The impact of the marine sewage outfalls on the sediment quality: The Black Sea and the Marmara case

Marine sewage outfalls are the cheapest method of disposal for municipalities with restricted funds, despite their negative effects on marine ecosystems. This study was conducted on the marine sewage outfalls of the Turkish cities Rize (Black Sea) and Yalova (Sea of Marmara). Heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were investigated in the sediments for determine pollution degree. Two of Yalova stations were classified as having high contamination levels (1034.436 and 1476.483 ng/g, respectively) and all the other stations suffered moderate pollution in terms of ∑₁₆PAHs. ∑DTTs in sediments above probable effect levels (PELs), were observed both stations Yalova and Rize. The highest metal concentrations in the sediments from the eight stations ranged from 4.97 to 29.65 mg/kg for Ni; 7.57–44.14 mg/kg for Cr; 9.84–42.76 mg/kg for Cu; and 48.08–103.77 mg/kg for Zn. In sum, examination of pollutant sources provides clear evidence of an anthropogenic effect on the discharge environments.     

Chromium in Postmortem Material

Recently, considerable attention has been paid to the negative effects caused by the presence and constant increase in concentration of heavy metals in the environment, as well as to the determination of their content in human biological samples. In this paper, the concentration of chromium in samples of blood and internal organs collected at autopsy from 21 female and 39 male non-occupationally exposed subjects is presented. Elemental analysis was carried out by an electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer after microwave-assisted acid digestion. Reference ranges of chromium in the blood, brain, stomach, liver, kidneys, lungs, and heart (wet weight) in the population of Southern Poland were found to be 0.11–16.4 ng/mL, 4.7–136 ng/g, 6.1–76.4 ng/g, 11–506 ng/g, 2.9–298 ng/g, 13–798 ng/g, and 3.6–320 ng/g, respectively.     

Proportion of higher trophic-level prey in the diet of Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)

During nutritionally stressful situations, Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) may switch from preying on benthic invertebrates to higher trophic-level prey (HTLP) (e.g., pinnipeds and/or seabirds). We applied a Bayesian mixing model to stable isotope (C and N) data from analyses of various tissues (tongue and lumbar muscle, skin, and liver) to quantify the proportional contribution of HTLP to walruses (n = 293 individuals). The mode contribution of HTLP to walrus diet was ~22 % (±10 %) based on muscle mixing models, which is consistent with results from contaminant studies of Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus), but higher than estimates based on historical stomach content analyses of Pacific walruses. A broader range in the proportion of HTLP (0–60 %) shown by mixing models using stable isotope data from liver and skin of walruses indicated they pursue an opportunistic foraging strategy. Data from the HTLP-consuming walruses were comparable with our stable isotope data of a known “seal-eating” walrus. No significant difference was evident between the estimated contributions of HTLP to the diet of male versus female walruses (P > 0.01). This finding suggests that changes in diet base for walruses are not influenced by the sex of the predator.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticide levels in tissues of Caretta caretta from the Adriatic Sea

We detected concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCs) in the liver, muscle, and fat of 11 loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta from the central and southern Adriatic Sea. All samples contained PCBs at various concentrations, with Congener 138 (28%), 153 (27%), and 180 (32%) dominating the congener composition of the tissues. The dioxin-like congener (118, 13%) was detected in all tissues analyzed. The lower-chlorinated PCBs were not detected. The average of the total PCB concentrations, expressed in nanograms per gram wet weight, was 459.6 ng g(-1) in fat, 82.9 ng g(-1) in liver, and 5.8 ng g(-1) in muscle. Among 13 organochlorine pesticides for which analyses were conducted, 4 were detected: p,p'-DDE (57%); p,p'-DDD (16%); and p,p'-DDT and o,p'-DDT (27%). Spatial differences were found among OC concentrations in loggerheads from the central and southern Adriatic Sea. The only samples containing detectable concentrations of p,p'-DDT and o,p'-DDT were from the southern area.     

