Validation and Application of Plants as Biomonitors of Trace Element Atmospheric Pollution – A Co-Ordinated Effort in 14 Countries

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) organized a co-ordinated research project (CRP) on Validation and application of plants as biomonitors of trace element atmospheric pollution analysed by nuclear and related techniques involving 14 participating countries. The CRPs objective was to identify appropriate bioindicators for local and/or regional application and validate them for general air pollution monitoring. Activities included quantification studies, research into spatial and time resolution for particular organisms, and physiological studies. A number of suitable bioindicators were identified in different parts of the globe and tested during the CRP. Sampling strategies were reviewed and the recommended approach adopted by the group. Appropriate sample preparation procedures were assessed and harmonised to the degree allowed by different geographic and climatic conditions in the participating countries. Two interlaboratory comparison exercises were carried out on lichen and moss materials. Results confirmed definite improvement in analytical performance of the participating laboratories, but also revealed possible inconsistencies due to different sample processing procedures. Several monitoring surveys were carried out and consequently pollution maps drawn for extended areas or countries. Overall results confirmed applicability of lower plants for assessing the degree of atmospheric pollution and provided several countries with effective monitoring tools not used before.     

Concentrations of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in various marine organisms in relation to those in sediments and to trophic level

Sediments and marine organisms such as mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), fish (Mullus barbatus, Serranus scriba), crabs (Polybius henslowi) and shrimp-like crustaceans (mysids, euphausiids) were sampled on European coasts, France, Spain) and analysed for their PAH content by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The PAH concentrations determined in the organisms were significantly negatively correlated with logK_ow values, but to different extents according to the species. This was explained by the greater exposure of the organisms to the lower molecular weight compounds with differences resulting from different feeding habits, habitat, and biotransformation capacities of the organisms in relation to trophic levels. The influence of these observations on the use of different sentinel species in biomonitoring programmes is discussed.     

基于"标准化"背角无齿蚌(Anodonta woodiana)对太湖五里湖重金属污染的主动监测

将人工繁育的"标准化"背角无齿蚌(Anodonta woodiana)移殖至太湖五里湖,并以仍养殖在未受污染的中国水产科学研究院淡水渔业研究中心南泉基地的同批蚌作为对照,进行为期9个月的主动监测研究.每3个月回收一次蚌样,应用电感耦合等离子质谱仪(ICP-MS)测定15种重金属(Al、Cr、Mn、Fe、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Mo、Ag、Cd、Ba、Tl和Pb)的含量.结果表明,南泉基地对照组和五里湖移殖组的蚌样对重金属均产生了明显的生物积累.培养3个月的五里湖移殖组蚌样中As的含量显著高于同期南泉基地对照组,而前者Mn、Fe、Zn和Ba含量显著低于后者;培养6个月的五里湖移殖组蚌样中Al和Pb的含量显著低于同期南泉基地对照组;培养9个月的五里湖移殖组蚌样中Pb含量显著低于同期南泉基地对照组.然而,南泉基地对照组和五里湖移殖组蚌样中重金属(Cr、Cu、As、Cd和Pb)含量均低于我国及国际上的相关标准.培养3、6和9个月的南泉基地对照组及五里湖移殖组蚌样的重金属污染指数分别为1.8、1.8,2.4、2.1和8.3、16.8,均值综合污染指数分别为0.0218、0.0289,0.0337、0.0218和0.0560、0.0732,属于正常背景水平,并且两水体蚌样的重金属污染指数和均值综合污染指数无显著差异,提示五里湖和南泉基地均未受到明显的重金属污染.     

海产腹足类性畸变现象的形态特征

本文选取我国东南沿海的重要港口海口、北海、湛江、汕头和厦门港等作为海产腹足类性畸变现象的现场调查区，结果发现有11种海产腹足类存在性畸变。文中对分布广泛、易采集、性畸变现象普遍的疣荔枝螺的性畸变特征的解剖观察结果进行了详细的描述，同时对其他几种海产腹足类性畸变特性作了对比。根据研究结果将疣荔枝螺性畸变雌体的阴茎和输精管的畸变程度划分为5个阶段。     

Uranium Isotopes, Metals and Other Elements in Lichens and Tree Barks Collected in Bosnia–Herzegovina

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) performed field surveys at 15 sites in Bosnia–Herzegovina where depleted uranium (DU) ammunition was used by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) during the Balkans conflict (1994–1995). During the field missions, the Italian Environmental Protection Agency (APAT) evaluated airborne contamination due to DU dusts or aerosol particles, generated at the time of the conflict by the impact of DU ammunition on hard targets, using lichens and tree barks as biomonitors. Each sample was analyzed by alpha-spectrometry for DU determination. The ²³⁴U/²³⁸U activity concentration ratios were used to distinguish natural from anthropogenic uranium. This paper reports the data obtained by the UNEP investigation, including (non-radioactive) metal and other element concentrations in lichen and tree bark samples measured by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The results indicated: (i) lichens and tree barks are sensitive bio-accumulators of past airborne contamination by depleted uranium dusts; (ii) 8 years after the conflict, environmental DU contamination is still present at some of the target sites; and (iii) the highest concentrations of most non-radioactive elements were found at sites used for ammunition destruction.     

