Enhanced twin pregnancy detection within an open neural tube defect and down syndrome screening protocol using free-beta hCG and AFP

We have applied our multimarker approach of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and free-beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for Down syndrome screening to multiple gestations to assess its efficacy for improved detection of twin and triplet pregnancies. This study matched 225 cases of twin pregnancy and 39 cases of triplet pregnancy each with ten singleton pregnancies based on gestational week, race, time to receive sample, time of year of sample, and geographical area. The ratios of the MOM for each group at the tenth, 50th, and 90th percentiles were compared by the Wilcoxon test. Risks for twins were calculated using Bayes' rule, the age-related incidence of twins, and the levels of AFP and free-beta hCG. The tenth, 50th, and 90th percentiles of free-beta hCG MOMs in twin and triplet cases were 0.85, 1.99, and 4.51, and 1.38, 2.78, and 4.07, respectively. For AFP, the MOMs at these percentiles were 1.26, 1.91, and 2.99, and 2.02, 2.68, and 5.30, respectively. The twin and triplet distributions for each marker were statistically significantly different from the singleton distributions (P<0.0001) and from each other (P=0.0012). At a twin risk cut-off of 1 in 50, 77.4 per cent of all twin gestations can be detected in a second-trimester AFP and free-beta hCG screening protocol with 5.1 per cent of singleton pregnancies falsely identified as at risk for twins. Our dual marker protocol for mid-trimester pregnancy screening combining AFP and free-beta hCG can identify over 77 per cent of twin pregnancies in women less than 35 years of age. This benefit may contribute to an improved outcome of pregnancy by early detection of multiple gestation.     

Who cleans up the oil? A microeconomic study

Although oil spill cleanup requirements have existed in the United States for years, recent increases in oil imports and marine transportation of petroleum products as well as growing environmental concern have exposed a new industry, the Oil Spill Cleanup Industry. This paper explores some of the microeconomic aspects of this industry which has come under increased scrutiny by the general public, big business, and the federal government.In addition to a brief history and definition, several basic questions about the economic viability of the oil spill cleanup industry are raised and explored, and the impact on the industry of cleanup from government sources is examined, both from the perspective of present operations and from apparent future increases in federal participation. The primary dilemma facing the industry, that of providing continued and immediate supply while confronted with stochastic demand, is discussed. The effects of the large spill on the industry both in terms of revenue and ability to meet cleanup requirements is also considered.Information for the paper is drawn from past and continuing involvement in the U.S. Coast Guard's Marine Environmental Protection Program by both authors. The statistical evidence presented here was compiled through personal interviews and from two computerized Coast Guard information systems; PIRS (the Pollution Incident Reporting System), and SKIM (the Spill Cleanup Equipment Inventory System).     

Natural biodegradation of wood preservatives

Natural biodegradation can contain groundwaters impacted by creosote and pentachlorophenol. Using natural biodegradation for such sites is attractive because groundwater restoration is often impracticable, but the dissolved plumes are biodegradable and exert relatively low oxygen demands. Three case studies of its successful use are presented, with emphasis on the types of evidence needed, the rates and extents of removal, and the strategies for incorporating natural biodegradation into a remediation approach. Natural biodegradation was proven at all three sites, using a combination of field geochemical measurements, laboratory simulations, and computer modeling. Contaminant plumes at these three sites were contained within 100 to 700 feet downgradient of the apparent sources, although the rates of biodegradation varied widely. Natural biodegradation should be considered as part of an overall remedial strategy for most sites contaminated by creosote and/or pentachlorophenol.     

不同添加剂对铅冶炼污染石灰性土壤的修复及土壤性质的影响研究

探讨了污水处理厂脱水污泥、枯草和磷矿粉对受铅冶炼污染的石灰性土壤(全Pb、Cd、Zn含量分别为2337、21.4、486 mg·kg-1,DTPA提取态Pb、Cd、Zn含量分别为1035、14.5、68.7 mg·kg-1)中重金属的稳定效果及对土壤性质的影响.其中,污泥和枯草均按200 g·kg-1(干重)的用量施用,磷矿粉按n(P)∶n(Pb)=2∶1比例施用,培养80 d.研究结果表明,单独施用污泥可使土壤DTPA-Pb含量降低18.0%(p0.05),并可显著降低土壤pH,增加土壤氮、磷有效性和电导率、DTPA-Cd、DTPA-Zn含量,其中,DTPA-Cd、DTPA-Zn含量增加比例均达到10%以上.单独施用枯草可使土壤DTPA-Pb含量降低10.7%(p0.05),土壤有机质含量增加26.4%(p0.05),对土壤其它性状影响较小.磷矿粉单独施用时对土壤性质影响较小.与污泥单独施用相比,磷矿粉与污泥配合施用时,可使土壤DTPA-Cd含量降低11.9%.     

钙、氯对磷酸盐稳定污染土壤中铅的促进作用研究

为探讨促进磷酸盐稳定污染土壤中铅的方法,在全铅含量为517 mg·kg-1的铅冶炼污染土壤中加入5 mmol·kg-1磷酸盐,同时加入10mmol·kg-1硝酸钙或5 mmol·kg-1氯化钾,在15%或30%的含水率下培养40 d,之后种植黑麦草.结果表明,与单独施用磷酸盐相比,采用磷酸盐与钙、氯结合或增加培养期间的土壤含水率后,土壤DTPA-Pb含量下降3.92%~26.1%;对于同一添加剂处理,培养期间土壤含水率从15%增加到30%,土壤有效铅(DTPA-Pb)含量下降8.83%~24.4%.增加土壤含水率后,土壤有效磷(Olsen-P)含量均显著升高(p0.05).土壤铅的EXAFS分析表明,与未施用磷酸盐的对照相比,土壤中加入磷酸盐后矿物态铅的比例由57%上升至81%,加施钙、氯或增加土壤含水率后,多数处理矿物态铅的比例有所下降,而有机结合态铅比例上升.与对照相比,污染土壤中施用磷酸盐后,植物产量大幅增加,但施用钙、氯或增加培养期间含水率后,部分处理植物产量有所下降.以上结果表明,在铅冶炼污染土壤中加入磷酸盐时,加入钙、氯或者增加土壤含水率均有利于铅的稳定,但以上措施可能对植物生长产生不利影响.     

