A large data gap for reptile ecotoxicology still persists; therefore, ecological risk assessments of reptiles usually incorporate the use of surrogate species. This necessitates that (1) the surrogate is at least as sensitive as the target taxon and/or (2) exposures to the surrogate are greater than that of the target taxon. We evaluated these assumptions for the use of birds as surrogates for reptiles. Based on a survey of the literature, birds were more sensitive than reptiles in less than 1/4 of the chemicals investigated. Dietary and dermal exposure modeling indicated that exposure to reptiles was relatively high, particularly when the dermal route was considered. We conclude that caution is warranted in the use of avian receptors as surrogates for reptiles in ecological risk assessment and emphasize the need to better understand the magnitude and mechanism of contaminant exposure in reptiles to improve exposure and risk estimation. 相似文献
Environmental safety data are presented for [S,S]-Ethylene Diamine Disuccinate ([S,S]EDDS), a new, biodegradable, strong transition metal chelator. An environmental risk assessment for its use in detergent applications, which takes into account the chelating properties of [S,S]-EDDS, is proposed.
A property of [S,S]-EDDS that distinguishes it from other strong transition metal chelators is its, “ready” and transparent (no recalcitrant metabolites) biodegradation profile. Because its sorption to activated sludge solids is low ( Kp of 40 1/kg), removal of [S,S]EDDS during sewage treatment, which is greater than 96% as determined by the Continuous Activated Sludge test , is mainly ascribed to biodegradation. At projected use volumes in detergent applications [S,S] - EDDS predicted steady-state concentration in rivers leaving the mixing zone will be below 5 pg/I due to rapid biodegradation. [S,S]-EDDS exhibits low toxicity to fish and Daphnia ( both EC50s> 1000 mg/l). By contrast, due to limitation of the algal test for chelators apparent toxicity was observed (EC50 = 0.290 mg/l, NOEC - No observable Effect Concentration = 0.125 mg/l). Schowanek et al. [1] demonstrated that this is not toxicity sensu stricto but a chelation effect of trace metals in the test medium and of resulting essential nutrients limitation. This requires specific attention when the results of algal toxicity are to be extrapolated to a field situation to perform realistic risk assessment. Metal speciation calculations, using MINEQL+, show that at the predicted environmental concentrations of [S,S] - EDDS (1–5 μg/l), such a chelation effect would be insignificant. These calculations allow to estimate the NOEC for chelation effects in the field to be in the range of 0.250-0.500 mg/l, depending on the background water chemistry. These values are well above the laboratory NOEC.
An environmental risk assessment was performed using the EUSES (1.0) program. EUSES is currently the EU recommended tool for conducting risk assessments (TGD 1995). It was applied to estimate the river water and soil concentrations from production, formulation and private use life stages. The estimated PEC/PNEC ratio in all relevant environmental compartments is smaller than 1, indicating “no immediate concern” at the anticipated usage level. 相似文献
In this study, an analytical methodology was developed for the determination of psycho-active drugs in the treated effluent of the University Hospital at the Federal University of Santa Maria, RS – Brazil. Samples were collected from point A (Emergency) and point B (General effluent). The adopted methodology included a pre-concentration procedure involving the use of solid phase extraction and determination by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The limit of detection for bromazepam and lorazepam was 4.9 ± 1.0 ng L−1 and, for carbamazepine, clonazepam and diazepam was 6.1 ± 1.5 ng L−1. The limit of quantification was 30.0 ± 1.1 ng L−1, for bromazepam, clonazepam and lorazepam; for carbamazepine was 50.0 ± 1.8 ng L−1 and was 40.0 ± 1.0 ng L−1 for diazepam. The mean concentrations in the Emergency and General effluent treated currents were as follows: for bromazepam, 195 ± 6 ng L−1 and 137 ± 7 ng L−1; for carbamazepine, 590 ± 6 ng L−1 and 461 ± 10 ng L−1; for diazepam, 645 ± 1 ng L−1 and 571 ± 10 ng L−1; for lorazepam, 96 ± 7 ng L−1 and 42 ± 4 ng L−1; and for clonazepam, 134 ± 10 ng L−1 and 57 ± 10 ng L−1. A preliminary risk assessment was conducted: carbamazepine and diazepam require considerable attention owing to their environmental toxicity. The occurrence of these psychoactive-drugs and the environmental risks that they pose demonstrated the need for a more efficient treatment system. As far we are aware, there have been no comparable studies to this on the hazards of hospital effluents in Brazil, and very few that have carried out a risk assessment of psycho-active drugs in hospital effluent in general. 相似文献
Background, aim, and scope The paper describes the spatial contamination of the River Kymijoki, South-Eastern Finland, and the coastal region of the
Gulf of Finland with PCDD/Fs and mercury. The findings of ecotoxicologial and human health studies are also reported, including
environmental and human risk assessments. Sediments from the River Kymijoki, draining into the Gulf of Finland, have been
heavily polluted by the pulp and paper industry and by chemical industries. A wood preservative, known as Ky-5, was manufactured
in the upper reaches of the river between 1940 and 1984 causing severe pollution of river sediments with polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF). Moreover, the sediments have been polluted with mercury (Hg) from chlor-alkali production
and the use of Hg as a slimicide in pulp and paper manufacturing.
