Accumulation of trinitrotoluene (TNT) in aquatic organisms: part 2--Bioconcentration in aquatic invertebrates and potential for trophic transfer to channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

The potential of TNT to accumulate in aquatic organisms was assessed by determining bioconcentration factors for TNT and TNT biotransformation products using two benthic invertebrates (Chironomus tentans and Lumbriculus variegatus), and by determining the bioaccumulation factor of TNT and TNT biotransformation products due to TNT exposure via feeding for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). In all three species, TNT was rapidly biotransformed resulting in minimal accumulation. The bioconcentration factors for parent TNT ranged from 3 to 4 ml g(-1) for the invertebrates studied, while the TNT bioaccumulation factor for catfish via oral exposure of food pellets was 2.4x10(-5) g g(-1) based on the concentration of TNT in the food pellet. As indicated by this small bioaccumulation factor, TNT accumulation in channel catfish through trophic transfer would be negligible compared to aqueous exposure (previously reported BCF of 0.79 ml g(-1)). TNT extractable biotransformation products accumulated to a greater degree than parent TNT for all three species. In addition, a large fraction of the radioactivity within all three species resisted solvent extraction. The highest bioconcentration factors occurred in L. variegatus with extractable radioactivity measuring 76 ml g(-1) and total radioactivity measuring 216 ml g(-1). Because the bioaccumulation of TNT is very low compared to the bioaccumulation of its biotransformation products, further research including identifying and determining the relative toxicities of these biotransformation products is necessary to fully evaluate the environmental risk posed by exposure to TNT.     

Accumulation of trinitrotoluene (TNT) in aquatic organisms: part 1--Bioconcentration and distribution in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Little is currently known regarding the toxicokinetics of TNT in fish. In the present study, the bioconcentration and distribution of trinitrotoluene (TNT) and TNT biotransformation products was investigated in juvenile channel catfish by exposing catfish to 14C-labeled TNT in water. Uptake experiments showed relatively fast rates (k(u)=10.1 ml g(-1) h(-1)) for TNT from the water; however, bioconcentration factors for TNT were low (0.79 ml g(-1)) due to rapid biotransformation and potential elimination of TNT. Accumulation of extractable radioactivity (TNT and all extractable biotransformation products) was much greater (BCF=10.5 ml g(-1)) than that for parent compound. TNT (parent compound) bioconcentrated to the greatest extent in the gills of the fish, while total radioactivity bioconcentrated to the greatest extent in the viscera. Residual portions of the fish that contained muscle and skin had lower concentrations of TNT than the whole fish, indicating that ingestion of fish fillets would result in decreased exposure to human consumers. Although the bioconcentration potential of TNT is very low, future research needs to be conducted to identify the biotransformation products that make up most of the radioactivity in exposed fish and evaluate their potential to promote toxicity.     

Lead and zinc bioavailability to Eisenia fetida after phosphorus amendment to repository soils

Four phosphorus forms were investigated as potential soil amendments to decrease the bioavailability of Pb and Zn in two repository soils to the earthworm, Eisenia fetida. Treatments were evaluated by examining differences in bioaccumulation factors between amended and non-amended soils. Triple super phosphate at 5000 mg P/kg decreased both Pb and Zn bioavailability in both soils. Rock phosphate at 5000 mg P/kg decreased Zn bioavailability, but not Pb bioavailability in both repository soils. Monocalcium phosphate and tricalcium phosphate at 5000 mg P/kg did not significantly decrease Pb or Zn bioavailability to earthworms in either repository soil. In order to optimize phosphorus amendments, additional phosphorus (up to 15,000 mg P/kg) and lowered pH were used in a series of tests. The combination of lowering the pH below 6.0 and increasing phosphorus concentrations caused complete mortality in all triple super phosphate amended soils and partial mortality in the highest rock phosphate amended soils. Results indicate that triple super phosphate and rock phosphate are viable soil amendments, but care should be taken when optimizing amendment quantity and pH so that adverse environmental effects are not a by-product.     

Book reviews

ANALYTICAL PLANNING: THE ORGANISATION OF SYSTEMS

Thomas L. Saaty and Kevin P. Kearns

Pergamon Press, 1985. Price: U.S. $40.00, U.K. £29.50.

THE GEOGRAPHER AT WORK

Peter Gould

Routledge and Kegan Paul, London 1985’ Price: £8.95.

UTOPIA ON TRIAL

Alice Colman

Hilary Shipman Ltd., 19 Framfield Road, Highbury, London. May 1985 (reprinted August, 1985). Price: £7.95.

SIR RAYMOND UNWIN: ARCHITECT, PLANNER AND VISIONARY

Frank Jackson

A. Zwemmer Ltd., London 1985. 187 pp. with maps and illustrations.

STRATEGIC PLANNING IN ACTION: THE IMPACT OF THE CLYDE VALLEY REGIONAL PLAN 1946–1982

R. Smith and U. Wannop (eds)

Gower, 1985, 272 pp. Price: £16.50.

LOCALITIES, CLASS AND GENDER

The Lancaster Regionalism Group (Linda Murgatroyd, Mike Savage, Dan Shapiro, John Urry, Sylvia Walby, Alan Warde, with Jane Mark‐Lawson)

Pion Ltd., 1985. Price: £12.00.     

A pilot study to assess residential endotoxin and blood IgE in a group of pregnant women from Trujillo, Peru

OBJECTIVE: This November 2003 pilot study investigates the correlation between serum IgE and residential endotoxin levels from a group of 18 pregnant women living in Trujillo, Peru, and investigates the impact of the demographic and lifestyle factors of this group on the IgE and endotoxin levels measured. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 19 subjects and analyzed for IgE. Dust samples were collected from the mattresses of 18 subjects and measured for endotoxin levels. A questionnaire was used to obtain demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle information for each subject. RESULTS: Geometric means for IgE and endotoxin were 246.8 (GSD=4.3, n=19) IU/mL and 66.5 EU/mg (GSD=1.7, n=18), respectively. Log-transformed IgE and endotoxin were not correlated (R2=0.02; p=0.60). CONCLUSIONS: Residential endotoxin and serum IgE were not correlated in this group. Potential selection bias and sample size are major limitations of the study. However, 74% (14/19) of the subjects in this study had an IgE over 100 IU/mL, a level generally considered elevated.     

Atmospheric Emissions from Oxidation Ponds

The electrodes in industrial precipitators collect many tons of dust daily, and the efficient transfer of this dust burden to the hoppers is a challenging problem in mechanical engineering. Many varieties of devices have been tried; hammers, vibrators, scrapers, water flushing, gas blasting, etc. Impact devices for this purpose are usually called “rappers.” Laboratory experiments described in this paper show that normal (perpendicular) rapping is more effective than shear rapping; that thick dust layers are more easily removed by rapping than thin ones; that rapping becomes easier with increasing temperature, within limits; and that the electrostatic forces acting upon the precipitated dust layer play an important role. Quantitative data are shown graphically. The relation of these results to previous studies by other investigators is discussed.