Towards a classification of organic enrichment in marine sediments based on biogeochemical indicators

A nomogram is developed to show that pH, redox potentials (Eh_NHE) and measures of dissolved sulfides (H₂S + HS⁻ + S²⁻)(total free S²⁻) can be used to classify organic enrichment impacts in marine sediments. The biogeochemical cycle of sulfur in marine sediments is described to show that changes in macrobenthic infauna community structure associated with high levels of organic matter supply result from stress due to oxygen deficiency (hypoxia and anoxia) and toxic effects of S²⁻. The changes reflect enhancement of microbial sulfate reduction under conditions of high organic matter sedimentation and the progressive formation of hypoxic–anoxic conditions measured by decreased Eh_NHE and increased concentrations of S²⁻. The nomogram provides a basis for classification of the oxic status of marine sediments based on changes in inter-related biological and biogeochemical variables along an organic enrichment gradient.     

Improved approaches to ecotoxicity testing of petroleum products

Crude oils produced in the North West shelf of Western Australia are highly volatile, a characteristic not shared by most of the Northern Hemisphere crude oils on which internationally accepted toxicity test protocols were developed. Because of this volatility and some other factors, the LC50 and EC50 values obtained from acute toxicity tests will be significantly affected by the changes of toxicant concentration in test solutions during the period of exposure. To address these issues all steps of a standard protocol for crude oil toxicity testing have been revised. A systematic study has been performed on factors which affect petroleum hydrocarbon solubilisation in aqueous systems during test solution preparations. The influence of mixing time, agitation energy and volume/interface ratio on a hydrocarbon concentration in a water-soluble fraction (WSF) was studied for heavy, medium and light crude oils. A study of the sensitivity of marine unicellular algae to WSF of crude oils was conducted with Isochrysis sp., Nannochloropsis-like sp. and Nitzchia closterium. Total concentrations of hydrocarbons dissolved in test solutions were estimated by UV-spectrometry and GC/FID chemical analyses. When the toxicant concentration decreased during the exposure period, the EC50 values derived from initial or final concentrations either underestimate or overestimate toxicity, respectively. Therefore, weighted average concentrations (WAC) calculated for the whole test period were recommended for expressing hydrocarbon concentrations in test solutions of crude oils. Toxicity indices calculated from WAC of total hydrocarbons for different crude oils can be compared regardless of the rates of hydrocarbon loss.     

Plastic pollution and the open burning of plastic wastes

The open burning of plastic wastes is a practice that is highly prevalent across the globe, toxic to human and environmental health, and a critical—but often overlooked—aspect of plastic pollution. Most of the countries where such burning is widespread have laws and policies in place against it; open burning continues nevertheless. In this article, using data from ethnographic fieldwork in urban and rural sites in India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Zambia, we examine local practices of open burning and investigate why regulations to tackle it have proven largely ineffective. Adopting a harm reduction approach, we then suggest preliminary measures to mitigate the health risks of open burning by targeting those plastics and packaging types that are most toxic when burned.     

铬(VI)对浮游植物生长率的影响(英文)

本工作使用一次培养法初步研究了Cr(VI)对菱形硅藻和隐藻的毒性,实验结果表明,当Cr(VI)浓度大于16ppb时,则对其生长率产生抑制作用,其72小时EC_(50)值分别为260ppb和230ppb.根据活性点位模式计算了Cr(VI)与藻体的结合常数,约为2×10~5藻体中Cr含量与培养液中Cr浓度有关,两者近似指数关系,根据藻体中Cr含量和溶液中Cr的浓度,估计每个硅藻细胞与Cr最大结合容量约为5×10~(-17)mol/cell.     

三苯基氯化锡对黑褐新糠虾的毒性效应

于 1 992年 7月在青岛胶州湾西岸采集黑褐新糠虾 ,经实验室常年培养驯化后作为实验材料 ,研究了三苯基氯化锡 (TPTC)的急性毒性效应及其对糠虾繁殖、生殖周期和种群的慢性毒性影响。结果表明 ,在急性毒性实验中 ,TPTC对糠虾的半致死浓度为 2 5× 1 0 - 9g/L( 2 4hLC50 )和 1 5× 1 0 - 9g/L( 4 8hLC50 ) ;慢性毒性实验结果表明 ,TPTC能影响糠虾种群的世代繁殖 ,2× 1 0 - 9g/L的TPTC能使糠虾首次生育的年龄延迟 3d ,产幼总数比对照组减少80 %以上 ,1× 1 0 - 9— 2× 1 0 - 9g/L的TPTC能导致糠虾生殖周期延长 3— 4d ,在生殖期内的死亡率上升 30 %— 55% ,暴露于 0 2 5× 1 0 - 9— 2 0 0× 1 0 - 9g/LTPTC中的糠虾其子代的在 6× 1 0 - 9g/LTPTC中存活能力下降。可以认为 ,1× 1 0 - 9g/L的TPTC可导致糠虾种群的衰亡。     

Interaction of Humic Substances and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) during the Biodegradation of PAHs

