Inhalation of two putative Gulf War toxins by mice

We employed our inhalation methodology to examine whether biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress would be produced in mice following inhalation of aerosols containing carbonaceous particles or the vapor of pesticides prevalent during the first Gulf War. Exposure to two putative Gulf War Illness toxins, fine airborne particles and the pesticide malathion, increased biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in Friend virus B (FVB) female mice. Mice inhaling particles 24 h before had increased lung lavage and plasma Leukotriene B4 (LTB₄) (a biomarker of inflammation) and PGF_2α (a biomarker of oxidative stress) levels, lung lavage protein and lung lavage lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. These changes were a function of particle density and exposure time. Compared to particle inhalation, mice inhaling malathion 24 h before had small increase in plasma LTB₄ and PGF_2α levels but no increase in lung lavage LTB₄, lung lavage protein, lung lavage LDH, and lung lavage alveolar macrophage (AM) levels compared to unexposed control mice. AM from particle-exposed mice contained phagocytosed particles, while AM from malathion-exposed mice showed no abnormalities. Our results indicate that inhaling particles or malathion can alter inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers in mice and raise the possibility that these toxins may have altered inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers in Gulf War-exposed individuals.     

LC–ICP–MS analysis of arsenic compounds in dominant seaweeds from the Thermaikos Gulf (Northern Aegean Sea,Greece)

The content of total arsenic and arsenic compounds in the dominant seaweed species in the Thermaikos Gulf, Northern Aegean Sea was determined in samples collected in different seasons. Total arsenic was determined by acid digestion followed by ICP–MS. Arsenic speciation was analyzed by water extraction followed by LC–ICP–MS. Total arsenic concentrations in the seaweeds ranged from 1.39 to 55.0 mg kg⁻¹. Cystoseira species and Codium fragile showed the highest total As contents, while Ulva species (U. intestinalis, U. rigida,U. fasciata) had the lowest Arsenosugars, the most common arsenic species in seaweeds, were found in all samples, and glycerol-arsenosugar was the most common form; however, phosphate-arsenosugar and sulfate-arsenosugar were also present. Inorganic arsenic was measured in seven algae species and detected in another. Arsenate was the most abundant species in Cystoseira barbata (27.0 mg kg⁻¹). Arsenobetaine was measured in only one sample. Methylated arsenic species were measured at very low concentrations. The information should contribute to further understanding the presence of arsenic compounds in dominant seaweeds from the Thermaikos Gulf.     

The Growing Need for Sustainable Ecological Management of Marine Communities of the Persian Gulf

The Persian Gulf is a semi-enclosed marine system surrounded by eight countries, many of which are experiencing substantial development. It is also a major center for the oil industry. The increasing array of anthropogenic disturbances may have substantial negative impacts on marine ecosystems, but this has received little attention until recently. We review the available literature on the Gulfs marine environment and detail our recent experience in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) to evaluate the role of anthropogenic disturbance in this marine ecosystem. Extensive coastal development may now be the single most important anthropogenic stressor. We offer suggestions for how to build awareness of environmental risks of current practices, enhance regional capacity for coastal management, and build cooperative management of this important, shared marine system. An excellent opportunity exists for one or more of the bordering countries to initiate a bold and effective, long-term, international collaboration in environmental management for the Gulf.     

PBDEs in serum and blubber of harbor, grey and harp seal pups from Eastern Canada

Serum and blubber of pup harbor (Phoca vitulina), grey (Halichoerus grypus) and harp (Phoca groenlandica) seals from the Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence were analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Concentrations of ∑PBDEs (on lipid weight basis) in tissues of harbor seal pups inhabiting the St. Lawrence Estuary were about five times higher than in those from a colony located in the northern Gulf. Harp seal pups have the lowest levels of ∑PBDEs among the seal species born in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Lipid normalized concentrations of ∑PBDEs in serum and blubber were strongly correlated, suggesting that the blood collection as a less invasive method could be used to monitor ∑PBDEs in pups. This study shows that fluvial inputs of PBDEs are important to the St. Lawrence marine ecosystem and that inhabiting harbor seal pups have a substantial exposure to PBDEs at a critical developmental stage. In addition, the observed difference in PBDE levels between harp and grey or harbor seal pups from the Gulf of St. Lawrence is explained by the difference in diets of their mothers which is linked with their residency time in the Gulf and their seasonal migration pattern.     

