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At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Effects of DDT and piperonyl butoxide on the metabolic alterations in pigeon (Columbia livia).

Effect of acute doses of technical grade of dichloro diphenyl trichloro ethane (DDT) and piperonyl butoxide (PB) on hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 (Cyt. P450) and cytosolic glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity in pigeon were studied after 24 hours of treatment. A completely reverse trend of changes in Cyt. P450 and GST activity were found as increase in Cyt. P450 paralleled with decrease in GST activity following exposure to DDT. However, intensity of changes in Cyt. P450 was greater than that of GST. A dose dependent decrease in Cyt. P450 and GST activity was observed after PB treatment. The study may, therefore, throw some light on metabolic alterations in wild birds resulting from environmental pollution by DDT and allied chemicals.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Long-path measurement of atmospheric NO2 with an obstruction flashlight and a charge-coupled-device spectrometer.

A novel method of differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) is proposed and demonstrated to monitor the concentration of atmospheric pollutant gas. In contrast to conventional DOAS measurements with continuous light sources, the present method relies on white flashlights such as aviation obstruction lights that are generally installed on tall constructions. A simple detection system is devised by means of a telescope and a compact CCD spectrometer. A path length of 5.5 km allows us to measure atmospheric NO2 concentration with a detection limit of approximately 1 part per billion. We also discuss the possibility of deriving the aerosol optical thickness through the horizontal atmosphere from this pulsed DOAS measurement.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Metabolism of uniconazole-P in water-sediment systems under illumination.

Aerobic soil metabolism of uniconazole-P ([S]-E-1-[4-chlorophenyl]-4,4-dimethyl-2-[1,2,4-triazole-1-yl]-penten-3-ol) and the effect of illumination on metabolic profiles were studied in the water-sediment system when spiked to water. Uniconazole-P was gradually partitioned to the sediment with an aquatic half-life of 6.9 d in darkness with formation of bound residues. Illumination of the system from a xenon lamp (>290 nm) greatly accelerated the degradation of uniconazole-P via photoinduced isomerization between E- and Z-isomers with a subsequent intramolecular cyclization, and its aquatic half-life was greatly reduced to 0.6 d. Kinetic analysis based on compartment models suggested the possible contribution of photodegradation at the water-sediment interface, leading to more formation of the cyclized derivative in the sediment.

Geologic Sediments↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Photodegradation of selected herbicides in various natural waters and soils under environmental conditions.

The photochemical degradation of herbicides belonging to different chemical groups has been investigated in different types of natural waters (ground, river, lake, marine) and distilled water as well as in soils with different texture and composition. Studied herbicides and chemical groups included atrazine, propazine, and prometryne (s-triazines); propachlor and propanil (acetanilides); and molinate (thiocarbamate). The degradation kinetics were monitored under natural conditions of sunlight and temperature. Photodegradation experiments were performed in May through July 1998 at low concentrations in water samples (2-10 mg/L) and soil samples (5-20 mg/kg), which are close to usual field dosage. The photodegradation rates of all studied herbicides in different natural waters followed a pseudo-first order kinetics. The half-lives of the selected herbicides varied from 26 to 73 calendar days in waters and from 12 to 40 d in soil surfaces, showing that the degradation process depends on the constitution of the irradiated media. The presence of humic substances in the lake, river, and marine water samples reduces degradation rates in comparison with the distilled and ground water. On the contrary, the degradation in soil is accelerated as the percentage of organic matter increases. Generally, the photodegradation process in soil is faster than in water. The major photodegradation products identified by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques were the hydroxy and dealkylated derivatives for s-triazines, the dechlorinated and hydroxy derivative for the anilides, and the keto-derivative for the thiocarbamate, indicating a similar mode of degradation for each chemical category.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗
PubMed2001

Fate of the miraculous mineral--ban asbestos worldwide campaign.

Asbestos is a generic term used to describe natural mineral fibers found in the ground in many regions of the world. This cheap material with special chemical and physical properties that make it virtually indestructible was widely used in the 20th century. Within twenty years of the first industrial production, the public health hazards associated with asbestos started to come to light. Asbestos has become one of the most worrying industrial pollutants, since it poses a health hazard of asbestosis, lung cancer, mesotheliomas, and benign changes in the pleura. In spite of the WHO recommendations, environmental health criteria and their revision, asbestos is still around.