Lichens as Biomonitors of Depleted Uranium in Kosovo

This paper reports the results of a study using lichens as biomonitors to investigate the environmental distribution of depleted uranium (DU) at selected Kosovo sites as a consequence of the use of DU ordnance during the conflict of 1999. The results suggested that the use of DU ammunitions did not cause a diffuse environmental contamination in such a way to have caused a detectable U enrichment in lichens. Also isotopic ²³⁵U/²³⁸U measurements did not indicate the presence of DU particles in lichens, except for some samples at a heavily shelled site, which resulted contaminated by DU.     

Air Pollution Studies in Central Russia (Tver and Yaroslavl Regions) Using the Moss Biomonitoring Technique and Neutron Activation Analysis

Data of 34 elements, including heavy metals, halogens, rare earth elements, U, and Th in 139 moss samples, collected in Central Russia in 2000–2002 in the Tver and Yaroslavl regions and in the northern part of the Moscow region, are presented. Factor analysis with VARIMAX rotation was applied to identify possible sources of the elements determined in the mosses. The seven resulting factors represent crust, vegetation and anthropogenic components. Some of the factors were interpreted as being associated with ferrous smelters (Fe, Zn, Sb, Ta); combination of non-ferrous smelters and other industries (Mn, Co, Mo, Cr, Ni, W); an oil-refining plant, and oil combustion at the thermal power plant (V, Ni). The geographical distribution patterns of the factor scores are also presented. Dependency equations of elemental content in mosses versus distance from the source were derived.     

湖北清江流域叹气沟河底栖动物群落结构与水质生物学评价

2006年4月至2007年3月.对清江流域上游一二级支流--叹气沟河的大型底柄动物群落结构进行了深入研究,并利用生物指数对河流水质进行了评价.结果表明,共采集到大型底栖动物82种,其中水生昆虫7目、27科、45属、70种.群落表现出明显的时空特点,具边缘效应的第2采样点物种最丰富,4月份物种最多,达61种;群落春季的多样性最高,依次为夏季、冬季、秋季;各微生境中共有种占据优势,物种相似性均大于60%;功能摄食群则以收集者占优,共计达55种.群落密度在4月份达到最大,为3293ind./m2;而生物量则在12月份达到最大.为163g/m2.采用Shannon多样性指散、生物指数和科级水平生物指数对叹气沟河水质评价的结果是该河流水质比较清洁.     

Hepatic 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity in eel (Anguilla anguilla) from the Thames Estuary and comparisons with other United Kingdom Estuaries

Hepatic microsomal 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities (indicative of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs)) were measured in eel Anguilla anguilla from the Thames Estuary. Fish were collected from up to 13 sites during November 1997, May and August 1998 and October 1999. Throughout this period no clear seasonal variation could be identified at every site along the Thames. However, during the summer months, fish sampled from sites in the middle to the upper estuary (Woolwich, Greenhithe and West Thurrock) reported up to 3-fold higher EROD activities compared to sites either at the upper reaches (Richmond and Brentford) at the same time of the year, or fish sampled in winter, along the entire length of the estuary. A laboratory exposure experiment demonstrated a 3-fold elevation of EROD activity 2 days after injection with β-naphthoflavone (β-NF). However, higher levels of activity could be determined in fish sampled from the Weston canal near the Merseyside. The lowest levels of A. anguilla EROD activity were observed in fish sampled from the upper reaches of the River Tamar, Devon, and were comparable to activities determined in fish from the Wear and Humber estuaries. A. anguilla sampled along the Thames, Tyne and Tees estuaries reported between 2.5- and 7-fold higher EROD activities compared to fish collected from the Tamar. These results indicate that a low to moderate induction of A. anguilla CYP1A had occurred (indicative of low to moderate exposure to PAHs and planar PCBs) in fish collected from the Thames, Tyne, Wear, Tees, Humber and Tamar estuaries. However, the highest level of EROD activity was observed in fish from the Weston Canal (Merseyside).     

Seabirds seen in the northern Tasman Sea in winter

The distribution of birds in the northern Tasman Sea was observed during August and September 1967 from r.v. Argo. Subantarctic species (Diomedea exulans, D. melanophris and Daption capensis) ranged further north in the western than in the eastern Tasman Sea, probably because western waters have a higher phosphate content and hence contain more food.

New northernmost sightings were recorded for Pachyptila sp., Pterodroma macroptera, Pelecanoides sp. and Procellaria cinereus.