Tools for Groundwater Protection Planning: An Example from McHenry County, Illinois, USA

/ This paper presents an approach for producing aquifer sensitivity maps from three-dimensional geologic maps, called stack-unit maps. Stack-unit maps depict the succession of geologic materials to a given depth, and aquifer sensitivity maps interpret the successions according totheir ability to transmit potential contaminants. Using McHenry County, Illinois, as a case study, stack-unit maps and an aquifer sensitivity assessment were made to help land-use planners, public health officials, consultants, developers, and the public make informed decisions regarding land use. A map of aquifer sensitivity is important for planning because the county is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation, and highly vulnerable sand and gravel aquifers occur within 6 m of ground surface over 75% of its area. The aquifer sensitivity map can provide guidance to regulators seeking optimal protection of groundwater resources where these resources are particularly vulnerable. In addition, the map can be used to help officials direct waste-disposal and industrial facilities and other sensitive land-use practices to areas where the least damage is likely to occur, thereby reducing potential future liabilities. KEY WORDS: Geologic mapping; Groundwater; Aquifers; Aquifer sensitivity; Land-use planning     

Distribution,levels, and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the soot of some kitchens in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana

The effect of using firewood for cooking, baking, and heating in poorly ventilated kitchens on the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in kitchen soot in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana has been studied. The kitchens in Ghana, especially those in the rural areas, are simple clay hut structures with small doors. The kitchens have little or no openings for ventilation and, as a result, the cook is exposed directly to high doses of smoke containing different compounds including PAH. In this study, a total of 42 soot samples were collected for 6 weeks from seven kitchens and analyzed using gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection (GC/FID). The average PAH concentration in the kitchen soot samples ranged from 0.7 to 445 µg kg^?1. The unit risk of PAH associated with the dermal contact/inhalation of the kitchen soot occurred at 7.4 × 10^?3 in children and at 4.8 × 10^?5 in the adults, showing the impact. However, the high level of PAH measured in this work especially that of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) may cause cancer in the women who are exposed to the smoke. The study was therefore designed to find out the level of PAH in kitchen soot and their contributions as the monitoring tools in the assessment of risks and hazards of PAH in Ghana.     

曼谷湾沉积物重金属元素的富集效应与生物有效性

2010年在曼谷湾(泰国湾北部)及其北部主要河口(湄干河、拉塞河、湄南河和邦巴功河)采集了46个表层沉积物样品,分析了样品中重金属元素(Cd、Co、Cu、Pb、Zn)的含量水平,并用Al均一化数据,获得消除了粒度效应的重金属地球化学特征.利用1mol/L的HCl对该区沉积物进行了处理,通过分析沉积物重金属在酸溶相和残渣相的分布,揭示其生物有效性.结果表明,曼谷湾周边河流沉积物中重金属元素含量明显高于曼谷湾;曼谷湾沉积物中重金属(Co、Cu、Pb、Zn)从北向南随着离岸距离的增加而增加,Cd没有明显分布规律;地累积指数显示Cd和Pb存在显著的地球化学富集特征.Cd和Pb在酸溶相中的比例相对较高,表明其生物有效性较高,易引发二次污染.     

The influence of hydrodynamic processes on zooplankton transport and distributions in the North Western Mediterranean: Estimates from a Lagrangian model

A Lagrangian module has been developed and coupled with the 3D circulation model Symphonie to study the influence of hydrodynamic processes on zooplankton transport and distributions in the North Western Mediterranean (NWM). Individuals are released every 3 days from March to August 2001 in two initial areas: around the DYFAMED sampling station in the central Ligurian Sea and in the Rhône river plume. Then the individuals are tracked for 40 days either as passive particles or with a simple diel vertical migration (DVM) pattern. The simulations suggest strong seasonal patterns in the distributions of the individuals released around the DYFAMED sampling station. Individuals spread all over the NWM basin after 40 days but different patterns occur depending on the season, the initial depths of release and the capacity of DVM. Offshore-shelf transport only occurs in April and May with particles ending up in the Gulf of Lions (GoL) in low concentrations. In other months, the Northern Current (NC) can be considered as a barrier for particles entering the GoL from the offshore sea. A quarter to a half of passive individuals released in the Rhône river plume remain in the GoL. The rest is transported by the NC towards the Catalan Sea. Applying a simple DVM scheme does not increase the retention of particles on the shelf.     

The impact of the Gulf crisis on Qatar's humanitarian sector

The 2017 Gulf crisis is one of the most challenging episodes faced by Qatar since its independence in 1971, with major economic, social, and political impacts on the Arab Gulf nation. Its economic prognosis has been brought into doubt, the map of regional alliances has been redrawn, and any prospects of deeper regional integration have been dashed. This paper analyses the little-documented impact of the crisis on Qatar's humanitarian sector, which has unfolded as the small, gas-rich emirate has striven to become a major humanitarian donor. It concludes that while there have been disruptions to humanitarian operations and regional coordination, the Gulf crisis has triggered and in some cases accelerated already intended reforms across the Qatari humanitarian sector. In the long term, the reorganisation and adaptation implemented to weather the storm of the crisis may help Qatar to emerge from the crisis with a more sustainable and resilient humanitarian sector.     

Remediating Over-Produced and Contaminated Aquifers by Artificial Recharge from Surface Waters

Recharging from open-surface water resources is investigated as a method for remediation of over-produced and contaminated aquifers. The hydraulic and contaminant modeling using the Modflow-2000 and MT3DMS simulation software are resorted for evaluation of the available options. Methodology is developed and illustrated for reviewing the alternative remediation approaches for optimal selection of the best remediation approach to aquifer recharging from surface waters. The effectiveness of the present systematic approach is demonstrated by identifying the best choice among the multifunctional artificial recharge options available for the Great Forest Park in Debrecen, Hungary.