Absorption and Translocation of Atrazine and Linuron by Plants with Implications Concerning Linuron Selectivity

The absorption and translocation of atrazine and linuron bycarrot, parsnip, lettuce, and turnip seedlings in culture solutionswere measured. There were marked differences among species inthe distribution of herbicide within the plant. A high proportionof the linuron absorbed by carrot and parsnip seedlings wasretained in their root systems whereas in lettuce and turnipover 60 per cent of the herbicide absorbed was translocatedto the shoot. With atrazine, differences were also apparentbut were much less marked. The amounts of herbicide translocatedwere directly proportional to the amounts of water transpiredby the plants but the effective concentrations in the transpirationstream were always less than those in the treatment solutions.Examination of the extracts from the different plant speciesby thin-layer chromatography showed that up to 45 per cent ofthe linuron translocated in parsnip and carrot was present asmetabolites, but little metabolism had occurred in the shootsof lettuce and turnip or in the roots of any of the species.The data suggest that the tolerance of parsnip and carrot seedlingsto linuron results from a combination of root fixation and metabolismin the shoot.     

长期低浓度SO2对大豆生长和产量的影响

随着化石燃料消耗量不断增加,由此产生的主要大气污染物之一SO_2的浓度和影响范围也日趋增大。SO_2对植物,特别是对农作物的影响已受到普遍重视。本研究选择我国北方种植面积大、分布广的大豆为供试作物,在野外开顶式熏气装置中进行低浓度SO_2长期暴露试验,观察SO_2对大豆生长发育及产量的影响,以期为制订农田大气环境质量标准提供有一定参考价值的生态学基准。     

不同甘油浓度与平衡时间对食蟹猴精液冷冻效果的影响

探讨了不同甘油浓度(3%、5%、7%、11%)和不同平衡时间(30、60、90、120min)对食蟹猴(Macaca fascicularis)精液冷冻效果的影响,以建立和优化食蟹猴精液冷冻的程序。参照TTE稀释液成分组成改良型TTE,冷冻前和解冻后均检测精子的活力、畸形率、质膜完整性、顶体完整率。结果显示,平衡时间为30min时精子的冷冻解冻后活力、复苏率均高于平衡时间90min和120min组,差异显著(P<0.05),比60min组稍好;甘油浓度为3%、5%组的精子冷冻解冻后活力及复苏率均高于甘油浓度11%组,差异显著(P<0.05),比7%组好;不同甘油浓度各组间以及不同平衡时间各组间畸形率、质膜完整性、顶体完整率差异不显著(P<0.05)。由此得出如下结论,在食蟹猴精液冷冻中,在改良TTE中加入3%~5%的甘油且平衡30min可以获得较好效果,精子冻后活率和复苏率达到45%和62%。     

The Oxidative and Morphological Effects of High Concentration Chronic Toluene Exposure on Rat Sciatic Nerves

This study was designed to investigate the effects of chronic toluene inhalation in high concentration on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activities and ultrastructural changes in the sciatic nerves of rats. Male Wistar albino rats (150–250 g) were divided in two experimental groups: the control and the toluene treated group (n=10 for each). Toluene treatment was performed by inhalation of 3000 ppm toluene, in a 8 h/day and 6 day/week order for 16 weeks. Blood and tissue samples were obtained for biochemical and histopathological investigation. The blood and sciatic nerves were assayed for toluene by gas chromatography. Toluene significantly increased blood and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), and decreased tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), but not tissue catalase (CAT) levels when compared with controls. Electron micrographs of sciatic nerve in the toluene group shows myelin destructions with onion-bulb and bubble form protrusion on the myelin sheath and axolemma border of myelinated axons. The area of injury on the myelin sheath were measured by Image-Pro Plus. Mean of the injury area were estimated 34% each myelin. These findings indicate that chronic toluene inhalation might be involved with free radical processes.     

