Immunotoxicity and hepatotoxicity of PFOS and PFOA in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Perfluorinated organic compounds(PFOCs) are emerging persistent organic pollutants(POPs) widely distributed in the environment,wildlife and human.We studied the toxicology of perfluorooctane sulfonate(PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid(PFOA) on immunotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in primarily cultured hepatocytes of freshwater tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus).Cultured hepatocytes were exposed to PFOS or PFOA(0,10,20 and 30 mg/L) for 24,48,72,96,120 and 144 hours,respectively.Oral doses of these compounds that induce significantly detectable immunotoxicity and hepatotoxicity were employed in the study.In response to PFOS,the leukocytes,B cells,granulocytes,and macrophages among the isolation of intrahepatic immune cells(IHIC) from PFOS-treated tilapia produced significant levels of immune cells compared with that of the control group.The numbers of leukocytes,B cells,granulocytes,and macrophages for PFOS-treated tilapia increased with the incremental exposure concentration.Moreover,similar to the findings in PFOA toxicity effects,the erythropoietin levels in tilapia increased with the increase of the PFOS and PFOA concentrations.The lowest doses(10 mg/L) of PFOS exposure led to a marked inhibition in the hepatocyte viability in tilapia.Similarly,tilapia exposed to PFOA demonstrated a similar pattern,and a dose-dependent decrease in the hepatocyte viability was observed in the following treatment of PFOA.In the 72 h exposures,ethoxy-resorufin-O-deethylase(EROD) activity was significantly induced with the increase concentrations in tilapia liver(p<0.05).Tilapia showed a strong EROD induction in livers,and significantly difference in EROD activity was observed between control,PFOS and PFOA-exposed tilapias.The liver glycogen content showed that PFOS and PFOA exposure caused significant changes in the liver glycogen content,which depended on the duration of exposure.And it appeared that the decrease in blood glucose level during the acclimation was followed by significant increase in liver glycogen content in tilapia.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in combusted residues and soils from an open burning site of electronic wastes

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants due to their extensive use. Combusted residue from electronic waste (e-waste) combustion is one of the contamination sources because PBDEs may be deposited in the soil and transported to remote locations. The transport and deposition behaviors of PBDEs released from burning were evaluated by analyzing their concentrations and congener distributions. Total PBDE concentrations were detected in the range from 2379 to 6238 ng/g (dry weight) in the combusted residue samples collected from a large open burning site and from 247.4 to 1422.3 ng/g in soil samples collected from different locations close to the open burning site. BDE-209, 183, 153, 99, and 47 were detected in relative high concentrations in both combusted residue and soil samples. The interpretation of the PBDEs concentrations and congener patterns in the combusted residue and soil samples indicated that PBDEs contamination in soil might be a result of e-waste burning and transportation, and deposit of the combusted residue. The total PBDE concentrations decreased significantly with increasing distance from the burned site, suggesting that the combusted activities were the major source of PBDEs in the region and the transportation behavior of lower brominated congeners might not differ from that of higher brominated congeners for short distances.     

Application of pyrolysis–GC/MS for the characterisation of suspended particulate organic matter in the Mediterranean Sea: a comparison with the Black Sea

Suspended particulate organic matter (SPOM) both from the oligotrophic Mediterranean and from the more productive Black Sea has been analysed by pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS) and by such conventional techniques as elemental analysis and fluorometry. The data achieved by the two approaches generally confirmed and complemented each other. The relative concentrations of pyrolysis products (termed markers) characteristic of chlorophyll (CHL), lipid, carbohydrate (CBH), and protein (PROT) components of SPOM have been determined. The vertical distribution of lipid markers was more uniform in the Mediterranean surface waters. Their relative abundance increased rapidly in the oxycline of the Black Sea, reaching their highest levels in the suboxic zone, where the protein composition of the SPOM changed significantly. In both seas, the relative concentrations of CHL markers increased consistently within the CHL maximum zone where the CBH markers were less abundant. No lignin markers from terrestrial vegetation were detected at significant levels in the pyrograms.     