The influence of humic substances (HS) on the biodegradation of naphthalene, phenanthrene, and pyrene was studied. As a source of HS, water samples of a bog lake (Hohlohsee) were used. PAH degradation experiments, both in the presence and absence of HS were carried out. All investigated PAHs were degradable by the used bacterial mixed culture. A correlation between the number of aromatic rings of the PAHs and the influence of HS on biodegradation has been shown. Adding of HS led to a decrease in degradation rate in the case of naphthalene. By way of contrast, the presence of HS gave rise to an increase of degradation rate in the case of phenanthrene. The degradation processes of pyrene revealed a marked alteration in the presence of HS which could be deduced from the biochemical oxygen demand (t(1/2BOD_max) values). With regard to the total turnover of the PAHs, there was no noticeable difference between degradation experiments with and without HS. Analyses of the HS after degradation experiments using liquid chromatography coupled with DOC detection (LC/OCD) verify that there was no formation of stable associations between HS and PAHs or their metabolites. The determination of the toxicity of the degradation media as luminescence inhibition against Vibrio fischeri (Photobacterium phosphoreum) showed no detoxification as a result of the presence of HS.     

Visualization of gold nanoparticle on the microscopic picture of red blood cell: implication for possible risk of nanoparticle exposure

In medicine, there is limited knowledge on the toxicity of nanoparticles. In reproductive medicine, there has been limited knowledge on the effect of gold nanoparticle on the human red blood cell. In this work, the author performed a study to demonstrate if gold nanoparticle can be detected inside red blood cell on microscopic test. Chulalongkorn Univesity, Bangkok Thailand. This study was performed as an experimental study. Mixture of gold nanoparticle solution and blood sample was prepared and further analyzed. According to this work, accumulation of gold nanoparticle in the red blood cell can be observed after mixing the blood sample with gold nanoparticle solution. However, no significant destruction of the red cell can be seen. The effect of gold nanoparticle on red blood cell can be detected and the implication for the possible chronic toxicity of the accumulated gold nanoparticle in red cell is raised.

Issues in sediment toxicity and ecological risk assessment

This paper is based on a facilitated Workshop and Roundtable Discussion of key issues in sediment toxicology and ecological risk assessment (ERA) as applied to sediments that was held at the Conference on Dredged Material Management: Options and Environmental Considerations. The issues addressed included how toxicity is defined and perceived, how it is measured, and how it should be used within the context of ERA to support management decisions. The following conclusions were reached regarding scientific considerations of these issues. Toxicity is a measure of hazard and not a risk per se. Thus, toxicity testing is a means but not the end to understand risks of sediments. Toxicity testing cannot presently be replaced by chemical analyses to define hazard. Toxicity test organisms need to be appropriate to the problem being addressed, and the results put into context relative to both reference and baseline comparisons to understand hazard. Use of toxicity tests in sediment ERAs requires appropriate endpoints and risk hypotheses, considering ecological not just statistical significance, and recognizing that hazard does not equate to risk. Toxicity should be linked to population and community response to support decision-making, assessing possible genotypic adaptations that can influence risk estimates, and addressing uncertainty. Additionally, several key scientific issues were identified to improve future sediment ERAs, including the need to improve basic understanding of ecological mechanisms and processes, recognition of variability in the assessment process, and an improved focus and ability to assess risks to populations and communities.     

Removal of Nitro Aromatic Compounds from 2,4,6‐Trinitrotoluene Red Water Using 1,2‐Ethanediamine Modified Macroporous Polystyrene Microspheres

To remove nitro aromatic compounds (NACs) from 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT) red water, large‐pore‐size (pore size = 200 nm) polystyrene (PSt) microspheres were activated with chloroacetyl chloride followed by reaction with 1,2‐ethanediamine (EDA). Fourier transform IR analyses showed that the amino group was introduced onto PSt microspheres. Determination of the total amino group and primary amino densities suggested that the imino group was the functional group of EDA–PSt. Scanning electron microscope images and mercury porosimetry measurements indicated that the pore structure was well maintained during the reaction. After adsorption with EDA–PSt, 98.5% chemical oxygen demand and 99% acute toxicity of TNT red water was removed. As shown by HPLC and GC–MS, all the neutral and acid NACs in TNT red water were removed by EDA–PSt, while the basic NACs were not. The results showed that hydrogen bonding and electrostatic attraction were involved in adsorption. The adsorbed neutral and acid NACs were eluted using methanol and 0.1 mol L^?1 NaOH, respectively.     

Mercury biogeochemistry: Paradigm shifts,outstanding issues and research needs

Half a century of mercury research has provided scientists and policy makers with a detailed understanding of mercury toxicology, biogeochemical cycling and past and future impacts on human exposure. The complexity of the global biogeochemical mercury cycle has led to repeated and ongoing paradigm shifts in numerous mercury-related disciplines and outstanding questions remain. In this review, we highlight some of the paradigm shifts and questions on mercury toxicity, the risks and benefits of seafood consumption, the source of mercury in seafood, and the Arctic mercury cycle. We see a continued need for research on mercury toxicology and epidemiology, for marine mercury dynamics and ecology, and for a closer collaboration between observational mercury science and mercury modeling in general. As anthropogenic mercury emissions are closely tied to the energy cycle (in particular coal combustion), mercury exposure to humans and wildlife are likely to persist unless drastic emission reductions are put in place.