Adaptation of Natural Microbial Communities to Degradation of Xenobiotic Compounds: Effects of Concentration, Exposure Time, Inoculum, and Chemical Structure

Adaptation of microbial communities to faster degradation of xenobiotic compounds after exposure to the compound was studied in ecocores. Radiolabeled test compounds were added to cores that contained natural water and sediment. Adaptation was detected by comparing mineralization rates or disappearance of a parent compound in preexposed and unexposed cores. Microbial communities in preexposed cores from a number of freshwater sampling sites adapted to degrade p-nitrophenol faster; communities from estuarine or marine sites did not show any increase in rates of degradation as a result of preexposure. Adaptation was maximal after 2 weeks and was not detectable after 6 weeks. A threshold concentration of 10 ppb (10 ng/ml) was observed; below this concentration no adaptation was detected. With concentrations of 20 to 100 ppb (20 to 100 ng/ml), the biodegradation rates in preexposed cores were much higher than the rates in control cores and were proportional to the concentration of the test compound. In addition, trifluralin, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and p-cresol were tested to determine whether preexposure affected subsequent biodegradation. Microbial communities did not adapt to trifluralin. Adaptation to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid was similar to adaptation to nitrophenol. p-Cresol was mineralized rapidly in both preexposed and unexposed communities.     

不同海水浓度和培养时间对海洋真菌抗菌活性的影响

用滤纸片琼脂扩散法研究不同海水浓度和培养时间对海洋真菌抗菌活性的影响,旨在为大规模培养海洋真菌和提高获得抗菌物质的几率提供理论依据。结果显示：用不同海水浓度培养基发酵海洋真菌,在供试的10株海洋真菌中,5株海洋真菌的抗菌活性和抗菌谱有明显差异;培养时间不同,6株海洋真菌的抗菌活性差别较大。实验结果表明,不同海水浓度和培养时间对海洋真菌抗菌活性有显著影响。     

Nd：YAP激光的不同功率和时间组合对亚心形扁藻的影响

采用同一剂量不同功率和时间组合的Nd:YAP激光(波长1 341nm)辐照亚心形扁藻,辐照组分为8W 69 s、10 W 55 s和12 W 46 s三个组合,通过藻细胞生长速率和叶绿素含量测定研究激光对扁藻的影响.实验结果表明,即使同一照射剂量,不同的辐照时间与辐照功率的组合,辐照效果仍不相同,本实验中以辐照时间55 s,辐照功率10 W 为最佳组合.     

Single and Combined Effects of Exposure Concentration and Duration on Biological Responses of Ceratophyllum demersum L. Exposed to Cr Species

This study aimed to demonstrate the ways in which two chromium species, Cr (III) and Cr (VI), can affect various physiological and biochemical parameters in the plant Ceratophyllum demersum L., and to evaluate the single and combined impact of exposure concentration and duration. C. demersum was exposed to Cr (III) and Cr (VI) at a variety of concentrations (1, 2, 5, and 10 mM) and for differing durations (1, 2, 4, and 7 days), after which Cr accumulation, relative growth rate (RGR), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, electrical conductivity (EC), photosynthetic pigmentation, proline content and antioxidant enzyme activities were examined. The single and combined effects of exposure duration and Cr concentration on each parameter were determined using a two-way analysis of variance. For both the Cr (III) and Cr (VI) applications, it was observed that concentration had a significant effect on all parameters assessed. However, duration had no statistically significant effect on proline content in the Cr (III) application, or on MDA and protein content in the Cr (VI) application. It was determined that concentration exerted greater effects than duration for both Cr species studied. In addition, the results indicated that duration and concentration had a synergistic effect on variations of RGR, EC, protein content, and antioxidant enzyme activities in both the Cr (III) and Cr (VI) applications. These results may be useful when planning further phytoremediation and plant biotechnology studies.     

