Disposition and metabolism of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) in rainbow trout

In order to elucidate the metabolic fate of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) in fish and to thereby facilitate the assessment of the risks posed by this environmental toxin, we determined the whole body half-life, tissue distribution and metabolism of [³H TCDF in rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss), treated orally. A whole body biphasic elimination pattern resulted in the excretion of 60% of the administered chemical during the first 3 days, after which a much slower elimination-rate (half-life = 14 days) was observed. Significant amounts of water-soluble metabolites were found in both bile and liver. Of the TCDF-derived radioactivity in bile, approximately 50% represented glucuronide conjugates, predominantly 4-hydroxy-2,3,7,8-TCDF: substantial amounts of the sulfate conjugate of this same metabolite were also present. Except at early time points, muscle contained the predominant fraction of TCDF-derived radioactivity, amounting to 25–65% of the total radioactivity present in the fish. More than 95% of the radioactivity present in muscle represented unmetabolized TCDF.     

The abundance and distribution of free-living nematodes from two Canadian Pacific beaches

Free-living marine nematodes at two littoral sites near Vancouver, Canada were studied over a 1-year period. Sixty-four species were found at a Belcarra Park site, with a maximum nematode density of 6·7 × 10⁵ m^?2 and 24 species at Iona Island, with a maximum density of 1·6 × 10⁵ m^?2. At both sites most of the nematodes occurred in the upper 2 cm of the 6 cm depth of sediment examined, and the vertical distribution of most species remained constant during the year. The distribution of the nematodes in relation to some physical parameters is discussed. The occurrence of certain species suggests that they have a worldwide distribution.     

Evaluating the impact of climate change in threshold values of thermodynamic indices during pre-monsoon thunderstorm season over Eastern India

Natural Hazards - The present study analyses thermodynamic indices variation over three sites of eastern Indian region: Bhubaneswar, Kolkata and Ranchi, associated with pre-monsoon thunderstorms...