Effects of micro-plastic particles on paraquat toxicity to common carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis>): biochemical changes

In this study, we investigated the possible effects of paraquat and micro-plastics on blood biochemical parameters in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). We exposed C. carpio for 21 days to sublethal concentrations of paraquat (0.2 and 0.4 mg L^?1) and micro-plastics (1 and 2 mg L^?1), alone or in combination. Blood biochemical analysis indicated that exposure to 0.4 mg L^?1 paraquat and mixture of paraquat and micro-plastics was followed by an increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activities and glucose levels. The activity of ALP and CPK showed a significant increase in fish treated with 2 mg L^?1 micro-plastics. No significant changes were observed in glucose level, AST, ALT, and LDH activities in fish exposed to micro-plastics. Exposure to paraquat and/or micro-plastics resulted in a significant decrease in total protein, globulin, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and γ-glutamyl transferase activity. When fish were exposed to paraquat or paraquat and micro-plastics, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities increased significantly compared to the control group. Treating fishes with a mixture of paraquat and 2 mg L^?1 micro-plastics caused a significant increase in albumin levels. However, a significant decrease in the albumin level was observed after exposure to paraquat or micro-plastics. Creatinine levels increased after exposure to paraquat and/or micro-plastics. The results indicate that increased doses of micro-plastics in water significantly increased toxic effects of paraquat in fish. Finally, these data support the hypothesis that changes in blood biochemical parameters were induced by exposure to paraquat and/or micro-plastics.     

柑桔园林下穿透雨的分布特征

研究了柑桔林下穿透雨的分布特征,结果表明:在测定期间,穿透雨量占总降雨量的68.3%,5月的穿透雨量最大(245.1 mm),而穿透雨率最大值(73.3%)出现在8月。穿透雨量与降雨量具有显著相关性(p<0.01),而穿透雨率与降雨量和降雨强度的相关性均达到显著水平(p<0.05)。柑桔林下穿透雨显示出明显的空间变化,各观测点间穿透雨率具有显著性的差异,而且穿透雨的空间异质性(穿透雨率的变异系数CV)随着降雨量或降雨强度的增加而降低,聚类分析也显示出穿透雨在不同观测点间具有差异性。柑桔林下穿透雨呈现明显的聚集效应。     

Effects of humic acid and Tween-80 on behavior of decabromodiphenyl ether in soil columns

The effects of organic matter, humic acid and Tween-80 on decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) behavior in soil columns were investigated. The BDE-209 transport was simulated in 4-cm-length soil columns whether organic matter was added or not. A high concentration of BDE-209 was washed out of the soil column in the presence of 500 mg L^?1 of Tween-80 for forming and suspending contaminated soil colloids in more than 4-cm-length ones (especially in 10-cm-length ones). While the humic acid was to facilitate BDE-209 adsorption onto soil particles (like soil colloids), Tween-80 was to enhance BDE-209 movement in porous media. The significant concentration averaged from 0.2 to 0.1 μg L^?1 in soil columns of length from 10 to 24 cm with Tween-80 addition by comparing the estimated marginal means (p < 0.05, SPSS). Contrasted with humic acid-binding BDE-209 in soil particles, Tween-80 could carry contaminant soil colloids into deeper layers and even affect the final effluents of 25-cm-length columns. It was visibly presented that the BDE-209 concentration in the effluents was mainly induced by Tween-80. Thus, BDE-209 was carried by soil colloids to transport and pollute longer and wider soil distance with the help of the effective promoters and stabilizers of Tween-80 and humic acid in soil matrix.     

