The response of the lower respiratory tract of mice and hamsters to chronic inhalation of ozonized gasoline fumes: a light and electron microscopical study.
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Air Pollution↗
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Particles in intravenous solutions: a review.
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Air Pollution↗
Seasonal patterns of ascorbate in the needles of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees: correlation analyses with atmospheric O3 and NO2 gas mixing ratios and meteorological parameters.
In the present field study the role of ascorbate in scavenging the harmful atmospheric trace gases O3 and NO2 was examined. For this purpose ascorbate contents were determined in needles of adult Scots pine trees (Pinus sylvestris L.) during three consecutive years. Ascorbate contents were correlated with ambient tropospheric O3 and NO2 concentrations and with meteorological parameters. The results showed a strong correlation of atmospheric O3 but not of atmospheric NO2 concentrations with the apoplastic content of ascorbate during the seasonal course. Ascorbate contents in needle extracts did not correlate with ambient trace gas concentrations. In the apoplastic space, but not in needle extracts ascorbate contents correlate highly significantly with global radiation. From these results it is assumed that apoplastic ascorbate in Scots pine needles is adapted to the actual atmospheric O3 concentration to mediate immediate detoxification of O3, while the atmospheric O3 concentration itself is largely dependent on light intensity.
Air Pollutants↗
Simultaneous measurements of atmospheric pollutants and visibility with a Long-Path DOAS system in urban areas.
In this paper, the applicability of a Long-Path Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (LP-DOAS) system was checked for the feasibility of the simultaneous measurement of trace gases (such as 03, NO2, SO2, and HCHO) and atmospheric visibility (light extinction by aerosols) in Asian urban areas. Field studies show that an LP-DOAS system can simultaneously measure the key pollutants (such as O3, NO2, SO2, and HCHO) at detection limits in the ppb/sub-ppb range as well as the Mie extinction coefficient with an uncertainty of approximately 0.1 km(-1) at time resolution of a few minutes. It is thus concluded that the use of LP-DOAS system is feasible for simultaneous measurement of gaseous pollutants as well as an atmospheric extinction coefficient which is tightly bound to fine particulate concentration.
Aerosols↗
Genotoxic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic hazards in the marine environment, with special reference to the Mediterranean Sea.
Genotoxic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic hazards arising out of pollution in the marine environment are discussed in this article, with special reference to the situation in the Mediterranean area. A number of chemical compounds or complex mixtures relevant to marine pollution, either natural or of anthropogenic origin, are tentatively listed, along with protective factors which may play a counteracting role in the same environment. Harmful substances tend to undergo interactions and transformations in seawater, sediments, and marine biota, due to physical, chemical, microbial, or light-mediated mechanisms. Bioaccumulation phenomena in marine organisms may result from food-chain biomagnification processes or from concentration of pollutants by filter feeders. A variety of sources can account for marine pollution by genotoxic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic compounds, but there is a relative paucity of analytical data concerning the Mediterranean. Metabolic transformations of xenobiotics occur in all marine organisms, the biochemical mechanisms in fish being comparable to those which have been extensively investigated in mammals. Induction of metabolic pathways, and especially of the mixed-function oxygenase system, represents the earliest warning signal of exposure to pollutants. Occurrence of neoplastic diseases is documented by experimental and field studies in marine vertebrates as well as in invertebrates. The association with local pollution phenomena has been recognized in several studies, but other etiopathogenetic factors may be also involved, and in some cases tumors have been reported to be unrelated to chemical pollution. Genotoxic agents have been detected by means of suitable techniques in seawater, sediments, and marine organisms. Several studies have investigated the presence of carcinogen-DNA adducts, DNA damage and repair processes, and cytogenetic alterations, such as chromosomal aberrations, sister-chromatid exchanges, and micronuclei, in tissues of marine organisms. However, monitoring of these end-points under field conditions encounters some limitations and problems. Even more fragmentary is the information on teratogenic effects in marine organisms, although interesting test systems have been set up. On the whole, a quite extensive database on all these toxicological issues is already available in the literature, but further studies are warranted for an adequate assessment of genotoxic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic hazards, and possibly counteracting factors in the marine environment, and specifically in the Mediterranean Sea.
