Effects of inorganic lead on Western fence lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis)

Although anthropogenic pollutants are thought to threaten reptilian species, there are few toxicity studies on reptiles. We evaluated the toxicity of Pb as lead acetate to the Western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis). The acute lethal dose and sub-acute (14-day) toxicity studies were used to narrow exposure concentrations for a sub-chronic (60-day) study. In the sub-chronic study, adult and juvenile male lizards were dosed via gavage with 0, 1, 10 and 20 mg Pb/kg-bw/day. Mortality was limited and occurred only at the highest dose (20 mg Pb/kg-bw/d). There were statistically significant sub-lethal effects of 10 and 20 mg Pb/kg-bw/d on body weight, cricket consumption, organ weight, hematological parameters and post-dose behaviors. Of these, Pb-induced changes in body weight are most useful for ecological risk assessment because it is linked to fitness in wild lizard populations. The Western fence lizard is a useful model for reptilian toxicity studies.     

钼矿区土壤中重金属污染状况的分析与评价

对葫芦岛钼矿区土壤重金属污染的情况进行了详细研究。选择土壤样本80个,采用HNO3-HF-HClO4混酸对土壤样品进行处理,运用等离子体发射光谱仪(ICP-OES)测定土壤样品中Pb、As、Hg、Cr、Cd、Zn、Cu、Ni、Mo的含量,全面系统地评价土壤重金属污染现状。结果表明,该矿区土壤重金属As、Cd和Hg污染较为严重,平均含量分别达154.13mg/kg,74.92mg/kg和3.06mg/kg。不同片区间存在明显差别,污染强度以矿山山沿污染最高,其次是运输区、选矿厂及矿区附近山地,内梅罗综合指数分别为78.34、74.34、71.42、68.55。     

聚合氯化铝与有机高分子复合絮凝剂的形态分布研究--Al-Ferron和27Al-NMR相结合

主要研究了Al Ferron逐时络合比色法和2 7Al NMR法应用于聚合铝与有机高分子复合絮凝剂形态分布的测定 .结果表明 ,两种方法分别测定的Alb 和Al13 的结果具有一定的相关性 ;聚合铝与有机高分子复合后其形态分布发生了一定的变化 ,Alb(或Al13 )的含量有所降低 ,但仍是优势形态 ,Ala(或Al单)的含量基本保持不变 .     

Green liquor dregs as an alternative neutralizing agent at a pulp mill

Green liquor dregs is the biggest waste fraction at sulphate pulp mills. It is commonly landfilled. Here we demonstrate that the utilization of green liquor dregs as a neutralizing agent for acidic wastewaters is a potential alternative and an environmentally friendly method in contrast to its landfill disposal. The liming effect value of 39.6% for green liquor dregs, expressed as Ca equivalent, is similar to the liming effect value of 38% of a commercial limestone product. In addition, the pH value of 10.7 indicates a strong liming effect.     

Biogeochemical cycling of metals impacting by microbial mobilization and immobilization

Microbial mobilization and immobilization processes can affect the bioavailability and mobility of metals thereby influencing their toxicity and can therefore be utilized to treat solid and liquid wastes contaminated by metals. However, the microbial mobilization and immobilization of metals depends on the microbial metabolism, the environment conditions. In this review, mobilization and immobilization of metals are discussed with regard to the presence and function of involved microorganisms and in relation to applications such as bioleaching. Furthermore, the biosorption process is evaluated as a possible approach for microbial immobilization of metal on the basis of four mechanisms:(1) physical adsorption,(2) ion exchange,(3) complexation, and(4) microprecipitation. In addition, sulfide precipitation by sulfate reducing bacteria was included as an example of an application of microbial immobilization. Based on the evaluation and recommendations in this paper, bioremediation strategies for metals can be improved thus increasing the opportunity for field applications.     

Assessing the bioremediation potential of arsenic tolerant bacterial strains in rice rhizosphere interface

The arsenic tolerant bacterial strains Staphylococcus arlettae(NBRIEAG-6), Staphylococcus sp.(NBRIEAG-8) and Brevibacillus sp.(NBRIEAG-9) were tested for their roles in enhancing plant growth and induction of stress-related enzymes in rice(Oryza sativa L. cv. NDR-359) plants at two different concentrations, 30 and 15 mg/kg of As(V) and As(III), respectively. An experiment was conducted to test the effect of these strains on plant growth promotion and arsenic uptake. We found 30%–40% reduction in total As uptake in bacteria-inoculated plants, with increased plant growth parameters compared to non-inoculated plants. Moreover, the bacteria-inoculated plants showed reduced activity of total glutathione(GSH) and glutathione reductase(GR) compared to their respective controls, which suggests the bacteria-mediated reduction of oxidative stress in plants. Thus, these strains were found to be beneficial in terms of the biochemical and physiological status of the plants under arsenic stress conditions.Furthermore, one-way ANOVA and principal component analysis(PCA) on enzymatic and non-enzymatic assays also revealed clear variations. The results support the distinction between control and treatments in both shoots and roots. Therefore, this study demonstrates the potential of rhizobacteria in alleviating arsenic stress in rice plants.     