The Effect of Contaminated Prey on Feeding,Activity, and Growth of Young-of-the-Year Bluefish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pomatomus saltatrix</Emphasis>, in the Laboratory

Young-of-the-year (YOY) bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix, reside in some contaminated estuaries of the mid-Atlantic bight during their early life history, and as a result of this exposure, they may bioaccumulate high levels of contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, and methyl mercury. Young-of-the-year bluefish from the Tuckerton, NJ, area of Great Bay (TK) were fed daily in a laboratory with common prey fish, menhaden, and mummichog from two sites: TK (reference) or Hackensack River (HR) (contaminated). Bluefish fed HR prey and the HR prey themselves had significantly elevated concentrations of PCBs, pesticides, and total mercury compared to TK counterparts. The bluefish fed contaminated prey for 4 months displayed significantly reduced feeding, spontaneous activity, and growth compared to the bluefish fed TK prey. Alterations of bluefish behavior and growth from exposure to contaminants may have detrimental effects on migration, overwinter survival, and recruitment success.     

Changes in nutritional values induced by butachlor in juvenile diploid and triploid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clarias gariepinus</Emphasis>

There is a paucity of information about the effects of environmental stressors on nutritional values in fish. This study investigated the effects of the organochlorine pesticide, butachlor, on key indicators of nutritional value in both diploid and triploid African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Amino acids (AA), fatty acids (FA), and the proximate composition (protein, lipid, moisture, and ash content) in the white muscle of full-sibling juvenile fish were measured following a 21-day exposure to graded butachlor concentrations [mean measured: 26.3, 48.4, and 66.1 µg/L]. No significant differences in AAs, FAs, protein, lipid, moisture, or ash content were observed between unexposed diploid and triploid fish. In diploids, exposure to butachlor significantly altered the concentrations of some of the AAs and FAs, and protein content, when compared to the control group. In triploid fish, however, butachlor treatments had no effect on the AA or proximate composition, but significantly changed the concentration of two individual FAs in the muscle. Butachlor treatments showed fewer changes in the nutritional values of triploid fish. This research is the first to study the nutritional values in any polyploid animals following the exposure to a contaminant.     

Joint toxic effects of heavy metals and atrazine on invasive plant species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solidago Canadensis L</Emphasis>.

In this study, the joint effects of Cd(Ⅱ), Pb(Ⅱ) and atrazine (ATR) on Solidago Canadensis L. were investigated. The results showed that soil containing Cd, Pb and ATR could inhibit root elongation of Solidago Canadensis L., and that there was a positive linear relationship between the inhibitory rate of root elongation and the concentrations of Pb(Ⅱ). The mixture of Cd(Ⅱ) and Pb(Ⅱ)-ATR in soil showed a significant adverse effect on root and shoot biomass of Solidago Canadensis L. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) contents increased slightly at the lower concentrations of Cd(Ⅱ)-ATR, then decreased when Cd(Ⅱ)-ATR concentrations were higher than those of 1.0 TUmix(Cd+ATR). The toxic effect of Pb(Ⅱ)-ATR on the ASA contents of Solidago Canadensis L. was greater than that of Cd(Ⅱ)-ATR. Soluble sugar contents firstly decreased and then increased with increasing concentrations of Cd(Ⅱ)-ATR and displayed fluctuation with increasing concentrations of Pb(Ⅱ)-ATR. Total protein contents in-creased with increasing concentrations of Cd(Ⅱ) and Pb(Ⅱ)-ATR , relative to the control sample. The NP-SH con-tents showed a significant increase up to 12.2 mg/gfw of Cd(Ⅱ)-ATR, followed by a significant decline to 4.5 mg/gfw after 14 days of exposure. The effect of Pb(Ⅱ)-ATR was similar to that of Cd(Ⅱ)-ATR but the amount of NP-SH was not higher than that of Cd(Ⅱ)-ATR.     

