Metals contamination in the foraging area of Milky Stork: evidence of anthropogenic inputs in the aquatic environment of Kuala Gula,Malaysia

The rapid decline of the wild Milky Stork population in Malaysia has led to the reintroduction of the captive bred species in Kuala Gula, Perak. The area is known as an important migratory stopover and sanctuary for both visitors and resident birds. Although Kuala Gula and its adjacent areas are regarded as pristine and unpolluted, recent study suggested that accumulation of certain pollutants is occurring in the aquatic environment of the area. Surface sediment samples from five foraging areas considered important to the reintroduced Milky Storks have been analyzed for metals contamination. The results show that elevations of Cu, Zn, and Pb ranging from 9.7 to 57 mg kg^?1, 71 to 120 mg kg^?1, and 28 to 47 mg kg^?1 have occurred, except for Cd (0.9–1.7 mg kg^?1). The accumulation of these metals is site-specific which reflects continuous anthropogenic inputs into the aquatic environment of Kuala Gula. In addition, metal levels in some areas have exceeded the effects range low values, and thus urgent action is needed to ensure good practice and sustainable management of Kuala Gula by responsible parties.     

Synthesis and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of novel benzo[d] imidazolyl dihydrospiro[indoline-3,1′-isoindole]-2,4′,7′-triones

Synthesis of novel benzo[d]imidazolyldihydrospiro[indoline-3,1′-isoindole]-2,4′,7′-triones has been described. The key intermediate 2-[(2-sulfanyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl)amino]acetic acid is obtained by reacting 5-amino-2-mercapto benzimidazole and chloroacetic acid. The three-component reaction of 2-[(2-sulfanyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl)amino]acetic acid with isatin and 1,4-benzoquinone in the presence of 10 mol% of L-proline at ambient temperature afforded 2′-(2-mercapto-1H-benzo [d] imidazol-5-yl)-3′,3a′-dihydrospiro[indoline-3,1′-isoindole]-2,4′,7′(2′H,7a′H)-triones. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for in vitro anti-inflammatory activity.     

浸没式膜生物反应器中生物质的增殖及其对运行效能的影响

研究了浸没式膜生物反应器(sMBR)中生物质的增殖过程及其对反应器运行效能的影响.采用可编程逻辑控制器(PLC)对sMBR实现过程控制,在不排泥的情况下运行20~40d,生物质浓度达到9670mg/L,出水的各项指标达到最佳,但随着生物质的继续增殖,污泥表观黏度急剧增加,引起F/M的降低和传质困难,最终导致污泥活性降低及出水效果恶化.表观黏度与MLSS、EPS的增长趋势一致,表明这2个因素与活性污泥的表观黏度有着密切关系.采用SEM/EDS方法对不同阶段膜表面进行了观察及表面元素分析,结果表明膜表层污染物中有机物占主要部分,无机成分所占比例较小.     

杭州市区机动车污染物排放特征及分担率

选取杭州市区绕城高速、快速路、主干道和民用支路4种典型道路进行工况测试,建立了2010年机动车CO、HC、NOx和PM10排放清单,获得了分车型、燃料类型、排放标准以及道路类型的机动车污染物排放分担率.结果表明,杭州市机动车的污染物排放分担率差别显著,乘用车、出租车和公交车是CO和HC排放的主要来源,重型货车和公交车是NOx和PM10排放的主要来源,且乘用车的NOx排放分担率也较大;柴油车的NOx和PM10的排放分担率远大于其保有量的贡献率,是其排放的主要来源,汽油车是CO和HC排放的主要来源;占保有量30%的国0和国I车辆,对CO、HC、NOx和PM10排放分担率分别为67%、69%、58%和82%;主干道是机动车CO、HC和NOx排放的主要来源,其排放分担率分别为66%、65%和64%,民用支路是PM10排放的主要来源,分担率为55%.     

1981~2010年深圳市不同等级霾天气特征分析

利用1981~2010年深圳市地面观测及空气质量监测资料,分析深圳不同等级霾天气的长期变化特征以及大气水平能见度、空气质量与霾的关系.结果表明:深圳霾日数总体呈增多趋势,强度增强,中度以上霾增多;各等级霾日数均呈增多态势,但不同等级霾日占年总霾日的比例变化趋势不同,轻微霾所占比例下降,轻度以上霾上升; 霾天气呈现冬季>秋季>春季>夏季的季节特征,但重度霾却是夏季最多; 霾导致大气水平能见度明显下降,霾日平均能见度较非霾日低6~7km,霾等级越高,能见度下降越明显,霾日能见度日变化幅度较非霾日小;霾日SO2、NO2浓度为非霾日的1.4~1.7倍,PM10是非霾日的2.2倍,大气颗粒物污染加剧可能是深圳能见度恶化、霾天气增多的一个重要原因;针对荔香站霾日SO2浓度日变化不明显,PM10 、NO2浓度呈双峰型分布,与上下班时段吻合,说明机动车的增加也是深圳霾天气增多的主因之一;霾等级越高,空气中PM10、SO2、NO2的浓度越高,从轻微到重度霾各级之间SO2、NO2和PM10浓度增幅大都在15%~20%.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments held in experimental mesocosms