Integrating geochemical (surface waters, stream sediments) and biological (diatoms) approaches to assess AMD environmental impact in a pyritic mining area: Aljustrel (Alentejo, Portugal)

Aljustrel mines were classified as having high environmental hazard due to their large tailings volume and high metal concentrations in waters and sediments.To assess acid mine drainage impacted systems whose environmental conditions change quickly,the use of biological indicators with short generation time such as diatoms is advantageous.This study combined geochemical and diatom data,whose results were highlighted in 3 groups:Group 1,with low p H(1.9–5.1)and high metal/metalloid(Al,As,Cd,Co,Cu,Fe,Mn,Ni,Pb,Zn;0.65–1032 mg/L)and SO_4(405–39124 mg/L)concentrations.An acidophilic species,Pinnularia aljustrelica,was perfectly adapted to the adverse conditions;in contrast,teratological forms of Eunotia exigua were found,showing that metal toxicity affected this species.The low availability of metals/metalloids in sediments of this group indicates that metals/metalloids of the exchangeable fractions had been solubilized,which in fact enables metal/metalloid diatom uptake and consequently the occurrence of teratologies;Group 2,with sites of near neutral p H(5.0–6.8)and intermediate metal/metalloid(0.002–6 mg/L)and SO_4(302–2179 mg/L)concentrations;this enabled the existence of typical species of uncontaminated streams(Brachysira neglectissima,Achnanthidium minutissimum);Group 3,with samples from unimpacted sites,showing low metal/metalloid(0–0.8 mg/L)and SO_4(10–315 mg/L)concentrations,high pH(7.0–8.4)and Cl contents(10–2119 mg/L)and the presence of brackish to marine species(Entomoneis paludosa).For similar conditions of acidity,differences in diversity,abundance and teratologies of diatoms can be explained by the levels of metals/metalloids.     

Rapid and long-effective removal of broad-spectrum pollutants from aqueous system by ZVI/oxidants

• The coupling of oxidants with ZVI overcome the impedance of ZVI passive layer. • ZVI/oxidants system achieved fast and long-effective removal of contaminants. • Multiple mechanisms are involved in contaminants removal by ZVI/oxidant system. • ZVI/Oxidants did not change the reducing property of ORP in the fixed-bed system. Zero-valent iron (ZVI) technology has recently gained significant interest in the efficient sequestration of a wide variety of contaminants. However, surface passivation of ZVI because of its intrinsic passive layer would lead to the inferior reactivity of ZVI and its lower efficacy in contaminant removal. Therefore, to activate the ZVI surface cheaply, continuously, and efficiently is an important challenge that ZVI technology must overcome before its wide-scale application. To date, several physical and chemical approaches have been extensively applied to increase the reactivity of the ZVI surface toward the elimination of broad-spectrum pollutants. Nevertheless, these techniques have several limitations such as low efficacy, narrow working pH, eco-toxicity, and high installation cost. The objective of this mini-review paper is to identify the critical role of oxygen in determining the reactivity of ZVI toward contaminant removal. Subsequently, the effect of three typical oxidants (H₂O₂, KMnO₄, and NaClO) on broad-spectrum contaminants removal by ZVI has been documented and discussed. The reaction mechanism and sequestration efficacies of the ZVI/oxidant system were evaluated and reviewed. The technical basis of the ZVI/oxidant approach is based on the half-reaction of the cathodic reduction of the oxidants. The oxidants commonly used in the water treatment industry, i.e., NaClO, O₃, and H₂O₂, can be served as an ideal coupling electron receptor. With the combination of these oxidants, the surface corrosion of ZVI can be continuously driven. The ZVI/oxidants technology has been compared with other conventional technologies and conclusions have been drawn.     

Seasonal changes of metal accumulation and distribution in shining pondweed (Potamogeton lucens)

In this study, submerged aquatic plant Potamogeton lucens, corresponding sediment and water samples were seasonally collected from Lake Sapanca (Turkey) and analysed for their heavy metal contents (Pb, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn and Cd). While heavy metals concentrations in the water samples were decreased as Zn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Mn > Cu > Cd, in sediment samples were Mn > Zn > Ni > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd, respectively. Generally, heavy metals concentrations in the plant tissues were decreased in sequence of Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cd. It was determined that Cu, Mn and Zn were actively transported to the root, where they were accumulated especially in autumn. Lower accumulation factor ratios were seen in spring than other seasons. Cd exhibited a relatively clear pattern of increasing accumulation in P. lucens with increasing sediment metal concentrations. Significant positive correlations were observed between Cr, Cu, Ni and Cd contents in sediment and Cd contents in root of P. lucens. The investigations suggested that Ni and Mn have a tendency to be accumulated in leaf especially in autumn and Cr and Cd to be accumulated in shoot especially in summer.     

Analysis of chemical contamination within a canal in a Mexican border colonia

This study examines urban pollution within Derechos Humanos, a colonia popular in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. General water quality indicators (coliform bacteria, total dissolved solids, ecologically relevant cations and anions), heavy metals (copper, lead, nickel, zinc, iron and cadmium), and volatile organic compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, styrene, and dichlorobenzene and xylene isomers) were quantified within a wastewater canal running adjacent to the community. Water samples were collected at multiple sites along the banks of the canal and evidence of anthropogenic emissions existed at each sampling location. Sample site 2, approximately 10 m upstream of the colonia, contained both the widest range of hazardous pollutants and the greatest number exceeding US Environmental Protection Agency surface water standards. At each sampling location, high concentrations of total coliform (> 10(4) colonies/100 mL sample), lead (ranging from 0.05 to 0.40 mg/L), nickel (levels from 0.21 to 1.45 mg/L), and benzene (up to 9.80 mg/L) were noted.