青藏高原中部地区表层土壤中多溴联苯醚的分布特征及影响因素

从青藏高原中部地区采集16个表层土壤样品,并对土壤中42种多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)同系物含量、有机碳含量、矿物含量及土壤粒径分布进行了测试分析,主要研究该区域土壤理化性质对PBDEs的含量、分布及同系物构成的影响。结果表明,PBDEs的含量范围为17.03～298.29 ng/kg(干重),其中低溴联苯醚(1～6溴)占总量的90%以上。研究还发现BDE-3在同系物中含量最高,其次为BDE-2和BDE-1。在所有42个样品中BDE-209均被检出,但平均含量仅为1.25 ng/kg。PBDEs成分组成表明它们主要来源于长距离的大气运移。研究还发现粘土矿物对PBDEs的影响结果与土壤有机碳相似,但影响效果更显著。相关性分析结果表明,在高原地区土壤粘土矿物是影响PBDEs分布的主要因素之一。     

Seasonal variation in biomarker responses of Donax trunculus from the Gulf of Annaba (Algeria): Implication of metal accumulation in sediments

The aim of the present study was to test biomarker responses in an edible mollusk, Donax trunculus L. (Mollusca, Bivalvia) associated with environmental pollution in the Gulf of Annaba (northeastern Algeria). The biomarkers selected were glutathione S-transferase (GST), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and metallothioneins (MTs). Samples were collected seasonally (September 2014, and January, April and July 2015) from two sites located over the Gulf of Annaba: El Battah and Sidi Salem. The results obtained reveal that autumn and winter were the two seasons that show an increase in GST activity, an inhibition of AChE activity and a high rate of MT. In addition, a decrease in AChE activity, an increase in both GST activity and MT levels in D. Trunculus collected from Sidi Salem in comparison with those of El Battah were observed. The biomarker responses at the Sidi Salem site reflect the presence of certain pro-oxidative compounds such as metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn and Fe) determined in sediments in winter (January) 2015. Moreover, metal concentrations, except Fe, were higher at Sidi Salem than at El Battah. Overall, the Gulf of Annaba remains contaminated by heavy metal. However, this metallic contamination is relatively low and the risks for local population via this edible species were also low.     

Sublethal Effects of Crude Oil on the Community Structure of Estuarine Phytoplankton

While the ecological impacts of crude oil exposure have been widely studied, its sublethal effects on phytoplankton community structure in salt marsh estuaries have not been well documented. The purpose of this study was to simulate oil spill conditions using a microcosm design to examine short-term (2 day) changes in phytoplankton community composition and total biomass following exposure to crude oil obtained from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and a mixture of Texas crude oils. Microcosm experiments were performed in situ in North Inlet Estuary near Georgetown, SC. A control and six replicated experimental treatments of crude oil additions at final concentrations of 10, 50, or 100 μl l⁻¹ of either Deepwater Horizon spill oil or the Texas crude mixture were incubated under in situ conditions. Photopigments were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography and community composition was determined using ChemTax. Total phytoplankton biomass (as chl a) declined with increasing crude oil concentrations. Prasinophytes, the most abundant microalga in both experiments, showed no response to oil exposure in one experiment and a significant negative response in the other. Diatoms euglenophytes and chlorophytes appeared relatively resistant to oil contamination at the exposure levels used in this study, maintaining or increasing their relative abundance with increasing oil concentrations. Chlorophytes and cyanobacteria increased in relative abundance while cryptophyte abundance decreased with increasing oil concentrations. The results of these experiments suggest that low levels of crude oil exposure may reduce total biomass and alter phytoplankton community composition with possible cascade effects at higher trophic levels in salt marsh estuaries.     

Quantifying the effect of humic matter on the emission of mercury from artificial soil surfaces

A set of surface samples was created using purified laboratory grade sand treated with 0.05 μg/g Hg as the HgCl₂ salt and various concentrations of purified humic and fulvic acids. Emissions of elemental Hg from these substrates to the atmosphere were inversely correlated with the organic content of the samples (99% confidence level). The greatest differences in Hg emissions were found between samples containing the lowest concentrations of humic matter (0% versus 0.01% humic, and 0.01% versus 0.1% humic), only small differences in Hg flux were found to exist for samples with higher concentrations of humic acid (1%, 5%, and 100%). This effect was independent of the type of humic substance used, with both humic and fulvic acids showing an inhibitory effect on surface Hg emissions.     