Early Response of Willow to Increasing Silver Concentration Exposure

This is a preliminary hydroponic study to test willow sensitivity to silver nitrate, a highly toxic chemical compound. We grew willow cuttings for a period of three weeks in the presence of increasing AgNO₃ concentrations and assessed the response in terms of growth and physiology. We found that AgNO₃ is generally extremely harmful to willow. AgNO₃ concentration as high as 0.027 μM may result in a significant reduction of biomass productivity and a decrease in stomatal conductance over the first week of exposure. However, willows seem able to adapt to high AgNO₃ concentrations on a longer timeline.     

Nickel Exposure and its Effects

The aim of the study was to determine the nickel concentrations of soil and plant specimens taken from a rural area exposed to cement factory emissions and also to determine the blood concentrations and sensitivity conditions observed in humans residing in this rural area. The study was carried out in Çukurhisar, a town in Eski?ehir-Turkey, between May 2000 and March 2001. Beside the 108 soil (36 for control) and plant specimens, which were taken from 8 directions from the cement factory, blood samples of the individuals residing in this area were taken from 258 subjects (258 for control) following a physical examination, and patch tests were also applied. The nickel concentrations of the soil and plant specimens taken from different places in different directions of the factory were higher than in the control areas. The physical examination of subjects did not reveal results different from those of the control group except for the diagnosis of contact dermatitis. The analyses of venous blood samples showed that nickel concentrations were found to be within the reference values given for both groups, but higher in the subjects (p<0.001). According to the results of patch tests, sensitivity to nickel was found to be more frequent for the subject group than the control group (p<0.05). According to these results, clinical tools revealed no toxic effects for the subjects, except contact dermatitis. However, sensitivity to patch tests showed that this subject group has been affected compared to the control group and that this effect increased with age.     

Effects of Chlorine Concentration on the Structure of Poliovirus

Chlorine concentrations below 0.8 mg/liter inactivated poliovirus without causing separation of the viral components. These results indicate that the release of RNA from the capsids is the result, not the cause, of virus inactivation by chlorine.     

Efficacy of 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane for Control of Meloidogyne javanica as Influenced by Concentration,Exposure Time and Rate of Degradation

Laboratory experiments were conducted by applying 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) to sealed vials of soil infested with Meloidogyne javanica. A minimum initial concentration of 0.25 μg of DBCP/g of oven-dry soil killed all nematodes within 35 days. A concentration of 1.0 μg/g killed all nematodes within 28 days. The rate of degradation of this chemical was determined by treatment of steamed and nonsteamed dry soil in open and sealed vials. Extraction of tile chemical, followed by quantification by gas chromatography, showed approximately 100% of the amount applied recovered after 14 days in sealed vials without soil. With soil present, approximately 10% of the amount of chemical applied was recovered.     

Phytotoxicity of methyl bromide on chrysanthemum cuttings

The phytotoxicity of methyl bromide gas on chrysanthemum cuttings was investigated in relation to gas concentration, length of exposure, temperature, and variety and age of cuttings. Concentrations of 10.5 to 13.5 g/m³ for 4 to 5 h produced a concentration time product (CTP) of 54 g h/m³ which is suitable for safe fumigation of most varieties of chrysanthemum. Length of exposure was not critical up to 5 h. However, fumigations of cuttings which were more than 3 wk old generally caused excessive phytotoxicity and therefore cannot be recommended. There was less damage at temperatures of between 14 and 16°C than at higher temperatures. A table of predictions from a fitted regression equation is included to demonstrate the increased susceptibility of chrysanthemums at higher temperatures and ages of cuttings.     

Effects of Chronic Boron Exposure on Semen Profile

The possible changes in semen quality were studied in men living in a boron mining area. The subjects in the boron group had exposure to boron at an average level of 6.5 mg/day, as determined by urinary analysis. The results obtained by the boron group were compared to those obtained for the control group whose subjects were living in the same geographical area but away from the boron region; average exposure level was 1.4 mg/day for this group. The semen samples were analyzed according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization. Boron levels were established in the water samples obtained from various locations in the study region. In the boron mining fields where the subjects in the boron group live, water samples contained boron in the range of 1.4–6.5 mg/L, while the values were <0.01 mg/L for the water samples obtained from the region where the subjects of the control group reside. No negative effects were found in the sperm samples obtained from the subjects of the boron group.     

