Degradation of Adsorbed Sarin on Activated Carbons: A 31P‐MAS‐NMR Study

The fate of the OP nerve agent isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate (sarin) on granular activated and metal‐impregnated activated carbons that are used in gas‐mask filters was investigated by means of ³¹P magic‐angle‐spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy. The results show that most of the adsorbed sarin on extensively dried carbons decomposes with a half‐life of 5–12 days. A MAS‐NMR signal of the degradation product isopropyl methylphosphonic acid (IMPA) appears in the spectra of sarin on non‐impregnated carbons. The IMPA signal is not visible in the spectra from metal‐impregnated carbons, probably due to strong binding of the acid molecule to paramagnetic Cr³⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions. Exposure of BPL and ASC carbons to air of 53% relative humidity shortens the degradation time by approximately an order of magnitude. Wetting shortens the half‐life of sarin on BPL carbon to approximately 2 hours.     

Disinfection by-products and ecotoxicity of ballast water after oxidative treatment – Results and experiences from seven years of full-scale testing of ballast water management systems

Since 2005, five different ballast water management systems (BWMSs) based on chlorination treatment have been tested by Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) according to guidelines from the International Maritime Organization (IMO). 25% and >50% of all the tested discharge samples exhibited acute and chronic toxic effects on algae, respectively. In most cases this toxicity was plausibly caused by a high free residual oxidant (FRO) level (>0.08 mg Cl/l). Of the 22 disinfection by-products (DBPs) that were identified in treated water at discharge, four compounds were at times found at concentrations that may pose a risk to the local aquatic environment. However, there seemed to be no clear indication that the measured DBP concentrations contributed to the observed algal toxicity. The addition of methylcellulose instead of lignin in the test water to comply with IMO requirements seemed to limit the formation of DBP.     

The use of bioluminescent dinoflagellates as an environmental risk assessment tool

A novel toxicity method to determine sublethal and lethal effects of manmade contaminants on the bioluminescence output from marine dinoflagellates has been developed and tested over the course of 16 years. The toxicity system, QwikLite™, was developed for the sole purpose of evaluating the potential toxicity of various materials used in bay sediments, storm water discharges, industrial discharges from Naval facilities, and antifoulant paints. Bioluminescence inhibition was observed in the following dinoflagellates: Lingulodinium polyedrum (formerly known as Gonyaulax polyedra), Ceratocorys horrida, Pyrocystis noctiluca, Pyrocystis lunula, Pyrocystis fusiformis, and Pyrophacus steinii. Cultured cells were exposed to various concentrations of contaminants from hours through 10 days. Further application with bioluminescent dinoflagellates in a variety of toxicity testing schemes have shown that these species can be used as a screening assay organism in lieu of the more costly, labor intensive bioassays presently in use.     

A comparison of acute and chronic toxicity tests used to examine the temporal stability of a gradient in copper tolerance of Hediste diversicolor from the Fal estuary, Cornwall, UK

The aim of this study was to use two different toxicity tests to verify the existence of a gradient in tolerance along Rostronguet Creek. Hediste diversicolor was collected from five populations in the Fal estuary previously shown to vary in copper tolerance. Exposure to 4 mgL(-1) of copper in an acute assay demonstrated that Mylor Creek worms were sensitive (LT(50) 86 h) and the tolerance of Rostronguet Creek worms increased moving upstream from the mouth of the creek (LT(50)s 100-258 h). There was no significant difference in tolerance between Mylor worms and worms from the mouth of Rostronguet Creek. This is in agreement with a previous study [Grant, A., Hateley, J.G., Jones, N.V., 1989. Mapping the ecological impact of heavy metals on the estuarine polychaete Nereis diversicolor using inherited metal tolerance. Marine Pollution Bulletin 20, 235-238] and demonstrates temporal stability of the gradient. Copper tolerance was also measured using a chronic toxicity test run for 90 d using step-wise increases in challenge concentration. A significant difference in tolerance was shown between populations from Mylor Creek and those at the mouth of Rostronguet Creek, which has not been reported previously. Experimental protocol was therefore an important factor in detecting population variation in tolerance.     

赤潮异弯藻毒性及毒性来源的初步研究

以一种标准实验生物卤虫ArtemiasalinaLeach为实验材料 ,初步研究了一种鱼毒性赤潮藻———赤潮异弯藻Heterosigmaakashiwo的毒性及其来源。结果表明 ,赤潮异弯藻能强烈抑制卤虫的运动能力 ,0 .1、1 .5、6和 2 4h时 ,赤潮异弯藻对卤虫运动的半影响浓度分别为 1 .5× 1 0 4 、7.5× 1 0 3、4.5× 1 0 3、3× 1 0 3cells/ml,但在较低浓度 3× 1 0 3cells/ml的赤潮异弯藻中 ,经过48h,卤虫的运动能力能够恢复到正常水平。通过对该藻各组分 :藻液 (algalculture)、藻细胞悬浮液 (re suspendedcells)、去藻过滤液 (cell freemedium)、藻细胞内容物 (cellcontents)和藻细胞碎片 (cellfragments)的毒性比较 ,发现藻液、藻细胞悬浮液和藻细胞碎片对卤虫的活力有显著抑制作用 ,而去藻过滤液及藻细胞内容物无影响 ,结合致毒途径藻细胞结构 ,可以推断毒性物质来源于藻细胞表面。经苯酚硫酸法和紫外可见光范围的吸收扫描 ,结合该藻藻的细胞结构报道结果 ,分离到的毒性组分推断为多糖类物质 ,本实验结果将有助于了解赤潮异弯藻对海洋生物危害的毒性作用机制