Foliar Applied Nickel on Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) Induced Phenolic Compounds as Potential Antioxidants

In this study, Fagopyrum esculentum (common buckwheat) sprayed with nickel (Ni) (0, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 mM) for different duration has been investigated for Ni accumulation, malondialdehyde (MDA), total phenolics, and phenolic acids. Ni accumulation significantly increased in dose‐dependent manner. Plants exposed for 72 h, showed visible damages as chlorosis and irreversible necrosis. The MDA and total phenolic contents increased at 24 h of Ni treatments. HPLC data revealed that phenolic acids are in good correlation with concentration and durations of treatments. After 24 and 48 h the contents of chlorogenic, p‐hydroxybenzoic, hesperetic, p‐anisic, and caffeic acids increased in Ni treated leaves. On the other hand, p‐hydroxybenzoic, hesperetic, p‐anisic, p‐coumaric, caffeic acids contents decreased after 72 h of Ni exposure. Vanillic and cinnamic acid followed same pattern and increased significantly at 3.0 and 5.0 mM after 48 h of Ni exposure. It may suggest that buckwheat can be possible hyperaccumulators of Ni, because of high Ni accumulation in tissues through foliar treatment. Furthermore, the analyzed phenolic acids have potential role as antioxidants, which provide tolerance to buckwheat against Ni treatment.     

Alterations in Certain Organic Components and Serum Electrolytes in Notopterus notopterus Chronically Exposed to Phenolic Compounds

• The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effects of three sublethal concentrations (1/10th, 1/15th and 1/20th fractions of 96 h LC₅₀) of phenol (P), dinitrophenol (DNP), pentachlorophenol (PCP) and their antagonistic [(PCP + DNP)/P], additive [(DNP + P)/PCP] and synergistic [(P + DNP)/PCP] combinations, on several organic and inorganic components of haemopoetic systems of Notopterus notopterus after 30 d of exposure.
• Glucose, lactate, total phosphorus, non-protein nitrogen, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and chloride were found to be increased in most cases while protein and cholesterol were found to be decreased.
• It has been concluded that these alterations in blood parameters might be due to a damage or hyperactivity of liver, kidney and endocrine glands, the main centres for controlling the tissue metabolism.

     

Effect of Individual Phenolic Compounds and of their Mixtures on Luminous Bacteria. Part I.: Use of Bacterial Luminescence Extinguishing for Biotesting of Phenols

Data are presented that confirm the employment of the bacterial luminescence for evaluating the toxicity of phenolic compounds. High sensitivity and speed properties of the method are shown. Phenolic compound concentrations are determined that produce toxic effects on luminous bacteria cells. It is shown that hydroquinone possesses the highest toxicity.     

Effect of Individual Phenolic Compounds and of Their Mixtures on Luminous Bacteria. Part 2: Interaction of p- and o-Diphenol Toxicity for Beneckea harveyi with Their Oxidation

Experimental material was obtained supporting a hypothesis on the interaction between p- and o-diphenol toxicity and their oxidation. It is shown that quinones – the products of pyrocatechol and hydroquinone oxidation – possess increased toxicity towards luminous bacteria cells.     

Inhibition Concentration of Phenolic Substances under Different Cultivation Conditions. Part II: Impact of Dissolved Oxygen Concentration and Temperature on Degradation Kinetics