Animals↗
An evaluation of the LPG vehicles program in the metropolitan area of Mexico City.
The environmental agency in the metropolitan area of Mexico City has launched a program to introduce more energy-efficient modes of transport, one of which is the use of alternative and less polluting fuels. With the perspective in mind, a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fleet of vehicles is exempt of the mandatory "one day without a car" program if the emission of pollutants is below the standard authorized for that specific purpose. Today, about 28,000 light-duty vehicles and heavy-duty trucks circulate in the area, most of them as aftermarket converted vehicles. In this work, we evaluated regulated exhaust emission and other parameters on 134 representative vehicles of that fleet. From the data obtained, an estimate of emission factors and their contribution to the global emission in the metropolitan area is provided. It is concluded that more than 95% of the in-use vehicles using LPG presented regulated emissions which exceeded in one or more the environmental regulations values required for certification. The poor maintenance of the vehicles and the type of conversion kit installed could be the culprits of the results obtained.
Air Pollution↗
Synergistic relationships in algal-bacterial microcosms for the treatment of aromatic pollutants.
The potential of algal-bacterial microcosms was studied for the biodegradation of salicylate, phenol and phenanthrene. The isolation and characterization of aerobic bacterial strains capable of mineralizing each pollutant were first conducted. Ralstonia basilensis was isolated for salicylate degradation, Acinetobacter haemolyticus for phenol and Pseudomonas migulae and Sphingomonas yanoikuyae for phenanthrene. The green alga Chlorella sorokiniana was then cultivated in the presence of the pollutants at different concentrations, showing increasing inhibitory effects in the following order: salicylate < phenol < phenanthrene. The synergistic relationships in the algal-bacterial microcosms were clearly demonstrated, since for the three contaminants tested, a substantial removal (>85%) was recorded only in the systems inoculated with both algae and bacteria and incubated under continuous lighting. This study presents, to our knowledge, the first reported case of photosynthesis-enhanced biodegradation of toxic aromatic pollutants by algal-bacterial microcosms in a one-stage treatment.
Acinetobacter↗
Uptake and biotransformation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) by microplantlet suspension culture of the marine red macroalga Portieria hornemannii.
Microplantlets of the marine red macroalga Portieria hornemannii efficiently removed the explosive compound 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) from seawater. Photosynthetic, axenic microplantlets (1.2 g FW/L) were challenged with enriched seawater medium containing dissolved TNT at concentrations of 1.0, 10, and 50 mg/L. At 22 degrees C and initial TNT concentrations of 10 mg/L or less, TNT removal from seawater was 100% within 72 h, and the first-order rate constant for TNT removal ranged from 0.025 to 0.037 L/gFW h under both illuminated conditions (153 microE/m(2)s, 14:10 LD photoperiod) and dark conditions. Two immediate products of TNT biotransformation, 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene and 4-amino-2,6-dintrotoluene, were identified in the liquid culture medium, with a maximum material balance recovery of 29 mole%. Only trace levels of these products and residual TNT were found within the fresh cell biomass. Removal of TNT by P. hornemannii microplantlets at initial concentrations of 1.0 or 10 mg/L did not affect the respiration rate. At an initial TNT concentration of 10 mg/L, net photosynthesis decreased towards zero, commensurate with the removal of dissolved TNT from seawater, whereas at an initial TNT concentration of 1.0 mg/L, the net photosynthesis rate was not affected.
Biodegradation, Environmental↗
Effects of light on the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of benzo(a)pyrene and an oil refinery effluent in the newt.