Influence of acid mine drainage on microbial communities in stream and groundwater samples at Guryong Mine,South Korea

The effects of acid mine drainage (AMD) in a stream and groundwater near an abandoned copper mine were characterized by physicochemical properties, bacterial community structure using denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis (DGGE), and microbial activity/diversity using Ecoplate technique. Based on DGGE fingerprints, the eubacterial community structures grouped into the stream water (GRS1, GRS2 and GRS3) and groundwater samples (GW1 and GW2), apparently based on differences in water temperature and the concentrations of dissolved oxygen, nitrate and sulfate. The most highly AMD-contaminated sample (GRS1) had additional α-Proteobacteria whereas the groundwater samples included additional β-Proteobacteria, suggesting the development of populations resistant to AMD toxicity under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively. Community level physiological activities on the 31 Ecoplate substrates suggested that the activities decreased with increasing concentrations of sulfate and heavy metals derived from AMD. The Shannon index showed that microbial diversity was greatest in GRS2, and lowest in GRS1, and was probably related to the level of AMD.     

Biosafety assessment of municipal wastewater after treatment by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serratia</Emphasis> sp. ISTVKR1

The previously described potent biodegrading bacterial strain Serratia sp. ISTVKR1 isolated from sludge of Vasant Kunj Sewage Treatment Plant (VK STP) was used for the study of detoxification of municipal wastewater contaminants with the help of in vitro bioassays conducted on human liver cancer cell line HepG2. The strain has previously been shown to reduce wastewater contaminant load as revealed by a sevenfold reduction in COD and removal of some organic contaminants in the GC–MS analysis of wastewater post-72-h bacterial treatment. Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and dioxin-like behavior of real municipal wastewater (collected from inlet of VK STP) was assessed before and after bacterial treatment using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), alkaline comet and 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) assays, respectively. The bacterial strain was inoculated into MSM broth (pH = 7.2) containing 50% v/v filter-sterilized influent of VK STP and incubated up to 240 h at 30 °C and 130 rpm. Physicochemical and toxicological analyses were performed for the culture samples. The results of bioassays revealed an increase in cell viability by 40.16% and a reduction in the % EROD activity by 58.4% in the 240-h bacteria-treated sample as compared to the 0-h sample. Genotoxicity as indicated by tail moment (TM) and olive tail moment (OTM) was found to reduce by five- and threefold, respectively, after 240-h bacterial treatment. The results of the study confirmed the potency of the bacterial strain in detoxification of wastewater contaminants.     

Evaluation of benzene exposure in adults and urinary s-phenylmercapturic acid in children living in Adelaide, South Australia

Benzene Exposure was evaluated in adults and children living in Adelaide, South Australia by measuring benzene and urinary s-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA). To determine of benzene exposure in each subject the personal passive samplers was used and samples were analyzed by gas chromatography system equipped to flame ionization detector. The level of SPMA was determined by competitive enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in children. The mean concentration of benzene in Summer and Winter were 1.62±1.43 and 1.36±0.87 ppb respectively. There was a significant difference between exposure to benzene for subjects with less and more than 6 hours activity over days of week (p<0.05). The mean urinary concentrations levels of SPMA adjusted to creatinene for children that living less and more than 200 meters distance from main road were 1.56 and 4.67 μmol/mol creatinene, respectively and the significant difference was seen in two groups (p<0.005). Data shows, that SPMA can be utilized as a biomarker for exposure to benzene in children. Exposure to benzene is more for children that living near to main road compare to other children. Adults have more activity in out side of home has more exposure to benzene than other people.     