The degradation behaviour of a phenolic waste-water from coking containing easily utilizable carbon sources (volatile fatty acids), substances with toxic effects (phenols and phenolic compounds), and non-biodegradable organic substances (humic-like substances) by an adapted activated sludge is investigated depending on dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) and temperature. In addition, the degradation of an acetate model water with the same population was investigated. The investigations were carried out in a special respiration fermenter system by recording oxygen consumption in DO-static experiments. The oxygen consumption curves were subjected to linear regression analysis, and the maximum oxygen consumption rates were used for further calculations. Evaluation of the degradation kinetics was carried out with non-linear regression analysis via commercial software utilizing the Marquardt-Levenberg algorithm and which tested various kinetic models to obtain the best curve fit. It is shown that the dependence of growth on DO in acetate model water is well represented by Monod kinetics but by contrast can only be described in phenolic wastewater with acceptable goodness by Hill kinetics, modified by a maintenance term. The kinetic constants calculated for the mesophilic range (37 °C) are for the model water as follows: maximum specific growth rate = 0.218 h^?1, half saturation constant with respect to oxygen = 0.297 g L^?1, and for the waste-water: maximum specific growth rate = 0.387 h^?1, half saturation constant with respect to oxygen = 0.013 gL^?1 and maintenance coefficient for oxygen = 0.107 g g^?1 h^?1. For the thermophilic range (55 °C), a higher growth rate but a significant lower yield coefficient are to be observed. The kinetic constants calculated are: maximum specific growth rate = 0.8 h^?1, half saturation constant with respect to oxygen = 0.14 gL^?1 and maintenance coefficient for oxygen = 0.3 g g^?1 h^?1. Therefore, it can be concluded that the toxic effect of the biodegradable phenols causes a maintenance metabolism which leads to higher oxygen demand. The diminution of the limiting DO and the increased maintenance metabolism confirm the assumption that a higher maintenance metabolism leads to increased sensitivity with respect to the cosubstrate oxygen. It can be concluded that the experimental and mathematical methods used permit the maintenance metabolism with respect to oxygen caused by toxic substrates and milieu influences to be accurately determined.     

Effect of Individual Phenolic Compounds and of their Mixtures on Luminous Bacteria. Part 6: On Possibilities of Using o- and p-Diphenols as Pesticides

A brief discussion is suggested of a possibility of employing in the practice of the analyses results on the combined action of phenols described in the preceeding parts of the work and of the interaction of the increased toxicity of phenolic compounds with the processes of their oxidation.     

Inhibition Concentration of Phenolic Substances under Different Cultivation Conditions. Part I: Phenol Oxidation by Mixed Microbial Population in a Model System

The effects of oxygen supply rate and the presence or absence of nutrients on the kinetics of phenol degradation and oxygen consumption by a mixed microbial population were tested in a model system. The values for the maximum specific rate of phenol degradation (q_Smax), the saturation constant (K_S), and the inhibition concentration (S_CR) were determined for unlimited growth (K_La = 340 h^?1, growth medium) with 1.7 mmol g^?1 h^?1, 65 mg L^?1, and 190 mg L^?1. Under limitation conditions, alterations occur depending on the type of limitation. Nutrient limitations lead to values of 0.8 mmol g^?1 h^?1, 45 mg L^?1, and 160 mg L^?1, and oxygen limitations lead to 1.2 mmol g^?1 h^?1. 30 mg L^?1, and 120 mg L^?1, respectively. The results suggest that with excess oxygen, the rate of phenol degradation was higher and the inhibition effect of phenol was suppressed to some extent. Under the same high oxygen supply rate, the presence of nutrients in the model water significantly supported the phenol degradation rate.     

Influence of pH on the Toxicity of Phenol and its Two Derivatives Pentachlorophenol and Dinitrophenol to Some Fresh Water Teleosts

— The fish Colisa fasciatus, Saccobranchus fossilis and Notopterus notopterus were exposed to phenol, pentachlorophenol and dinitrophenol at four pH levels, i. e. 4.6 + 0.12, 6.0±0.14, 7.3 ±0.10 and 8.8 ±0.13, to evaluate the effect of pH on the toxicity of these chemicals. — A change in pH from 7.3 ± 0.10 to 6.0 ± 0.14 increased toxicity to a certain degree while a change from 7.3 ± 0.10 to 4.6 ± 0.12 potentiated the toxicity of phenol, pentachlorophenol and dinitrophenol 5.05, 19.30 and 22.33 times, respectively for Notopterus notopterus, 3.59, 4.39 and 4.73 times, tespectively for Colisa fasciatus and 3.04, 4.68 and 5.85 times, respectively for Saccobranchus fossilis. — A change in pH from 7.3 ± 0.10 to 8.8 ± 0.13 has a protective effect on the toxicities.     