The genotoxicity and/or toxicity of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) were evaluated under different lighting conditions in larvae and embryos of the newt Pleurodeles waltl. Visible light alone (1,220 lx; 2.1 mW/cm2), UVA alone (250 microW/cm2), or BaP alone (500, 50, 25, 12.5 ppb) had no toxic effects on the larvae. Conversely, toxic effects were observed in animals exposed to BaP (500 ppb)+daylight, or BaP (> or = 25 ppb)+UVA. BaP solutions (50 or 12.5 ppb) were irradiated for 24 hr (Irr BaP) prior to being assayed in the dark. The genotoxicity of BaP (50 ppb) as evaluated in the micronucleus test (on day 8) was halved by its previous exposure to UVA, and was abolished at the lowest concentration (12.5 ppb). In other experiments, the larvae were exposed alternatively to BaP or Irr BaP (18 hr in the dark) and UVA (6 hr in water), every day for 8 days. All animals that had accumulated non-irradiated BaP (50 ppb) showed signs of severe toxicity, and 90% died before the end of the test. On the other hand, irradiated BaP (50 ppb) was 4-fold less toxic and half as genotoxic as non-irradiated BaP. In addition, exposure of the animals to UVA alone for 4 days prior to treatment with BaP did not affect the genotoxicity or toxicity of this hydrocarbon. In the dark, the embryotoxicity of BaP was markedly attenuated by the presence of the jelly coats (10% vs. 24%). With dejellied embryos, comparable mortality (24%) was observed after exposure to 25 ppb BaP for 54 or 312 hr. Although UVA alone did not affect growth of the embryos, the toxicity of BaP was enhanced by the combined action of the two agents together or in succession (BaP+UVA or BaP then UVA). Larvae were treated with an oil refinery effluent (EF). At the concentration employed (125 ml/l), EF was not found to be genotoxic in the dark. However, in animals exposed to both EF and UVA, there was a progressive increase in level of micronucleated erythrocytes with increasing duration of daily exposure to UVA (9, 15, 24 hr). Moreover, the genotoxic potential of irradiated EF+UVA was systematically below that of non-irradiated EF+UVA for all durations of exposure to ultraviolet light. Irradiation of this type of effluent might help reduce its harmful effects on aquatic species. Our results also suggest that metabolic activation is not necessary for hydrocarbons to induce toxic effects.
Animals↗
Degradation of parent compounds of nine organophosphorus insecticides in Ontario surface and ground waters under controlled conditions.
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Chromatography, Gas↗
Valve movement response of the mussel mytilus galloprovincialis to metals (Cu, Hg, Cd and Zn) and phosphate industry effluents from Moroccan Atlantic coast.
Valve activity was measured in the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in response to sublethal concentrations of four metals (Hg, Cu, Zn and Cd) and two phosphate industry effluents from the Atlantic coast of Morocco. Valve movements were monitored using a proximity inductive sensor which could display all activity figures from full closure to wide opening of the shell valves. In a 1 h exposure experiments, all metals induced a decrease in the time of normal opening and the appearance of sequences of stress behaviour, including enhanced valve adductions and complete closure at high concentrations. Mercury (tested from 5 to 75 microg Hg l(-1)) was the most toxic to the valve activity, with a threshold effective concentration at 10 microg Hg l(-1) and full valve closure occurring at 50 microg Hg l(-1). Copper (15-150 microg Cu l(-1)) showed a toxic effect starting at threshold concentration of 20 microg Cu l(-1) and induced full valve closure at 150 microg Cu l(-1). Zinc (100-500 microg Zn l(-1)) was effective in reducing the time of normal opening (threshold concentration at 100 microg Zn I(-1)) but no complete closure was recorded in any of the tested concentrations. For cadmium (1000-5000 microg Cd l(-1)), the valve activity was insensitive for exposures under 2000 microg Cd l(-1). Results for the testing of several samplings of the phosphate industry effluents (Safi and Jorf Lasfar) showed that their toxicity varied over the time. The effluent of the Jorf Lasfar plant (2-9.4%) was, however, more toxic than that of Safi (1-25%). In the light of these results, the sensitivity of the valve activity of Mytilus galloprovincialis to pollutants and its usefulness for in situ monitoring of coastal pollution in Morocco are discussed.
Animals↗
Plant responses to atmospheric CO2 enrichment with emphasis on roots and the rhizosphere.