Particle fluxes above forests: observations, methodological considerations and method comparisons

This paper reports a study designed to test, evaluate and compare micro-meteorological methods for determining the particle number flux above forest canopies. Half-hour average particle number fluxes above a representative broad-leaved forest in Denmark derived using eddy covariance range from -7x10(7) m(-2) s(-1) (1st percentile) to 5x10(7) m(-2) s(-1) (99th percentile), and have a median value of -1.6x10(6) m(-2) s(-1). The statistical uncertainties associated with the particle number flux estimates are larger than those for momentum fluxes and imply that in this data set approximately half of the particle number fluxes are not statistically different to zero. Particle number fluxes from relaxed eddy accumulation (REA) and eddy covariance are highly correlated and of almost identical magnitude. Flux estimates from the co-spectral and dissipation methods are also correlated with those from eddy covariance but exhibit higher absolute magnitude of fluxes.     

Degradation of the herbicide dichlobenil and its metabolite BAM in soils and subsurface sediments

The worldwide used herbicide dichlobenil (2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile) has resulted in widespread presence of its metabolite 2,6-dichlorobenzamide (BAM) in surface water and groundwater. To evaluate the potential for natural attenuation of this BAM pollution in groundwater, we studied the degradation of BAM and dichlobenil in 16 samples of clayey till, unconsolidated sand and limestone, including sediments from both oxidized and reduced conditions. The degradation of dichlobenil occurred primarily in the upper few meters below surface, although dichlobenil was strongly sorbed to these sediments. However, the degradation of dichlobenil to BAM could not be correlated to either sorption, water chemistry, composition of soils or sediments. Degradation of dichlobenil to BAM was limited (<2% degraded) in the deeper unsaturated zones, and no degradation was observed in aquifer sediments. This illustrates, that dichlobenil transported to aquifers does not contribute to the BAM-contamination in aquifers. A small, but significant degradation of BAM was observed in the upper part of the unsaturated zones in sandy sediments, but no degradation was observed in the clayey till sediment or in the deeper unsaturated zones. The insignificant degradation of BAM in aquifer systems shows that BAM pollution detected in aquifers will appear for a long time; and consequently the potential for natural attenuation of BAM in aquifer systems is limited.     

Chromate transport through columns packed with surfactant-modified zeolite/zero valent iron pellets

Chromate transport through columns packed with zeolite/zero valent iron (Z/ZVI) pellets, either untreated or treated with the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA), was studied at different flow rates. In the presence of sorbed HDTMA, the chromate retardation factor increased by a factor of five and the pseudo first-order rate constant for chromate reduction increased by 1.5-5 times. The increase in rate constant from the column studies was comparable to a six-fold increase in the rate constant determined in a batch study. At a fast flow rate, the apparent delay in chromate breakthrough from the HDTMA modified Z/ZVI columns was primarily caused by the increase in chromate reduction rate constant. In contrast, at a slower flow rate, the retardation in chromate transport from the HDTMA modified Z/ZVI columns mainly originated from chromate sorption onto the HDTMA modified Z/ZVI pellets. Due to dual porosity, the presence of immobile water was responsible for the earlier breakthrough of chromate in columns packed with zeolite and Z/ZVI pellets. The results from this study further confirm the role of HDTMA in enhancing sorption and reduction efficiency of contaminants in groundwater remediation.     

CHemical and Biological Assessment of an Urban, Estuarine marsh in Northeastern New Jersey USA

Oritani Marsh in the Hackensack Meadowlands of urbanized northeastern New Jersey USA was assessed in 2000 for vegetation, soil/sediment chemistry, abundance/diversity of benthic invertebrates, and bird and mammal usage. Vegetatively, both marsh and uplands are dominated by tall, dense Phragmites australis. Small patches (less than 2 hectares total) dominated by Spartina spp. were found at the lowest elevations. Soil/sediment cores were sliced into 5 intervals and analyzed for metals, pesticides and volatile/semivolatile organic compounds. Thirteen locations had at least one chemical above Long et al.’s [Environmental Management, 19, 1995, 81--97] “Effects Range-Median” (ERM). Seven metals and nine organics exceeded ERM in at least one sample, with mercury showing the most exceedances. The surface 15 cm interval was generally more contaminated with metals than the 15 to 30 cm interval; the reverse was true for semivolatile organic compounds. Twenty taxa of benthic macroinvertebrates were collected, with each location producing from 1 to 9 taxa. Abundance ranged from 11 to 3,889 individuals/m². Number of taxa was moderately (r ² between 0.40 and 0.70) negatively correlated with zinc, beryllium, nickel and arsenic concentrations; no other chemical’s r ² was above 0.25. Diversity was moderately negatively correlated with arsenic and beryllium. These correlations were unexpected: zinc, beryllium, nickel and arsenic were not the chemicals found at the highest concentrations relative to benchmarks. Number of taxa, abundance and diversity were moderately (negatively) correlated with elevation; organic carbon was moderately (positively) correlated with abundance. All other correlations were weak (r ² < 0.35). Live traps captured only one mammal species, the meadow jumping mouse. Bird observations revealed 39 species, dominated by a few common species.