Foraging Inhibition in Two Cladocerans Feeding on Microcystis aeruginosa

Bloom‐forming cyanobacteria are known to negatively affect their herbivores, but the possible reasons leading to the foraging inhibition of different cladoceran species are uncertain and controversial so far. Hence, in order to understand how cyanobacteria affect the feeding behavior of cladocerans with different body sizes, feeding rates (FR) of zooplankton cladocerans Daphnia carinata and Moina macrocopa on the mixture of toxic or non‐toxic Microcystis aeruginosa with Scenedesmus quadricauda during a 24‐h period was investigated. FR of M. macrocopa was found generally low in the mixed toxic Microcystis diets, except for the sudden increase after 8 h of exposure, while FR of D. carinata decreased continuously in the mixed toxic diets. The dynamics of FR of both cladocerans on specific algae was similar to that of the total FR. There is no apparent selectivity displayed for either of the two cladoceran species on the mixed diets. There is no significant difference between the strains of Microcystis, suggesting that the feeding pattern of M. macrocopa maybe more of avoiding Microcystis rather than feeding inhibition resulted from the toxicity of algae. Unlike M. macrocopa, there was a significant difference in D. carinata between the strains of Microcystis over time. The reason for feeding inhibition of D. carinata might be toxicity after continuous exposure to the toxic cyanobacteria.     

鄱阳湖水体沉积物中Zn、Cd对底栖生物的毒性效应及基准验证

以泥鳅（Misgurnus anguillicaudatus）、铜锈环棱螺（Bellamya aeruginosa）、河蚬（Corbicula fluminea）为受试生物,以死亡率、渗血率、体质量变化、行动迟钝率、挖洞率为测试指标,探究沉积物中Zn和Cd对底栖生物的21 d慢性毒性效应,并对鄱阳湖Zn和Cd的沉积物基准值进行了验证.结果表明,沉积物中Cd对底栖生物的毒性效应强于Zn,沉积物中Zn、Cd对泥鳅、铜锈环棱螺、河蚬的LC₅₀（半数致死浓度）分别为644和61 mg/kg、751和54 mg/kg、652和81 mg/kg,EC₅₀（半数效应浓度）值分别为526和49 mg/kg、589和35 mg/kg、474和45 mg/kg.经验证,沉积物Zn和Cd的TEL（临界效应浓度）、PEL（必然效应浓度）值比较合理,具有一定适用性,即当Zn、Cd的加标含量低于TEL值时,Q_TEL<1,不具有毒性;当加标含量高于PEL值时,Q_PEL>1,毒性明显.     

Biocides in Relation to Water Pollution. Part 2: Bioassay Studies of Few Biocides to a Fresh Water Fish,Channa gachua.

The present paper deals with the determination of LT_m values of zolone, rogor, sumithion and abate for Channa gachua by conducting static bioassay experiments. The TL_m values for zolone came out to be 0.08275 mg/l, 0.08225 mg/l, 0.0815 mg/l and 0.0810 mg/l; for rogor 5.155 mg/l; 4.955 mg/l, 4.65 mg/l and 4.475 mg/l; for sumithion 12.60 mg/l, 12.50 mg/l, 12.30 mg/l and 12.20 mg/l and for abate 217.25 mg/l, 225.575 mg/l, 221.575 mg/l and 217.25 mg/l for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, respectively. Relative susceptibility indicates that this fish is not susceptible to zolone and less to rogor, sumithion and abate, respectively. Present studies also show that increased temperature and pH increase the toxicity of all the biocides, but increased hardness of water decreases the toxicity of biocide solutions. The safe concentrations for zolone, rogor, sumithion and abate came out to be 0.02437 mg/l, 1.3733 mg/l, 3.6907 mg/l and 66.678 mg/l, respectively.     