Phytotoxicity of the tetramic acid metabolite trichosetin

Trichosetin, a tetramic acid-containing metabolite produced in the dual culture of Trichoderma harzianum and Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don callus, was subjected to phytotoxicity assays. In seedling growth assays, trichosetin inhibited root and shoot growth of all five plant species tested by damaging the cell membrane, as evidenced by the dose-dependent increase in electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation. Vital staining of trichosetin-treated Nicotiana tabacum BY-2 cells, with rhodamine 123, showed a weaker green fluorescence compared to controls indicating damaging effects on mitochondria. FDA-PI staining, to determine cell viability, indicated that cells of the trichosetin-treated roots were mostly dead.     

Gas Concentration Effects on the Sensing Properties of Bilayer Graphene

Plasmonics - Graphene is a single-atom thin layer with sp2 hybridized and two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb structure of carbon. Because of its exclusive properties including high conductivity, high...     

Establishing Causality between Exposure to Metals and Effects on Fish

This study evaluates causal relationships between chronic exposure of fish to metals and effects at different levels of biological organization based on a weight-of-evidence approach. Criteria for evaluation of causality were strength, consistency, and specificity of the association, as well as biological gradient and plausibility. Field sampling was conducted three times between 1998 and 2000, in Furnas Stream, impacted by an abandoned lead mine, and in three other locations, including two reference and one impacted sites. Levels of Pb, Zn, Cd, and Ag in sediments from the Furnas Stream exceeded background levels, and their concentrations were above sediment quality guidelines. Residual levels of metals in fish tissue were high enough to indicate reduced growth, reproduction and/or survival according to toxicological benchmarks. Lead-induced biochemical changes (ALA-D activity depletion) were observed in two species of siluriform catfish. The condition factor of a predatory catfish was reduced, and the percentage of prey generalists was higher in Furnas than at the noncontaminated sites. Reduction in fish community diversity and density was observed. Integration of data provided supporting evidence that observed effects on fish from the Furnas Stream resulted from long-term exposure to metals, however influences from other stressors cannot be ruled out.     

不同氮素水平对产油尖状栅藻生长及光合生理的影响

在300μmol photons·m^-2·ｓ^-1光照下,以不同初始氮素营养条件的改良BG-11培养基为基础培养基,在Ø6 cm的玻璃柱状光生物反应器通气(加富1.5% CO₂)培养绿藻尖状栅藻(Scenedesmus acuminatus),分析探讨藻细胞的生长及光合生理与氮素营养的关系。结果表明,不同氮素实验组藻细胞的最大生物量有差异,氮浓度为6mmol/L实验组的生物量最高,为5.19g/L。与初始氮浓度18 mmol/L相比,较低的氮浓度9 mmol/L、和 6 mmol/L 在培养前期对尖状栅藻的生长具有明显的促进作用。藻细胞叶绿素a、b及总类胡萝卜素含量与培养液的氮素营养水平呈正相关。低氮条件有利于总脂积累,总脂含量和单位体积总脂产率显著高于全氮组(P<0.05),3.6 mmol/L实验组的总脂含量最高,为干重的54%,比全氮组高17%(P<0.05)。培养后期随着藻细胞总脂的积累,总碳水化合物和总蛋白含量明显下降(P<0.05)。PSⅡ最大光能转化效率(Fv/Fm)、实际光能转化效率(Yield)以及相对电子传递效率(ETR)均随氮素限制而显著下降(P<0.05),光合速率在不同生长阶段呈先上升后下降的趋势,呼吸速率在培养周期内缓慢上升,说明藻的生长、油脂的积累与细胞光合生理状况以及氮素营养水平直接相关。