Empirical records provide incontestable evidence of global changes: foremost among these changes is the rising concentration of CO(2) in the earth's atmosphere. Plant growth is nearly always stimulated by elevation of CO(2). Photosynthesis increases, more plant biomass accumulates per unit of water consumed, and economic yield is enhanced. The profitable use of supplemental CO(2) over years of greenhouse practice points to the value of CO(2) for plant production. Plant responses to CO(2) are known to interact with other environmental factors, e.g. light, temperature, soil water, and humidity. Important stresses including drought, temperature, salinity, and air pollution have been shown to be ameliorated when CO(2) levels are elevated. In the agricultural context, the growing season has been shortened for some crops with the application of more CO(2); less water use has generally, but not always, been observed and is under further study; experimental studies have shown that economic yield for most crops increases by about 33% for a doubling of ambient CO(2) concentration. However, there are some reports of negligible or negative effects. Plant species respond differently to CO(2) enrichment, therefore, clearly competitive shifts within natural communities could occur. Though of less importance in managed agro-ecosystems, competition between crops and weeds could also be altered. Tissue composition can vary as CO(2) increases (e.g. higher C: N ratios) leading to changes in herbivory, but tests of crop products (consumed by man) from elevated CO(2) experiments have generally not revealed significant differences in their quality. However, any CO(2)-induced change in plant chemical or structural make-up could lead to alterations in the plant's interaction with any number of environmental factors-physicochemical or biological. Host-pathogen relationships, defense against physical stressors, and the capacity to overcome resource shortages could be impacted by rises in CO(2). Root biomass is known to increase but, with few exceptions, detailed studies of root growth and function are lacking. Potential enhancement of root growth could translate into greater rhizodeposition, which, in turn, could lead to shifts in the rhizosphere itself. Some of the direct effects of CO(2) on vegetation have been reasonably well-studied, but for others work has been inadequate. Among these neglected areas are plant roots and the rhizosphere. Therefore, experiments on root and rhizosphere response in plants grown in CO(2)-enriched atmospheres will be reviewed and, where possible, collectively integrated. To this will be added data which have recently been collected by us. Having looked at the available data base, we will offer a series of hypotheses which we consider as priority targets for future research.
Journal Article↗
Evaluation by electron microscopy techniques of asbestos contamination in industrial, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical talcs.
Talc powders from national and international markets were analyzed in order to assess their fiber contents and the proportion of asbestos in the fibrous material. Samples of talc powders used as excipients in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations demonstrated fiber contents up to 30% of total particles. About a half of the talc powders revealed the presence of asbestos: in five samples chrysotile (a serpentine asbestos) was present, in the other ones tremolite and anthophyllite (an amphibole asbestos). The amounts of asbestos vary up to 90% in the different samples of the fibrous fraction. About 75% of observed asbestos fibers were thinner than 0.4 micron, i.e., below the resolving power of light microscopy which until now was the most utilized technique for evaluating the environmental pollution due to asbestos.
Asbestos↗
Photolysis of spinosyns in seawater, stream water and various aqueous solutions.
Spinosad, a reduced-risk insecticide, contains primarily two active compounds, spinosyns A and D that are fermentation products of bacterium Saccharopolyspora spinosa. It is currently used to control fruit flies in Hawaii, USA. In this study, we investigated photodegradation of spinosyns A and D, respectively, in seawater, stream, tap and distilled-deionized waters under various light sources. Photodegradation of the two chemicals was also studied in various aqueous solutions prepared with phosphate buffer at different pH or chemical sensitizers. Two major photolytic products from spinosyn A were detected as spinosyn B and hydroxylated spinosyn A. Spinosyn D was similarly hydroxylated and N-demethylated. Spinosyns A and D were photodegraded rapidly under sunlight in Hawaii, USA. The half-life of spinosyns A and D in stream water was 1.1 and 1.0 h, respectively, and was a half of that in distilled-deionized water, 2.2 and 2.0 h, respectively. Photodegradation of spinosyns A and D followed an order of increasing rate constants in distilled-deionized, seawater, stream and tap water under 300 nm artificial light, and was enhanced approximately 8- and 17-fold, respectively, in acetone-sensitized solution as compared to in distilled-deionized water. Photolysis rates of spinosyns A and D in isopropanol- or humic acid-fortified water did not differ much as compared with those accordingly in distilled-deionized water. Spinosyns A and D photodegraded slower in acidic aqueous solution than in basic aqueous solution.