夏枯草药材和种植土壤中农药及重金属残留分析

采用气相色谱及ICP-AES法测定了安徽庐江和江苏洪泽2个种植基地的土壤和夏枯草(Prunella vulgaris L.)果穗及全草中有机氯农药及重金属含量,并根据污染指数和相关标准对土壤及药材的安全性进行了评价.测定结果表明:来源于2个基地的土壤及药材中有机氯农药及重金属含量有明显差异.庐江产果穗和全草中Pb、Cd、Cu、Cr、As及BHC含量分别为3.361和3.953、0.172和0.190、8.258和7.722、3.423和2.658、0.284和0.355、0.003和0.004 mg·kg-1,Hg和DDT未检出;洪泽产果穗和全草中Pb、Cd、Cu、Cr、Hg及BHC含量分别为2.399和1.558、0.155和0.111、7.682和6.756、4.259和3.801、0.077和0.102、0.003和0.006 mg·kg-1,As未检出,果穗中也未检出DDT.庐江基地土壤中Cd、Cu、Cr、As、Hg、BHC和DDT含量分别为0.001、12.943、47.417、1.008、0.003、0.003和0.002 mg·kg-1,Pb未检出;洪泽基地土壤中Pb、Cd、Cu、Cr、As、Hg和BHC含量分别为3.443、0.002、18.655、63.385、3.701、0.141和0.004 mg·kg-1,DDT未检出.比较结果表明:夏枯草果穗中重金属残留量均高于全草,但均低于国家限量标准;土壤中有机氯农药及重金属单项污染指数均小于1,且庐江和洪泽基地土壤的综合污染指数分别为0.286和0.399,因此,土壤污染等级属安全级且污染水平为清洁级.     

The Parasitic Eyeworm Oxyspirura petrowi as a Possible Cause of Decline in the Threatened Lesser Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus)

Lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) have been declining range wide since the early 1900''s despite efforts to establish conservation and improve their habitat. In early 2014, the lesser prairie-chicken was listed as a threatened species under the U.S Endangered Species Act and the need to find out why they are declining is more important than ever. Nine hunter shot lesser prairie-chickens were donated and sampled for the presence or absence of the eyeworm Oxyspirura petrowi, a known parasite that can cause damage to the eye of its host, and common environmental contaminants. Eyeworm infection was found in 7 of 9 birds (78% infection rate) with an infection range between 0–16 O. petrowi per bird. Breast, liver, and fat tissue samples from the lesser prairie-chickens were analyzed for the frequency of 20 organochlorine pesticides. Femurs and livers were also tested on these birds for metal contaminants. Pesticides were found in several samples above the detection limits but were still in the low ng/g range. Notable was the ubiquitous presence of endrin aldehyde across all tissues. One femur showed 5.66 µg/g of lead (Pb) but this is still relatively low. No liver samples had elevated mercury (Hg) above detection limits. The presence of these organochlorines is consistent with the historic use of pesticides in this region. With pesticide and metals found in such low levels and parasitic nematode infections at rather high levels, it is recommended that these parasites be further evaluated as a contributing factor to the decline of the lesser prairie-chicken.     

A Rapid Screening Method for the Determination of Seventy Pesticide Residues in Soil Using Microwave-Assisted Extraction Coupled to Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry

A rapid screening method using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) in combination with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry for the determination of 70 pesticide residues in soil was established. The pesticides included 27 organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), 29 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), nine pyrethroids, and five carbamates. Parameters that could affect the efficiency of extraction, such as temperature, time, and solvent, were investigated. The condition of the extraction, under which recoveries of all 70 pesticides ranged from 70% to 120%, was optimized with a 1:1 (V/V) mixture of acetone and hexane, a temperature of 100°C, and an extraction time of 10 min. All compounds studied could be recovered in good yields and with relative standard deviations (RSDs) lower than 20%. The linearity of the method for all the pesticides was greater than 0.99 over a concentration range of 0.1–5 μg/g. The detection limits varied from 0.5 to 211.25 ng/g. Interday and intraday precision analyses yielded RSDs of 1.2%–11.7% and 3.6%–15.1%, respectively. This method, which was as effective as Soxhlet extraction and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), proved to be accurate and precise. When the proposed method was used to examine environmental samples, the obtained results were in good agreement with those obtained using Soxhlet extraction.     

Genetic diversity of the Pacific walrus (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Odobenus rosmarus divergens</Emphasis>) in the western part of the Chukchi Sea

We study 117 Pacific walrus samples from three rookeries within the western part of Chukchi Sea (Cape Vankarem, Cape Serdtse-Kamen, and Kolyuchin Island). We analyze the variability of nuclear (20 microsatellite loci) and mitochondrial DNA (three fragments). Two microsatellite loci which are described as microsatellites for the first time are used in this study: repeated sequences within introns of Coro1c and Plod2 genes. A high degree of genetic diversity is demonstrated for both nuclear and mitochondrial markers compared to Atlantic walrus. A high degree of genetic diversity is preserved within populations of Pacific walrus, despite a strong decline in the recent past. We discover the absence of significant differentiation for microsatellite loci and the presence of weak differentiation for mtDNA (mainly for a D-loop fragment). Walrus specimens that use the rookeries of the western part of Chukchi Sea are thought to belong to a single reproductive group.     

