with metals on species richness and abundance, forest health in general, and to determine the level of genetic variability in white birch populations from Northern Ontario. Shannon-Wiener diversity index and tree species richness values were higher in populations from limed and control sites compared to the unlimed areas. A significant improvement in forest population health (measured using a scale of 1 to 10) in limed sites over the unlimed areas was observed. Key results revealed no significant difference for metal content in white birch (Betula papyrifera) leaves from limed compared to unlimed sites. But higher levels of Al, Ca, Mg, Mn, Ni, Sr, and Zn in leaves compared to the bioavailable amount in soil were observed. The levels of genetic variability in white birch populations were moderate to high, ranging from 30% to 79% of polymorphic loci. A high level of genetic variability such as observed in the present study is usually associated with long term sustainability in plant populations. No association was found between metal accumulation in soil or plants and the levels of genetic variation.     

Trace element concentration levels in three bird species in Hormod Protected Area,Larestan, Iran

The objective of the present study was to investigate the levels of Cd, Pb, Co, and Cu, in A. chukar, A. griseogularis, and Columba livia, in order to (1) examine the age- and gender-related variation in trace metal accumulation and (2) to determine the significance between metal concentrations in the kidney, liver, and pectoral muscle. Mean concentrations of Cd and Pb in the kidney of A. chukar, A. griseogularis, and C. livia were 3.7, 4.1, and 3.9?µg/g and 15.9, 13.6, and 15.5?µg/g, respectively. In the liver, they were 4.8, 4.3, and 3.9?µg/g and 21.4, 21.3, and 21.1?µg/g, and in the pectoral muscle, 2.3, 2.3, and 2.2?µg/g and 7.1, 7.1, and 7.8?µg/g, respectively. Metal concentrations in three bird species were decreased in the sequence of liver?>?kidney?>?pectoral muscle. Trace metal concentrations in the three species were higher in females than in males. The mean concentrations of Cd in the kidney and liver were higher than the background levels, as well as Pb concentrations in the liver were higher than the toxic level.     

外源和内源呼吸模式下好氧活性污泥的微生物群落演替及生物活性特征

通过模拟好氧活性污泥实验,采用PCR-DGGE技术并监测不同时期的CODCr、脱氢酶和总蛋白质的质量浓度,研究在外源和内源呼吸模式下,微生物群落结构及相关生物活性的变化。结果表明：未添加碳源处理中 CODCr的质量浓度稳定在100 mg·L-1左右;脱氢酶的质量浓度从1μg·mL-1降低到接近0μg·mL-1;总蛋白的质量浓度从0.05 mg·mL-1上升至0.07 mg·mL-1后下降至0.01 mg·mL-1左右;同时,微生物群落结构变化不大。外加葡萄糖处理中CODCr的质量浓度从1000 mg·L-1下降并稳定在100 mg·L-1左右;脱氢酶的质量浓度从2μg·mL-1上升到5μg·mL-1;总蛋白的质量浓度均从0.05 mg·mL-1上升至0.07 mg·mL-1后下降至0.005 mg·mL-1左右;同时,微生物群落多样性呈现收敛趋势。内源和外源呼吸模式下的活性污泥中,变形菌门（ Proteobacteria ）都是绝对优势种群,其次是拟杆菌门（ Bacteroidetes ）。内源呼吸末期δ-变形菌门（Deltaproteobacteria）消失,外源呼吸末期硝化螺菌门（Nitrospirae）消失。     

海南岛东部陆架表层沉积物重金属污染评价

对海南岛东部陆架29个站位的表层沉积物重金属元素(Cu、Cr、As、Pb、Zn和Cd)进行了含量测试及分布特征分析,采用地累积指数(I_geo)、富集因子(EF)和潜在生态危害指数对其进行了评价.研究结果表明:重金属含量空间分布趋势较为相似,呈现出由陆向海略微减小的趋势.6种重金属元素可能有相同或相似的来源,但Pb和As受到了人类活动影响.以上地壳和海南岛近岸未受污染沉积物为背景值的I_geo和EF值排序有所不同.研究区单项潜在生态危害系数平均值排序为Cd> As> Cu> Pb> Cr> Zn,Cu、Cr、Pb和Zn等4种重金属为轻微潜在生态危害,As和Cd在个别站位达到了中等潜在生态危害水平.综合潜在生态危害指数评价结果显示,研究区绝大多数站位处于轻微潜在生态危害水平.潜在生态危害水平相对较高的区域邻近万泉河、陵水河和三亚河河口.     

大运河丰水期水体中全氟化合物的分布

应用固相萃取分离富集与高效液相色谱/电喷雾负电离源串联质谱法分析了2014年6月采自京杭大运河水体41个样品中17 种全氟化合物,对其污染现状及分布进行了讨论,并对污染来源进行了分析.大运河水体中的全氟化合物总浓度（∑PFCs）范围为7.4~153.5ng/L.PFCs含量有一个大致从南到北递减的趋势.大运河江南部分∑PFCs在杭州嘉兴河段处出现高值点.长江以北部分在德州地区出现高值点,南方大部分河段以PFOA为主导化合物,而在北方河段PFOA的主导性降低.对大运河沿途地区城镇化、经济水平与各地区大运河水体平均∑PFCs浓度的关系进行了比较,结果表明具有较高的相关性.     

红枫湖流域表层沉积物中全氟化合物的污染特征

PFCs(perfluorinated compounds, 全氟化合物)因具有持久性、生物富集效应和毒性而受到环境科学领域的普遍关注. 采用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱联用仪(UPLC-MS/MS)并结合固相萃取的方法,对贵阳市主要饮用水水源地——红枫湖主要入湖支流及湖区表层沉积物中10种PFCs的质量分数进行了检测,分析了其污染水平、空间分布及组成特征. 结果表明,各采样点w(∑PFCs)(10种PFCs的总质量分数)为0.27~1.65 ng/g,其中PFBA(全氟丁酸)、PFPeA(全氟戊酸)、PFOA(全氟辛酸)、PFBS(全氟丁烷磺酸)、PFOS(全氟辛烷磺酸)及PFHxA(全氟己酸)不仅检出率高,而且对各采样点w(∑PFCs)的贡献较大,是红枫湖表层沉积物中主要的PFCs;受湖区水文水动力条件及沉积物有机质的影响,北湖表层沉积物中w(∑PFCs)高于南湖,并且全湖w(∑PFCs)的最高值位于出湖口处,达到1.65 ng/g;红枫湖流域表层沉积物中的w(PFOA)和w(PFOS)分别为0.07~0.51和nd(未检出)~0.16 ng/g,与国内外其他流域相比处于较低水平;大气沉降可能是红枫湖流域PFCs的主要来源.