Sediment was collected from three locations along a pollution gradient in Narragansett Bay and transplanted to controlled mesocosms. Total hydrocarbons and eleven individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in these sediments over a period of 394 days. Total hydrocarbon concentrations increased in the “relatively uncontaminated”; (Rhode Island Sound) sediment that was held in the mesocosms, but did not change in the two other sediments. The concentrations of four PAHs: naphthalene, 2‐methyl naphthalene, 1‐methyl naphthalene and biphenyl, decreased in the “contaminated”; (Providence River) sediment during the experiment and the calculated half‐lives for these compounds were 287, 353, 321 and 333 days, respectively.     

The interethnic differences of the human serum paraoxonase polymorphism analysed by a quantitative and a qualitative method †

The polymorphism of the human serum paraoxonase¹ was analyzed by two distinguished methods in six different ethnic groups (Caucasians, Mongoloids, Negroids), using (1) the Computer Method² and (2) the Carro‐Ciampi Method³‘⁴. Analysis of the response of the enzyme activities to salts resulting in low and high activity ratios.

Comparison of the results:

In Caucasians we distinguished three phenotypes by the Computer method. The polymorphism was governed by two alleles. The Hardy‐Weinberg rule for a two‐allele model was valid. Individuals belonging to the homozygotic group with low activity had a low activity ratio (Carro‐Ciampi method). With both methods a frequency between 57% and 61% was observed for this group. Individuals with medium and high activity had a high activity ratio.

In Negroids and Mongoloids samples we found (by the Computer method) a low activity group (Ghanaians 9.6%, Jamaicans 13.6%, Indonesians 6.7%, Koreans 19.6%). The Hardy‐Weinberg rule for a two‐ or three‐allele model was not valid. Individuals belonging to the low activity group had a low activity ratio, all individuals with higher activity a high activity ratio (Carro‐Ciampi method).

Our results suggest that the members of the low activity group in the three races are homozygote for an identical allele.     

Aliphatic and aromatic halocarbons as potential mutagens in drinking water

Chlorinated phenols are either products of industrial chemical processes or the result of chlorination of drinking water. Often, the formation of chlorinated phenols is based upon naturally occurring phenol. The following chlorinated phenols have been selected for testing in the Ames‐test for their mutagenic activity: 3‐chlorophenol, 4‐chlorophenol, 2,3,6‐, 2,4,5‐, 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol, 4‐chloro‐2‐methylphenol and 4‐chloro‐3‐methylchlorophenol. The tester strains TA97, TA98, TA100 and TA104 were employed. All tested compounds produced mutagenic activity at least in one tester strain. The highest numbers of revertants were detected for 2,3,6‐ and 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol. But in contrast to the other substances, these two induced only frameshift mutations in presence of a metabolizing system. The evidence of their presence in drinking water and of their mutagenic activity makes them to a potential health hazard.     

Sea water quality monitoring in Rhodes and Cos (Greece)

During the years 1983–1986, a program aiming at monitoring water quality of the most crowded beaches, as well as assessing and minimizing pollution from certain land based sources was carried out in Rhodes and Cos. The program was directed towards inspections of treatment plants as well as laboratory analyses of treated effluents from large hotels. As a result, almost one in four hotels was obliged to construct a new treatment plant. In order to help personnel to improve plant efficiency through day‐to‐day maintenance a three day seminar was held in June 1985. Sea water quality parameters (total coliforms and E. coli) were found to be well below the limits set by E.E.C. directives.     

Speciation and carcinogenic classification—some limits of assessment and prevention procedures—the case of “nickel”

The speciation of nickel is of the highest importance for the definition of lists of substances for regulatory activity in terms of prevention, regarding possible cancer risk. A review is made of the different attitudes of outstanding administrations in front of nickel speciation. Some of them show a maximum of care in chemical definition, others reflect a lack of scientific rigor leading to generic classifications, more or less abusive. The great complexity of the chemistry and physicochemistry of nickel imposes the “two‐level speciation concept” (chemical and physicochemical), at least for compliance with the “Good Laboratory Practice” as far as experimental toxicology is concerned. Recommendations are exposed for the attention of toxicologists and regulators who have been for some years now extremely solicited for prevention aims.