Materials and methods An extensive sediment survey was conducted as well as sediment transport modeling, toxicity screening of sediment invertebrates,
and a survey of contaminant bioaccumulation in invertebrates and fish. Studies on human exposure to PCDD/Fs and the possible
effects on hypermineralization of teeth as well as an epidemiological study to reveal increased cancer risk were also conducted.
An assessment of the ecological and human health risks with a null hypothesis (no remediation) was undertaken.
Results The sediment survey revealed severe contamination of river and coastal sediments with PCDD/Fs and Hg. The total volume of
contaminated sediments was estimated to reach 5 × 106 m3 and hot spots with extremely high concentrations (max 292,000 ng g−1 or 1,060 ng I-TEQ g−1 d.w.) were located immediately downstream from the pollution source (approximately 90,000 m3). Sediment contamination was accompanied by changes in benthic assemblages, but direct effects were masked by many factors.
The fish showed only slightly elevated PCDD/F levels in muscle, but orders of magnitude higher in the liver compared with
reference freshwater sites and the Baltic Sea. The concentrations in human fat did not reveal high human exposure in the Kymijoki
area in general and was lower than in sea fishermen. The relative risk for total cancer among farmers was marginally higher
(RR = 1.13) among those living close to the river, compared with farmers living further away, and the possibility of increased
cancer risk cannot be ruled out. A conservative risk assessment revealed that the present probability of exceeding the WHO
upper exposure limit of 4 pg WHO-TEQ kg−1 d−1 for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs was 6%. The probability of exceeding the WHO limit value of 0.23 μg kg−1 d−1 for methyl mercury was estimated to be notably higher at 62%. Based on these studies and the estimated risks connected with
different remediation techniques a general remediation plan with cost benefit analysis was generated for several sub-regions
in the river. Dredging, on-site treatment, and a close disposal of the most contaminated sediments (90,000 m3) was suggested as the first phase of the remediation. The decision regarding the start of remediation will be made during
autumn 2008.
Conclusions The sediments in the River Kymijoki are heavily polluted with PCDD/Fs and mercury from earlier chlorophenol, chlor-alkali,
and pulp and paper manufacturing. A continuous transport of contaminants is taking place to the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic
Sea. The highly increased PCDD/F and Hg levels in river sediments pose an ecotoxicological risk to benthic fauna, to fish-eating
predators and probably to human health. The risks posed by mercury exceed those from PCDD/Fs and need to be evaluated for
(former) chlor-alkali sites and other mercury releasing industries as one basis for remediation decision making.
Recommendations and perspectives The studies form the basis of a risk management strategy and a plan for possible remediation of contaminated sediments currently
under consideration in the Southeast Finland Regional Environment Centre. It is recommended that a detailed restoration plan
for the most seriously contaminated areas should be undertaken. Based on current knowledge, the restoration of the whole river
is not feasible, considering the current risk caused by the contaminated sediment in the river and the costs of an extensive
restoration project. The experiences gained in the present case should be utilized in the evaluation of PCDD/F- and mercury-contaminated
sites in other countries. The case demonstrates that the historic reservoirs are of contemporary relevance and should be addressed,
e.g., in the national implementation plans of the Stockholm Convention.
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. 相似文献