Seasonal variations in the body composition and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Nile tilapia collected from drainage canals in Al-Ahsa,Saudi Arabia

The body composition of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) collected from drainage canals in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia and the concentration of four heavy metals; zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co) and lead (Pb) in both fish muscles and the water collected from this environment were assessed across the four seasons. The body composition was found to change with the seasons, with the best body composition being recorded in autumn and winter, where higher levels of protein (17.24, 17.65%), and fat (0.58, 0.71%) and lower water content (80.15, 79.86%) respectively were noted. The concentration of heavy metals in both fish muscles and the water body also varied significantly with the seasons. In the fish muscles, the highest content of Zn (0.409 mg/kg dry weight) and Cd (4.140 mg/kg dry weight) was recorded in winter, however, the highest concentration of Co (0.318 mg/kg dry weight) and Pb (1.96 mg/kg dry weight) was observed in spring and summer respectively. On the other hand, the water samples collected in autumn showed the maximum concentration of Cd (1.385 mg/L), Co (0.762 mg/L) and Pb (0.18 mg/L) however, the maximum concentration of Zn (0.0041 mg/L) was recorded in winter. With the exception of Cd, the accumulation of the studied heavy metals in fish muscles was within the safe limits for seafood recommended by various organizations.     

Organochlorine Pesticides in Sediments around Chaohu Lake: Concentration Levels and Vertical Distribution

Eighteen organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were investigated in surface sediments from the Nanfei River and in four sediment cores from the primary estuaries of Chaohu Lake, Eastern China. The results indicate that the OCP concentrations in the surface and core sediments around Chaohu Lake were 3.48–121.08 (with a mean of 34.93) ng/g and 0.60–39.28 (7.07) ng/g, respectively. Significantly higher concentrations of ΣOCPs were observed in sediment samples from the Nanfei River and its estuary. The three important OCP contributors around Chaohu Lake were dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), which originated primarily from the historical use of technical DDTs and HCHs. A principal component analysis (PCA) suggests that HCB and lindane may originate from the same sources, and DDTs were greatly influenced by organic carbon from the soil environment and the impact of urbanization processes.     

Inter-annual variability in the proportional contribution of higher trophic levels to the diet of Pacific walruses

Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) depend on Arctic sea ice as a resting and foraging platform; however, recent years have seen unprecedented seasonal reductions in ice extent. Previous researchers proposed that during unfavorable ice conditions, walruses might prey on other pinnipeds. To examine this hypothesis, we analyzed carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of muscle from walruses (n = 155) sampled from the Bering and Chukchi seas during 2001–2010. We used a Bayesian stable isotope mixing model to examine the proportional contribution of higher trophic level prey (HTLP) (e.g., seals, seabirds) to walrus diets and extrapolated a tissue-specific turnover rate to compare diet of individuals over time. Mode HTLP across years was 19 % ± 8. Results indicate a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the reliance on HTLP during 2008–2009 (mode HTLP 13 %), one of two sampling periods that experienced great seasonal loss of pan-Arctic sea ice (the other being 2007–2008 with mode HTLP of 23 %). We also reveal intra-annual fluctuations in the contribution of HTLP to the diet of a walrus sampled in 2011 with seal remains in its stomach through high-resolution sectioning along a whisker length. Our findings suggest that walruses forage opportunistically as a result of multiple environmental factors and that sea ice extent alone does not drive consumption of HTLP.     

Simultaneous Removal of Lindane,Lead and Cadmium from Soils by Rhamnolipids Combined with Citric Acid

This study investigated the performance of rhamnolipids-citric acid mixed agents in simultaneous desorption of lindane and heavy metals from soils. The capacity of the mixed agents to solubilize lindane, lead and cadmium in aqueous solution was also explored. The results showed that the presence of citric acid greatly enhanced the solubilization of lindane and cadmium by rhamnolipids. A combined effect of the mixed agents on lindane and heavy metals removal from soils was observed. The maximum desorption ratios for lindane, cadmium and lead were 85.4%, 76.4% and 28.1%, respectively, for the mixed agents containing 1% rhamnolipidsand 0.1 mol/L citric acid. The results also suggest that the removal efficiencies of lead and cadmium were strongly related to their speciations in soils, and metals in the exchangeable and carbonate forms were easier to be removed. Our study suggests that the combining use of rhamnolipids and citric acid is a promising alternative to simultaneously remove organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals from soils.     

