Phthalates and the aquatic environment: Part II The bioconcentration and depuration of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP) in mussels (Mytilus edulis)

Mussels ($\text{Mytilus edulis}$) were exposed to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and to di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP) over a period of 28 days. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) as measured by ¹⁴C analysis, reached estimated plateau levels corresponding to mean BCF values of approximately 2500 and 3500 for the DEHP and DIDP respectively. The mussels were then held in clean seawater for a further 14 days and ¹⁴C analysis showed a depuration half-life of approximately 3.5 days for both phthalates. During the whole 42 days of the experiment general observations on the health of the animals showed no evidence of any adverse effects.     

Uptake and enantioselective elimination of chlordane compounds by common carp (Cyprinus carpio, L.)

An analytical method involving supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) followed by a two-dimensional gas chromatography (2D-GC) analysis was developed to determine the concentration (first GC) and enantiomeric ratio (second GC) of cis- and trans-chlordanes at the ppb (ng/g) level in fish tissue. The SFE method allowed concentration of the compounds of interest, and reduced the number of extraction and sample clean-up manipulations as compared to classical solvent extraction techniques. Four hundred common carp fingerling (Cyprinus carpio, L.) were exposed for three days to water containing 5 ppb (5 ng/g) technical grade chlordane containing about 1 ppb of chlordane isomers. The fish concentrated the pesticides more than 200 times (162 and 312 ng/g of cis- and trans-chlordane, respectively). However, the uptake is not enantioselective. The concentration of the principle constituents and their enantiomeric ratio was followed during a fifty days growth period in chlordane free water. The first order decay of concentration was observed with a half time of about 18 days for both the cis- and trans-chlordane isomers. However it was found that the enantiomeric ratio of the trans-chlordane was significantly altered during this short period of time, decreasing from ER=1 to ER=0.7, while no enantiomeric changes were observed for the cis-chlordane. It seems that the (-)-trans-chlordane is metabolized significantly faster (t(1/2-)=15 days) in the river carp fish than the (+)-trans-enantiomer (t(1/2+)=20 days).     

THE EFFECTS OF DIURNAL MIXING ON THERMAL STRATIFICATION OF STATIC IMPOUNDMENTS1

ABSTRACT: The time variation in the temperature distribution of a static water impoundment is predicted. The body of water is modeled as a discrete number of horizontally isothermal layers and the energy equation is solved using an implicit numerical scheme. Vertical energy transport mechanisms included are solar absorption, molecular diffusion, and convective mixing due to nocturnal turnover. The latter mechanism, called diurnal mixing, is found to have a profound effect on the stratification, particularly in the eplimnion patterns for a typical deep static impoundment.     

Cross-sectional biomonitoring study of pesticide exposures in Queensland,Australia, using pooled urine samples

A range of pesticides are available in Australia for use in agricultural and domestic settings to control pests, including organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides, herbicides, and insect repellents, such as N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET). The aim of this study was to provide a cost-effective preliminary assessment of background exposure to a range of pesticides among a convenience sample of Australian residents. De-identified urine specimens stratified by age and sex were obtained from a community-based pathology laboratory and pooled (n = 24 pools of 100 specimens). Concentrations of urinary pesticide biomarkers were quantified using solid-phase extraction coupled with isotope dilution high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Geometric mean biomarker concentrations ranged from <0.1 to 36.8 ng/mL for organophosphate insecticides, <0.1 to 5.5 ng/mL for pyrethroid insecticides, and <0.1 to 8.51 ng/mL for all other biomarkers with the exception of the DEET metabolite 3-diethylcarbamoyl benzoic acid (4.23 to 850 ng/mL). We observed no association between age and concentration for most biomarkers measured but noted a “U-shaped” trend for five organophosphate metabolites, with the highest concentrations observed in the youngest and oldest age strata, perhaps related to age-specific differences in behavior or physiology. The fact that concentrations of specific and non-specific metabolites of the organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos were higher than reported in USA and Canada may relate to differences in registered applications among countries. Additional biomonitoring programs of the general population and focusing on vulnerable populations would improve the exposure assessment and the monitoring of temporal exposure trends as usage patterns of pesticide products in Australia change over time.     

The development and application of remote sensing to monitor sand dune habitats

Sand dunes are complex systems that contain several habitats, often as mosaics or transitions between types. Several of these habitats are afforded protection under European Legislation and in the UK nationally within Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Natural England has a statutory duty to report to Europe on the conservation status and condition of sand dunes; and is required to report to the UK Government on designated sites. To achieve this we have sought ways of capturing, analysing and interpreting data on the extent and location of sand dune habitats. This requires an ability to be able to obtain data over large areas of coastline in an efficient way. Natural England and Environment Agency Geomatics have worked collaboratively for over 16 years, sharing data and ecological knowledge. In 2012 work started to evaluate the use of remote sensing to map UK BAP and Annex I sand dune habitats. A methodology has now been developed and tested to map sand dune habitats. The key objective was to provide an operational tool that will help to map these habitats and understand change on sites around England. This has been achieved through analysis of LIDAR and Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager (CASI) data using Object Orientated Image Analysis. Quality Control (QC) and accuracy assessments have shown this approach to be successful and 11 sites have been mapped to date. These techniques are providing a new approach to monitoring change in coastal vegetation communities and informing management of protected sites.     

Periphyton as monitors for heavy metal pollution in the Calcasieu River estuary

The levels of copper, lead, chromium, zinc, cadmium, arsenic and silver were determined in periphyton specimens obtained with a diatometer collector. Stations selected were along three important bayous of the Calcasieu River system. Distributions of some metals in the organisms were similar to those found in sediment from the same locations, while other metals appeared to be similar to water concentrations. Concentration ratios of periphyton over sediment greatly exceeded one for the metals chromium, zinc, cadmium, arsenic and silver. The concentrations of heavy metals in the periphyton appeared to yield more information about pollutants than either water or sediment samples collected at the periphyton stations.