Application of multivariate statistical approach to identify element sources in parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

The aim of this study was to determine the content of elements in the parsley roots (Petroselinum crispum) of different geographic origin and estimate their possible sources applying chemometric analysis. The concentrations of 13 elements in parsley collected at 12 locations in five districts were examined. Cluster analysis (CA) separated elements into three statistical significant clusters: metalloids, heavy, and essential metals. Principal component analysis (PCA) permitted the reduction of 13 variables to three principal components explaining 82.3% of the total variance. The first component with 48.2% of variance comprises Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn, and Co. Some of these metals are essential in low concentrations and their presence in plants is of lithogenic origin. Multivariate statistical analysis approach, such as PCA and CA can be used to assess the level of elements in vegetables. These methods can be used to identify sources of elements in plants too.     

岩溶地下河系统多介质中多环芳烃污染特征及来源解析

为了确定岩溶地下河系统内不同环境介质中多环芳烃(PAHs)的污染特征及来源,选择典型的清水泉地下河为研究对象,采用2013~2014年同期采集的空气、地下河水、沉积物和土壤样品测试数据,运用16种多环芳烃(PAHs)的成分谱、分布特征和特征比值,结合其物理化学性质进行对比分析.结果表明,空气和地下河水以萘(Nap)、菲(Phe)和荧蒽(Fl A)这3种2~3环PAHs为主,其中空气的2~3环PAHs比例为71.66%,地下河水的2~3环PAHs比例为54.84%,而沉积物和土壤以4~6环PAHs为主,其中沉积物的4~6环PAHs比例为54.26%,土壤的4~6环PAHs比例为65.06%;环境介质中PAHs的浓度变化表明上游小于中游,中游小于下游,这与污染源排放、吸附作用等相关;PAHs来源解析表明,上游乡村地区PAHs来源以草、木、煤燃烧源为主,敢怀村天窗附近显示为石油源,地下河出口处PAHs来源则以石油源和燃烧源的混合源为主.     

The evaluation of an analytical protocol for the determination of substances in waste for hazard classification

The classification of waste as hazardous could soon be assessed in Europe using largely the hazard properties of its constituents, according to the the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) regulation. Comprehensive knowledge of the component constituents of a given waste will therefore be necessary. An analytical protocol for determining waste composition is proposed, which includes using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) screening methods to identify major elements and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS) screening techniques to measure organic compounds. The method includes a gross or indicator measure of ‘pools’ of higher molecular weight organic substances that are taken to be less bioactive and less hazardous, and of unresolved ‘mass’ during the chromatography of volatile and semi-volatile compounds. The concentration of some elements and specific compounds that are linked to specific hazard properties and are subject to specific regulation (examples include: heavy metals, chromium(VI), cyanides, organo-halogens, and PCBs) are determined by classical quantitative analysis. To check the consistency of the analysis, the sum of the concentrations (including unresolved ‘pools’) should give a mass balance between 90% and 110%. Thirty-two laboratory samples comprising different industrial wastes (liquids and solids) were tested by two routine service laboratories, to give circa 7000 parameter results. Despite discrepancies in some parameters, a satisfactory sum of estimated or measured concentrations (analytical balance) of 90% was reached for 20 samples (63% of the overall total) during this first test exercise, with identified reasons for most of the unsatisfactory results. Regular use of this protocol (which is now included in the French legislation) has enabled service laboratories to reach a 90% mass balance for nearly all the solid samples tested, and most of liquid samples (difficulties were caused in some samples from polymers in solution and vegetable oil). The protocol is submitted to French and European normalization bodies (AFNOR and CEN) and further improvements are awaited.     

Cobalt induced changes in immune response and adenosine triphosphatase activities in rats

Abstract

The immuno‐biochemical effects of cobaltous chloride in rats receiving iron‐sufficient and deficient diets were investigated. Rats receiving 100 ppm or more cobalt showed a significant reduction in thymus and body weights along with a marked decrease in hemoglobin, hematocrit, sheep agglutinins and plaque forming cells. These effects were more pronounced in rats receiving cobalt mixed with iron‐deficient diet than those fed on iron‐sufficient diet. The Na⁺‐K⁺ and mitochondrial (Oligomycin‐sensitive) Mg²+ATPase activities in brain and liver of rats fed with iron‐deficient diets were decreased significantly. However, the ATPase activities in these tissues from rats fed with cobalt mixed with iron‐sufficient diets were not altered.     