Asbestos↗
PubMed1999

[An analysis of nutritional and harmful components of vegetables grown in plastic greenhouses].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes in nutritional and harmful components of vegetables grown in plastic greenhouses. METHODS: In plastic greenhouses, microclimate and air concentrations of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, fluoride and respirable particulate were measured, and chlorophyll, total sugar, crude fiber, nitrite, fluoride, arsenic and some mineral elements in vegetables were determined as compared with those grown in the open-air fields. RESULTS: Greenhouse appeared a lower wind speed and darker illumination. Contents of chlorophyll a an b, total chlorophyll, reduced vitamin C, crude fiber in vegetables grown in greenhouse all were lower than those grown in open-air fields. Contents of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and phosphorous were all lower in the vegetables grown in greenhouse than those grown in open-air fields. The contents of chlorophyll reducing Vitamin C. CONCLUSION: Lower wind speed and inadequate illumination in greenhouse affected photosynthesis and uptake of water in vegetables causing changes in their nutritional components. But, no contamination of burning coal was found in vegetables grown in greenhouse.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2002

Recovery of non-target plants affected by airborne herbicides.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of airborne herbicides on the photosynthesis of non-target plants and to interpret and evaluate the observed effects airborne herbicides have on non-target plants. The study involved the exposition of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) at different growth stages for 24 h in a wind tunnel to a range of various concentrations (0.012 to 4.104 micrograms/m3) of the herbicide bromoxynil, an inhibitor of photosynthesis. By means of chlorophyll fluorescence induction analysis, the quantum yield of electron transport at photosystem II was calculated as phi PSII = (Fm'-Ft)/Fm'. In order to evaluate the ecological significance of the observed effects, the ability of the plants to recover was investigated. Results show, that their is a risk for sunflower plants of being affected by airborne herbicides; bromoxynil concentrations in ambient air > 0.265 microgram/m3 impair the photosynthetic activity of exposed leaves and accordingly > 0.611 microgram/m3 the photosynthetic activity of newly developed leaves. Compared to monitoring data of bromoxynil in the atmosphere, it can be concluded, that plants remote from agricultural fields may be not affected, whereas plants growing near treated fields are potentially at risk. However, it has to be taken into account that plants are able to recover from injury up to a certain concentration and exposure time. The ability to recover has been found to be related to the growth stage and the development stage of the leaf. Although younger plants are more sensitive than older plants, they can compensate a decrease in the photosynthetic activity better than older plants. Thus, the ability to recover has to be considered, when estimating the ecotoxicological potential of airborne herbicides on non-target plants and consideration should be given to implement this information into a non-target-risk assessment.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1992

[Hygienic investigation and evaluation of houses of Turfan countryside in Xinjiang].

Turfan Basin of Xinjiang is the hottest place in China. Hygienic investigation on two kinds of house in countryside and determination of indoor air quality were conducted. The physiological reaction of local people was also evaluated. The results showed that cave dwellings were warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, but natural lighting and ventilation were poor. In the winter, indoor air pollution was more severe. The physiological responses of local people to two kinds of houses did not show any significant difference.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed2004

[Photocatalytic functional ceramic and its speciality of photodecomposition].

Photocatalytic ceramic was prepared by coating photocatalytic membrane on ceramic matrix. The photocatalytic behavior of the TiO2 coated ceramic for degradation of oleic acid, ethylene, SO2, NOx and sterilization was studied by using XRD, chromatogram, in-situ IR and spectrophotometer. The results showed that the photocatalytic ceramic prepared by special conditions have the function of environmental conservation such as the photodegradating organic contaminants, removing inorganic baleful gas and killing bacteria. Degradation ratio of ethylene, oleic acid, SO2 and NOx reached 95%-100% respectively for the photocatalytic functional ceramic.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed1977

[Determination of weight concentration of dusts using automatic sample-collecting devices based on beta absorption and on the Tyndall effect].

Some automatic sample-collecting sets for measuring the ponderal concentration of dust have been tested. Such apparatuses are based on two different principles: beta ray absorption, and Tyndall effect. It is shown how, through the beta absorption apparatus, it is also possible to carry out absolute measurements, after evaluating obviously the possible matrix effects. Furthermore it is shown how the sample-collecting sets, based on Tyndall effect, open new prospects in their employement on machinery drainage processes, or in following the behaviour of dust phenomena. The two types of apparatus thus tested integrate each other, where an automatic control, particularly in working environments, is needed.

Air Pollution↗