Environmental Effects on the Toxicity of Methyl Mercuric Chloride to Chorella vulgaris.

The effect of different concentrations, viz. 0.01, 0.001 and 0.0001 ppm of methyl mercuric chloride on survival, growth behaviour and chlorophyll content of Chlorella vulgaris has been studied under various environmental conditions. Methyl mercury at 0.01 ppm is 100% toxic to the test alga. At a sublethal (0.001 ppm) dose of CH₃HgCl, Chlorophyll a was more inhibited than Chlorophyll b. Toxicity was found to be very much under the influence of pH as at acid pH growth is highly reduced by a sublethal concentration, whereas the same concentration does not have an inhibitory influence in the alkaline range of pH. Eutrophic waters seem to reduce the heavy metal toxicity in general.     

Effect of Individual Phenolic Compounds and of their Mixtures on Luminous Bacteria. Part 4: Causes of the Weakening of p- and o-Dphenol Toxicity by Other Phenols

Experimental data are presented favouring a hypothesis of the elimination of quinones formed in the presence of hydroquinone oxidation in a mixture with other phenols. Results obtained on decreases of the quinone quantities in the mixture correlate with the data on a decrease of their toxicity for luminous bacteria.     

Effect of Individual Phenolic Compounds and of their Mixtures on Luminous Bacteria. Part 7: Change of Polyphenol Toxicity in the Presence of their Oxidases and Certain Practical Problems

Data are presented on the toxicity of hydroquinone and pyrocatechol in the presence of protein preparations possessing oxidase activity. Problems are discussed of their use as biologically active means.     

Acute Toxicity of Sodium Nitrite on Channa punctatus (BLOCH) and Mystus (Mystus) vittatus (BLOCH)

This paper deals with the toxicity of sodium nitrite to freshwater fishes, Channa punctatus (BL.) and Mystus (M). vittatus (Bl.) as to determine the acute toxicity. The LC 50 values were obtained by using a static bioassay method for a period of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hour intervals. The LC 50 values of sodium nitrite for C. punctatus were 375, 325, 250 and 200 ppm and for M. (M). vittatus 164, 140, 90 and 64 ppm, respectively. A profuse mucus secretion was evident at higher concentrations as compared to lower ones. The probable causes of mortality of the fishes are also discussed.     

Toxicity-directed Fractionation of Tannery Wastewater Using Solid-phase Extraction and Luminescence Inhibition in Microtiter Plates

A four-step solid-phase extraction (SPE) method is presented for toxicity-directed fractionation of industrial wastewater. This fractionation procedure serves as a key step for identifying unknown organic toxicants in complex samples. Toxicity was determined as luminescence inhibition of Vibrio fischeri using microtiter plates. This method was compared to standard tests in glass cuvettes using both 37 standard chemicals and 24 wastewater fractions with EC₅₀ values covering five orders of magnitude. Results of both methods correlated well. 22 tannery wastewater samples were sequentially extracted using C₁₈e and polystyrene-divinylbenzene phases in combination with pH-changes. Final solid-phase filtrates showed low inhibition, so toxicity of inorganics could be neglected. Using 1/EC₅₀ values, the SPE eluates showed clearly different toxicity patterns. Even in eluates of the fourth extraction step, high toxic effects could be observed. In several cases, luminescence inhibition was increasing at the anaerobic treatment step compared to the corresponding untreated samples. After aerobic treatment, toxicity of most wastewater fractions was greatly diminished. HPLC/DAD analyses of the wastewater fractions showed a fair separation concerning compound polarity. However, the samples were still too complex to identify single compounds responsible for the detected toxicity. Therefore, a further clean-up step accompanied with toxicity testing is needed.     