Faecal DNA amplification in Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)

Dietary information is critical for assessing the population status of seals, sea lions and walruses—and is determined for most species of pinnipeds using non-invasive methods. However, diets of walruses continue to be described from the stomach contents of dead individuals. Our goal was to assess whether DNA could be extracted from the faeces of Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) collected at haulout sites, and whether potential prey species or taxa could be amplified from that DNA. We extracted DNA from 70 faecal samples collected from ice pans in the Bering Sea during the spring of 2008 and 2009 (with between 4.6 and 308.9 ng/μl of DNA in every sample). We also extracted DNA from 12 potential prey species or taxa collected by bottom-grabs in 2009 to identify positive controls for primers and to test the ability of previously published taxon-specific and species-specific primers to correctly identify the prey using conventional PCR. We tested primers that successfully amplified DNA from the tissue of at least one potential prey species or taxon on all 70 walrus faecal samples. We found that two sets of primers successfully amplified many of the potential prey species or taxa using DNA from their tissue, and that one of these primer sets produced positive amplification in 4 of the 70 faecal samples. The band size that was produced for prey organisms and in the faecal samples was consistent with expectations, although prey identities were not verified with sequencing. Our pilot study demonstrates that DNA can be successfully extracted and amplified from walrus faeces, providing a stepping stone towards describing the diets of walruses from faecal DNA.     

Comparison of colorimetric and chemiluminescent enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of endosulfan in food samples

Pesticides have become part of food protection since their inception. Endosulfan, an organochlorine insecticide, has been used against insect pests such as whiteflies, aphids, red spiders and mites. Methods of immunochemical assays have been devised for the determination and analysis of pesticides and commonly used for the analysis of contaminants in food, water, soil and body fluids. Chicken IgY antibodies raised against endosulfan haptens were used for the detection of endosulfan. We have compared colorimetric (CO) and chemiluminescence (CL) enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques for the detection of endosulfan isomers in a food matrix. CL ELISA assay was found to be more sensitive than CO assay. The mean recovery was 81.2–95.6% for α‐ and β‐endosulfan‐spiked food samples with 2.8–4.6% relative standard deviation. The detection of the endosulfan isomers was linear in the range 100 µg/mL–5 fg/mL, with a limit of detection at 100 µg/mL and 5 fg/mL for the CL ELISA method and 100 µg/mL and 1 ng/mL for the CO ELISA method respectively. These methods can be used for the rapid and reliable detection of organochlorine pesticide endosulfan. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seasonal variation in the energy content of benthic macroinvertebrates of Lake Nainital,U.P., India

The paper discusses seasonal variation in the energy contents of four macrobenthic invertebrates of Lake Nainital during 1977–78. The energy values varied from 16971–19437 J/g dry weight in Tubifex tubifex, 16 511–20 231 J/g dry weight in Glossiphonia weberi, 19 019–25 289 J/g dry weight in Chironomus plumosus and 19 583–20 549 J/g dry weight in Viviparus bengalensis. The former two genera exhibited highest energy contents during summer, whereas the latter two revealed highest values during winter. On mean annual basis, the highest values were recorded for C. plumosus and lowest for T. tubifex. In V. bengalensis, variation occurred in ash fraction (%) and in energy values (Joule per gram dry weight) but not in energy values of organic fraction (Joule per gram ash-free dry weight), while the other three genera displayed variation in all three variables.     

Panax quinquefolius: An overview of the contaminants

The root of Panax quinquefolius has been used as a food supplement and botanical drug throughout the world for many years. During growth, harvest, processing, and storage, it can be polluted by molds, pesticides, heavy metals, and other chemicals, resulting in contamination with mycotoxins, pesticide residues, and heavy metals, as well as other substances. These contaminants may be harmful to human health. In this review, we summarize the contaminants and significant advances that have been made in the study of these contaminants, focusing on the analytical methods and contamination management techniques for P. quinquefolius that have been developed over the last several decades.     

Elucidation of Contaminant-Induced Toxic Responses in the Biota of Lake Vembanad,Kerala, India

This study investigates the spatial distribution of various organochlorine insecticides (OCIs) and heavy metals in both sediment and a bivalve, Villorita cyprinoides var. Cochinensis, collected from three pristine areas of Lake Vembanad. The detected concentrations of OCIs in the bivalve and sediment are in the order DDT > Heptachlor > BHC and BHC > DDD > heptachlor, respectively. However the DDT concentration (28.5 ng/g) in the bivalve at Chambakkara exceeded the limit suggested by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NWQAP) and indicated an anthropogenic input source for the parent DDT. The maximum potential contamination indices for Zn and Ni in the bivalve were 267.8 mg/kg and 22.3 mg/kg, respectively. The Enrichment Factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (I_geo) values of sediment indicated that Cd showed high pollution status and the Biota Sediment Accumulation Factor value of heavy metals suggested that Zn, Cu, and Cd were bioaccumulated in the bivalve's tissue. The concentrations of Zn and Cd were above the threshold levels and regarded as harmful according to the international standard for metals in mollusc compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organization. Therefore, they create great health risk for mussel consumers.     