即时合成Zn-Mg-Al层状双氢氧化物处理含Zn2+废水实验研究

在模拟含Zn2 废水中加入Mg2 和Al3 ,以NaOH为沉淀剂,研究金属盐水解即时合成层状双氢氧化物(LDH)去除Zn2 的可行性。详细探讨了体系终点pH值、配料中Mg2 /Zn2 摩尔比值及反应温度和时间对Zn2 去除率的影响,结合X射线衍射分析(XRD)探讨了Zn2 去除机理,并与化学沉淀法进行了比较。结果表明,实验条件下只有pH值显著影响Zn2 去除率(p<0.05),在9.0~11.0范围内去除效果最佳,达99%以上。通过XRD分析结合即时合成法特点,废水中Zn2 主要是在晶体生成阶段以Zn-Mg-Al三元LDH化合物形式被去除的。与化学沉淀法相比,即时合成法效果更好,适用pH值范围更广,用来处理含Zn2 废水更具优势。     

贵州水银洞卡林型金矿床首次发现大量次显微-显微可见自然金颗粒

在贵州水银洞卡林型金矿床原生富矿石的一条含砷黄铁矿细脉中发现有100余粒次显微-显微自然金颗粒(0.1~6μm),并具有清晰的显微岩相学结构。提出了该类型金矿次显微-显微可见自然金颗粒的形成过程可能与含Au热液-岩石相互作用过程中含Fe碳酸盐矿物溶解释放Fe的大量硫化物化而导致热液中Au的过饱和有关,含Fe碳酸盐赋矿围岩是形成高品位大型卡林型金矿床最重要的控制因素之一。     

Impact of Climate Change on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio vulnificus</Emphasis> Abundance and Exposure Risk

Vibrio species are marine bacteria that occur in estuaries worldwide; many are virulent human pathogens with high levels of antibiotic resistance. The average annual incidence of all Vibrio infections has increased by 41% between 1996 and 2005. V. vulnificus (Vv), a species associated with shellfish and occurring in the US Southeast, has ranges of temperature (16–33 °C) and salinity (5–20 ppt) dependencies for optimal growth. Increased water temperatures caused by atmospheric warming and increased salinity gradients caused by sea level rise raise concerns for the effect of climate change on the geographic range of Vv and the potential for increased exposure risk. This research combined monthly field sampling, laboratory analysis, and modeling to identify the current occurrence of Vv in the Winyah Bay estuary (South Carolina, USA) and assess the possible effects of climate change on future geographic range and exposure risk in the estuary. Vv concentrations ranged from 0 to 58 colony forming units (CFU)/mL, salinities ranged from 0 to 28 ppt, and temperature from 18 to 31 °C. A significant empirical relationship was found between Vv concentration and salinity and temperature that fit well with published optimal ranges for growth for these environmental parameters. These results, when coupled with an existing model of future specific conductance, indicated that sea level rise has a greater impact on exposure risk than temperature increases in the estuary. Risk increased by as much as four times compared to current conditions with the largest temporally widespread increase at the most upriver site where currently there is minimal risk.     

Effects of a proline solution cover on the geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of high-sulfur coal gangue

Batch experiments were conducted to comparatively evaluate the inhibition effects and mechanisms of a low-concentration (1%) proline solution cover on the release of pollutants from high-sulfur coal gangue. High-sulfur coal gangue was continuously immersed in a proline solution and in deionized water (as a control treatment) for 540 days. The results showed that the coal gangue in the control treatment was oxidized and generated leachate with poor water qualities, i.e., the leachate exhibited lower pH values, higher redox potential values, higher pollutant concentrations (SO₄^2?, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn), and high levels of acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. However, compared to the control treatment, the addition of the proline solution (1%) significantly improved the water quality of the leachate by significantly reducing the Eh values, the pollutant concentrations (SO₄^2?, Fe²⁺, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn), and the activity of acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and by significantly increasing the pH value to neutral. The proline treatment significantly inhibited the oxidation of coal gangue and the release of pollutants, mainly by inhibiting the activity of acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and by altering the heavy metal fractions and the mineralogical characteristics. Therefore, in engineering practice, workers should consider using an environmental friendly aqueous proline solution cover to achieve the in-situ control of pollutant releases from coal gangue dumps.