Atmospheric concentrations of PCDD/Fs, dl-PCBs and some pesticides in northern Algeria using passive air sampling

Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) is the terminal degradation product of many commercially used perfluorinated compounds, and most of the toxicity testing to date has focused on its potential biological effects. While PFOS has been extensively studied, other PFCs including replacement chemicals such as perfluorobutanesulfonate (PFBS) and perfluorobutyric acid (PFBA), have not been well characterized. Despite the relative lack of data available on these other PFCs it has been assumed that they will cause similar or lesser effects than PFOS. This study compared the effects of 10 PFCs routinely found in the environment on mRNA abundance of 7 genes related to processes known to be affected by PFOS, such as fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis, and thyroid development. Rat H4IIE hepatoma cells were exposed and changes in mRNA abundance were quantified by real-time PCR. Significant changes in mRNA abundance were observed. The effects caused by the shorter chain replacement chemicals differed significantly from those caused by PFOS or PFOA. Furthermore, not all of the PFCs caused the same effects, and changes could not simply be attributed to chain-length or functional group. These differences could mean that these replacement chemicals do not act through the same mechanisms as the more studied PFOS and PFOA.     

Extraction and Characterization of Fiber Treatment Inula viscosa Fibers as Potential Polymer Composite Reinforcement

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - This research aims to characterize and analysis of newly cellulosic fiber extracted from Inula viscosa bark. The obtained Inula viscosa fibers were also...     

Factors affecting metribuzin retention in Algerian soils and assessment of the risks of contamination

Metribuzin is a widely used herbicide around the world but it could lead to soil and water contamination. Metribuzin retention on a silty–clay agricultural soil of Algeria was studied in laboratory batch experiments to assess the contamination risk of the groundwater. Factors conditioning the fate of metribuzin were investigated: soil nature, metribuzin formulation, NPK fertilizer, and soil pH. Freundlich sorption isotherms gave the coefficients K _F between 1.2 and 4.9 and 1/n _a between 0.52 and 0.93. The adsorption is directly dependent on organic and clay soil contents. Formulated metribuzin (Metriphar) reduces the adsorption (K _F?=?1.25) compared to pure metribuzin (K _F?=?2.81). The addition of an NPK fertilizer decreases the soil pH (6.67 for the soil without fertilizer and 5.86 for 2 % of fertilizer) and increases metribuzin adsorption (K _F is 4.83 for 2 % of fertilizer). The pH effect on the adsorption is corroborated in experiments changing the soil pH between 5 (K _F is 4.17) and 8 (K _F is 1.57) under controlled conditions. Desorption isotherms show a hysteresis and only 30 to 40 % of the initially adsorbed metribuzin is released. The estimated GUS index is ≥2.8 for a DT50?≥?30 days. K _F values and the hysteresis show that metribuzin is little but strongly retained on the soil. Formulated metribuzin and addition of fertilizer affect the retention. However, the GUS index indicates a high mobility and a significant risk of leaching. The most appropriate risk management measure would be an important increase in organic matter content of the soil by addition of organic amendments.     

Detoxification of 4-chlorophenol in TiO2 sunlight system: effect of raw and treated solution on seed germination and plants growth of various sensitive vegetables

The mineralization and detoxification of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) were studied using a TiO₂-paper/sunlight system. The possibility of reusing the photocatalyst was examined to determine the cost effectiveness of the method. Experiments were performed to establish optimum conditions for 4-CP removal. Phytotoxicity of photo-treated and raw 4-CP (100 mg L^?1) solutions on seed germination and plant growth were carried out with the aim of water reuse and environment protection. The seeds irrigated with raw 4-CP solution showed lower sprout length while increase in sprout length was observed with the photo-treated solution for tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), onion (Allium cepa), and turnip (Brassica rapa). Plant growth tests with the photo-treated 4-CP solution did not affect the leaf numbers compared to those irrigated with tap water. Photo-treated 4-CP solution can be used for irrigation in agriculture.     

Particulate matter emissions during autopsies: a method to reduce exposure

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Particulate matter emitted during autopsies can serve as a vector for numerous viruses or bacteria and can lead to infections. Reducing the exposure...