Chemico-nutritional composition of meat of Strombus galeatus (Mesogastropoda: Strombidae)]

Strombus galeatus samples were collected in Lagarto (10 degrees 06'N,85 degrees 48'W), Bahía Ballena (9 degrees 42'N,85 degrees 01'W) and Golfito (8 degrees 30'N,83 degrees 10'W) at the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Individual weight ranged between 141.9 and 241.3 g (41.3-65.6% edible). Over 72% is water, 23% protein and 3% ash. The caloric content varied between 126.5 and 129 kcal/100g. Fat, crude fiber and carbohydrates contents were small. Mean ranges (%) in minerals were: 403.0-465 P, 233.5-315.7 Ca, 89.7-315.0 K, 122.3-145.5 Na, 217.5-266.3 Mg, 1.5-5.3 Fe, 2.0-8.7 Zn and 0.2-0.5 mg % Cu. As was not detected, and the Cd and Pb contents were 0.046-0.062 and 0.19-0.21 mg/kg, respectively. Concentrations of heavy metals in the meat are not toxic for humans.     

The ability of genetically lean or fat slow-growing chickens to synthesize and store lipids is not altered by the dietary energy source

The increasing use of unconventional feedstuffs in chicken’s diets results in the substitution of starch by lipids as the main dietary energy source. To evaluate the responses of genetically fat or lean chickens to these diets, males of two experimental lines divergently selected for abdominal fat content were fed isocaloric, isonitrogenous diets with either high lipid (80 g/kg), high fiber (64 g/kg) contents (HL), or low lipid (20 g/kg), low fiber (21 g/kg) contents (LL) from 22 to 63 days of age. The diet had no effect on growth performance and did not affect body composition evaluated at 63 days of age. Glycolytic and oxidative energy metabolisms in the liver and glycogen storage in liver and Sartorius muscle at 63 days of age were greater in chicken fed LL diet compared with chicken fed HL diet. In Pectoralis major (PM) muscle, energy metabolisms and glycogen content were not different between diets. There were no dietary-associated differences in lipid contents of the liver, muscles and abdominal fat. However, the percentages of saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in tissue lipids were generally higher, whereas percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were lower for diet LL than for diet HL. The fat line had a greater feed intake and average daily gain, but gain to feed ratio was lower in that line compared with the lean line. Fat chickens were heavier than lean chickens at 63 days of age. Their carcass fatness was higher and their muscle yield was lower than those of lean chickens. The oxidative enzyme activities in the liver were lower in the fat line than in the lean line, but line did not affect energy metabolism in muscles. The hepatic glycogen content was not different between lines, whereas glycogen content and glycolytic potential were higher in the PM muscle of fat chickens compared with lean chickens. Lipid contents in the liver, muscles and abdominal fat did not differ between lines, but fat chickens stored less MUFA and more PUFA in abdominal fat and muscles than lean chickens. Except for the fatty acid composition of liver and abdominal fat, no interaction between line and diet was observed. In conclusion, the amount of lipids stored in muscles and fatty tissues by lean or fat chickens did not depend on the dietary energy source.     

Occurrence and distribution of organochlorine pesticide residue levels in water,sediment and aquatic weeds in the Nyando River catchment,Lake Victoria,Kenya

Samples of water, sediments and aquatic weeds were collected from 26 sites in the Nyando River catchment of the Lake Victoria basin in 2005–2006. The objective was to investigate levels of organochlorine pesticides that have either been banned or are restricted for use in Kenya. The pesticides investigated were lindane, aldrin, endosulfan, endrin, dieldrin, DDT, heptachlor and methoxychlor. These pesticides had previously found wide applications in public health and agriculture in Kenya for control of disease vectors and crop pests respectively. Results showed that mean concentrations were highest for methoxychlor (8.817 ± 0.020?µg l^?1) in water, sediments (92.893 ± 3.039 µg kg^?1), and weeds (39.641 ± 3.045?µg kg^?1), the weeds also tended to accumulate aldrin (15.519 ± 3.756?µg kg^?1). The results show that the pesticides are still in use and are detected in the catchment. Stringent management and public awareness measures are required to enforce the ban on the organochlorine pesticides in order to safeguard the environment and ecosystems of Lake Victoria.