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗
Photolytic degradation of triclosan in freshwater and seawater.
A 12-days photolysis experiment of triclosan, a widely used bactericide, was performed in freshwater and seawater under a low intensity artificial white light source. Photodegradation of triclosan was observed in both the freshwater and seawater samples. Assuming a first-order reaction, half-lives of triclosan in the freshwater and seawater were approximately 8 and 4 days, respectively. 2,8-Dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (DCDD) was detected in both the freshwater and seawater samples after 3 days of irradiation. The photodegradation of triclosan and the production of DCDD suggest that triclosan could be less stable and DCDD might be more stable in seawater than freshwater. As a result, DCDD produced from triclosan survives for a longer time in seawater.
Dioxins↗
Degradation of atrazine by microwave-assisted electrodeless discharge mercury lamp in aqueous solution.
The present study investigates the degradation of atrazine (2-chloro-4-(ethyl amino)-6-isopropyl amino-s-triazine) in aqueous solution by a developed new method, namely by means of a microwave-assisted electrodeless discharge mercury lamp (MW-EDML). An experimental design was conducted to assess the influence of various parameters: pH value, initial concentration, amount of EDML, initial volume and coexisted solvent. Atrazine was degraded completely by EDML in a relatively short time (i.e. t(1/2)=1.2 min for 10 mg/l). Additionally, the identification of main degradation products during atrazine degradation process was conducted by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). This study proposes the degradation mechanism including four possible pathways for atrazine degradation according to the degradation products.
Atrazine↗
Degradation of microcystin-RR by UV radiation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.
Experiments were conducted to investigate the degradation of microcystin-RR in order to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of the combined UV/H(2)O(2) catalytic system for purification of water polluted by microcystins. The operating parameters such as hydrogen peroxide dosage, pH value, UV light intensity, initial concentration of microcystin-RR and reaction time were evaluated, respectively. The degradation efficiency increased nonlinearly with increasing UV light intensity and hydrogen peroxide dosage, respectively. There existed an optimal hydrogen peroxide dosage, beyond which the reagent exhibited an inhibitory effect, for degrading microcystin-RR. The degradation process could be fitted by both of the pseudo-first-order and second-order kinetics well and primarily followed a mechanism of both direct photolysis and hydroxyl radical oxidation. Compared with the treatment using UV radiation and hydrogen peroxide individually, the combined UV/H(2)O(2) system could significantly enhance the degradation efficiency due to the synergetic effect between UV radiation and hydrogen peroxide oxidation. The observed rate constants decreased and the corresponding half-lives prolonged as the concentrations of microcystin-RR increased. The combined UV/H(2)O(2) process provides an effective technology for the removal of microcystins from drinking water supplies.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
Decomposition of an azo dye in aqueous solution by combination of ultrasound and visible light.
The degradation of Acid Orange 7 in aqueous solution has been investigated under the irradiation of ultrasound and visible light respectively and simultaneously. We have observed that the maximum removal percentage K increases from 4% to 35% when the ultrasonic frequency f and power P change from f=20 KHz and P=3 W to f=1 MHz and P=40 W. On the other hand, the K-value is approximately 3% under the irradiation of visible light at 632 nm and 100 mW/mm(2). Under the simultaneous irradiation of ultrasound (1 MHz, 40 W) and visible light (632 nm, 100 mW/mm(2)), the K-value reaches to approximately 65%, indicating a synergistic effect of ultrasound and visible light irradiations. A simple model based on the band gap theory and cavitation theory is proposed to explain the synergistic phenomenon.
Azo Compounds↗