Biodegradability and Toxicity of Anionic Surfactants

Alkyl sulphates of the general formula CH_{2n + 1}-O-SO₃Na and alkyl sulphonates of the general formula C_nH_{2n + 1}-SO₃Na, where n = 8, 10, 12, 14 in each series have been tested for biodegradability with the modified OECD screening test No. 301 E, and for toxicity with Daphnia magna and with Photobacterium phosphoreum (the Microtox^TM test). The results show that both alkyl sulphates and alkyl sulphonates are biodegraded with the alkyl sulphates degrading more rapidly under the test conditions. The alkyl sulphates also have higher toxicity to both test species and for both alkyl sulphates and sulphonates the toxicity increases linearly with increasing molecular weight of the surfactant.     

Removal of Two Pharmaceutically Active Compounds from Aqueous Phase Using an Engineered Floodplain Filtration System

This study investigated the removal of two model pharmaceutically active compounds (PhAcs), viz., ibuprofen and triclosan, in lab‐scale engineered floodplain filtration (EFF) system. Biodegradation experiments were performed to acquire knowledge about the degradation of the targeted PhAcs, at an initial concentration of 350 µg/L. Biodegradation results showed that the two compounds were bio‐transformed to >70% after 15 days of incubation. Column tests were performed in a statistically significant manner to determine the adsorptive potential of the suggested filler layer in the EFF (C/C₀), by varying the flow rate and initial concentration of the compound. It was observed based on the F and p‐values that the main effects (F = 3163, p < 0.005) were more significant than the interactive effects (F = 9561, p < 0.05) for both ibuprofen and triclosan removal. Besides, by performing the Student's “t” test, it was concluded that the flow rate plays a major role in determining the rapidness of achieving complete breakthrough than the initial concentration of both the compounds. The data obtained from column studies under biotic conditions indicated that the removal mechanism for PhAcs is mainly biotransformation based, and that an EFF system may be effectively used to remove these emerging compounds during ground water recharge for water recycling.     

Evaluation of the Comparative Toxicity of Thiotox,Dichlorvos and Carbofuran to Two Fresh Water Teleosts Ophiocephalus punctatus and Mystus Vittatus

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the comparative toxicity of Thiotox (Endosulfan) (an organochlorine), Dichlorvos (DDVP) (an organophosphorus) and Carbofuran (a carbamate) so as to determine the TL 50 values, acute toxicity ranges, relative toxicities, relative susceptibility, safe concentrations, regression equations, heterogeneity factor and 95% confidence limits for the period of 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, taking two fresh water teleosts, Mystus vittatus and Ophiocephalus punctatus as test animals. From the relative toxicity of these pesticides it is evident that thiotox was the most toxic and dichlorvos the least toxic one, while the toxicity of carbofuran was in between these two extremes for both the fishes. On the basis of relative susceptibility, Mystus vittatus was found to be more susceptible than Ophiocephalus punctatus for thiotox, dichlorvos and carbofuran, respectively. The safe concentrations were computed for all the three pesticides taking different application factors, so as to avoid the long term water pollution by these pesticides.     

A Study on the Effect of Temperature upon the Toxicity of Sodium Pentachlorophenate to the Freshwater Snail Viviparus bengalensis L.

The toxicity of Na-pentachlorophenate to Viviparus bengalensis is investigated by batch tests with daily exchange of medium in the temperature range between 19 °C (February), 27 °C (April), 32 °C (June) and 30 °C (August) at times of exposure between 12 and 96 h. In the range of higher concentrations, pronounced abnormalities in behaviour by secreting mucus and discharging eggs and embryos occur. The LC₅₀ are lowest for all times of exposure at 27 °C, whereas the times of survival with a given concentration are highest at 30 °C. From the LC_{50, 96h, 27°C} = 66 μg/l results a safe concentration of only 47 μg/l Na-pentachlorophenate for Viviparus bengalensis.