进一步保持和发扬我党的“真正优势”

本文在全面论述邓小平同志关于“共同的理想”和“铁的纪律”是我党“真正优势”光辉论断的基础上，指出目前我们在保持和发扬“真正优势”方面存在的不足，并认为中国共产党要顺利解决“两大历史性课题”，必须进一步保持和发扬自己的“真正优势”。     

铁水包底粘铁所引发的一起重伤事故分析

介绍了一起铁水包底粘铁所引发的事故经过,进行了事故原因分析,指出了事故教训和预防措施。     

Specific Features of the Population Ecology of Creeping Thistle, Cirsium arvense(L.) Scop. s. l.

Two populations of creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) growing in a field uncultivated for many years and on the sloping bank of an artificial pond were studied with respect to the demographic and chemical composition. The results showed that the contents of some elements in plants depend on specific features of the soil and plant population parameters (abundance, biomass, and ontogenetic composition). Some indices of the content of mineral substances in the population and soil proved to be difficult to interpret unambiguously.     

The steel industry, abiotic resource depletion and life cycle assessment: a real or perceived issue?

Time and again, there has been a hue and a cry that the world is running out of natural resources and the most prominent among those is the famous study entitled ‘The Limits to Growth’ by the ‘Club of Rome’. Since then the fear of scarcity of abiotic resources has been challenging human societies around the globe, particularly the research community. In this paper we will examine the case of the steel industry to argue how and why mineral resources depletion is an issue that needs to be addressed through life cycle assessment in more detail. This paper shows that a more comprehensive understanding about the current production trends of iron ore and steel, which also requires several vital metals such as copper, manganese, nickel and so on, can provide useful insights in assessing the potential future threat of shortages due to depletion of abiotic mineral resources.     

Influence of several fungicides on the antioxidant activity of red wines (var. Monastrell)

The antioxidant activity of wines obtained from grapes treated with six fungicides (famoxadone, fenhexamid, fluquinconazole, kresoxim-methyl, quinoxyfen and trifloxystrobin) was investigated. Two field trials in triplicate were carried out for each formulation of the fungicide at the recommended dose of the manufacturer. The first trial was carried out under good agricultural practices (GAP), following the recommended pre-harvest interval, and the second one under critical agricultural practices (CAP) that involves treating the same field just before the harvest. The residue levels were determined by gas and liquid chromatography coupled to mass detectors (GC-MS and LC-MS). The antioxidant activity was determined in the wines obtained from the thirteen trials including one control, six from treated grapes obeying the pre-harvest interval, and six from grapes treated at the day of harvest or at most unfavorable conditions. Elimination of 40–100% of the initial fungicide residues present in grapes was observed during the wine-making process. It can be inferred from the results that the use of these fungicides did not produce any decrease of the antioxidant activity in the wines (7.19 ± 0.22 mmol Trolox/L for the blank wine versus a range of 6.45 ± 0.82 mmol Trolox/L to 10.06 ± 0.59 mmol Trolox/L for the treated wines) at the pre-harvest interval and most unfavorable conditions. Nevertheless, the presence of famoxadone, kresoxim-methyl and quinoxyfen increased the antioxidant activity and this was directly related to their residue levels in the grapes. Also, the wine phenolic composition was altered in variable intensity by the presence of the fungicide residues.     

Predation risk and the number of adult males in a primate group: a comparative test

The number of adult males in a bisexual primate group is thought to be determined mainly by the defensibility of mating access to the females. However, among primates, small groups sometimes contain several adult male. We evaluate the hypothesis that high predation risk may lead to greater male representation in primate groups, independent of the effect of group size. Male primates are known to be more vigilant than females, and may also be better at detecting potential predators. A comparative test was done using arboreal folivores in three continents, howler monkeys in the Neotropics, colobus monkeys in Africa and langurs in South and Southeast Asia. Howlers and colobus are exposed to predation by large monkey-eating eagles, whereas the langurs are not. We conducted regression analyses on group composition data of single populations and on mean group compositions among populations, and found that the arboreal langurs basically live in groups with only a single adult males whereas groups of howler and colobus monkeys of comparable size have multiple adult males (Fig. 3). Thus, the hypothesis was supported. Several alternative hypotheses do not account for this pattern.