Accumulation of Selenium and Lack of Severe Effects on Productivity of American Dippers (Cinclus mexicanus) and Spotted Sandpipers (Actitis macularia)

Selenium has been found at elevated concentrations in water, sediments, and aquatic biota in the Elk River (British Columbia, Canada) and some of its tributaries downstream of several coal mines. Selenium water concentrations in those areas exceed Canadian and British Columbia guidelines and are above levels at which adverse effects to fish and waterfowl could occur. We compared selenium concentrations in the eggs of two riverine waterbirds, American dippers and spotted sandpipers, with measures of productivity: the number of eggs laid, egg hatchability, and nestling survival. In American dippers, the mean egg selenium concentration from the exposed areas, 1.10±SE 0.059 g/g wet weight, was indistinguishable from the reference areas, 0.96±SE 0.059 g/g wet weight. For spotted sandpipers, the mean egg selenium concentration in the exposed areas, 2.2±0.5 g/g wet weight, was significantly higher than in the reference areas, 1.2±0.14 g/g wet weight, but less than reported thresholds for waterfowl and other shorebirds. There were no significant differences in egg hatchability between dippers in reference and exposed areas, but reduced hatchability was apparent for sandpipers in exposed locations. Despite the slightly reduced hatchability in sandpipers, overall productivity was higher than regional norms for both species; thus, selenium did not affect the number of young recruited to local populations. We did not observe teratogenic effects in either species, although none was expected at these concentrations. Despite moderately high selenium concentrations in the water, mean egg selenium concentrations were less than predicted from uptake models. We hypothesise that the relatively low uptake of selenium into the eggs of the two waterbirds in this study is likely due to their lotic environments low biological transformation and uptake rates.     

Mercury and Selenium Concentrations in Livers and Eggs of Common Loons (Gavia immer) from Minnesota

Mercury and selenium act as mutual antagonists in mature birds, but their toxicity is additive or synergistic in avian embryos and immature birds. Twenty eggs and livers from 18 mature and 9 immature common loon carcasses found in Minnesota were collected. Livers and eggs were analyzed for mercury and selenium by atomic emission and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Liver mercury concentrations were significantly higher in mature loons compared to those of immature loons and eggs. Liver selenium concentrations were significantly higher in mature loons than those of immature loons, and selenium concentrations in immature loon livers were significantly higher than levels in eggs. There was a significant positive correlation between mercury and selenium in loon livers. There was a negative correlation between mercury and selenium in eggs. Received: 2 February 2001/Accepted: 28 May 2001     

Anopheles (Cellia) carnevalei in Equatorial Guinea (West-Central Africa)

Anopheles (Cellia) carnevalei is described in the mainland region (Río Muni) of Equatorial Guinea. Anophelines collected were identical to An. nili with exception of some morphological characters found in wings, head, and legs.     

Mercury Contamination in Khramulia (Capoeta capoeta) from the Cheshme Kile and Zarrin Gol Rivers in Iran and Human Health Risk Assessment

Fifty-five volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in 738 water samples collected from 33 monitoring sites in the rivers of highly industrialized urban area in Osaka, Japan, 1993–2006 were analyzed. VOCs could be classified into three groups by the detection frequency and levels of mean concentrations detected. Firstly, for 30 compounds, almost all data were non detection or were around the detection limits. Secondly, for 11 compounds, higher values were occasionally observed at some sites. Thirdly, VOCs were ubiquitously found at relatively high or high levels. Spatial distributions of mean concentrations of the most ubiquitous VOCs throughout 13 years have shown exponentially decreasing trends towards the downstream direction of the rivers. Time series of mean concentrations of all sites of five solvents have shown monotonically downward trends. In contrast, three disinfection by-products and six gasoline compounds were not decreasing.     

Levels and Variability of Metals in Soils of the Province of Golestan (Iran)

Studying the concentration distribution of metals is necessary for soil pollution monitoring and maintaining environmental quality. To date, very little large-scale research has been performed to investigate metal contamination in developing countries. In this study, the content and spatial distributions of five metals (cadmium [Cd], copper [Cu], nickel [Ni], lead [Pb], and zinc [Zn]) were quantified based on 346 topsoil samples from 12 districts in the province of Golestan (northeast [NE] Iran). The concentration levels (mg/kg) of Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn varied from 0.02 to 0.36, 9.3 to 93.7, 6.8 to 44, 9.5 to 85.35, and 25 to 417.4, respectively. The average concentrations (mg/kg) obtained were as follows: Cd 0.12 ± 0.07, Cu 23.9 ± 9.07, Ni 34.88 ± 11.59, Pb 15.42 ± 5.81 and Zn 82.08 ± 30.87. Significant differences in the distribution of trace elements among districts were detected. The AzadShahr and BandarGaz districts displayed the highest metal concentrations. Greater metal values were obtained in the central, south, west, and NE areas, although Zn concentration was also high to the north of the province. Values of contamination factor and contamination degree indicated that the metal pollution level was on the order of Zn > Cd > Pb > Cu > Ni and that all of the metals belonged to a low or moderate pollution category. Ni and Cu levels derived from natural sources, whereas Cd, Pb, and Zn derived from anthropogenic activities with greater mean concentrations than reference concentrations.     

Total Mercury Levels in Selected Tissues of Some Marine Crustaceans from Persian Gulf,Iran: Variations Related to Length,Weight and Sex

Much of the variation in trace metal tissue concentrations in marine invertebrates has been attributed to the variety in individual organism size, age and sex. This study assessed the relationship between total mercury (Hg) concentrations in edible tissue, exoskeleton and viscera with length, weight and gender for 69 samples of crustaceans, Penaeus semisulcatus (n = 30), Thenus orientalis (n = 21) and Portunus pelagicus (n = 18) from the northern part of the Persian Gulf. Significant increase in the Hg level in muscle and viscera (r > 0.65, p < 0.01) with an increase in length and weight for all three species. No relationship was found between the Hg level in exoskeleton and length or weight. Significantly higher Hg levels (p < 0.01) were found in female P. semisulcatus than in males (muscle and viscera), but no gender differences were found for the other two species.     

Levels of Total Mercury in Marine Organisms from Adriatic Sea,Italy

The presence of total mercury in fish, crustacean and cephalopod from Adriatic Sea, was investigated. The highest concentrations were observed in decreasing order in: Norway lobster (0.97 ± 0.24 mg/kg; mean ± SE), European hake (0.59 ± 0.14 mg/kg), red mullet (0.48 ± 0.09 mg/kg), blue whiting (0.38 ± 0.09 mg/kg), Atlantic mackerel (0.36 ± 0.08 mg/kg) and European flying squid (0.25 ± 0.03 mg/kg). A significant difference (p < 0.01) was found between the levels of total mercury in Norway lobster and those detected in all other species. The 25% of all samples exceeded the maximum limit fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006. The results show that fish and fishery products can exceed the maximum levels and stress the need of more information for consumers in particular for people that eat large amount of fish.     

Levels of Mercury in Muscle and Liver of Star-Spotted Dogfish (Mustelus manazo) from the Northern Region of Japan: A Comparison with Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias)

We analyzed mercury (Hg) concentrations in muscle and liver samples of star-spotted dogfish (Mustelus manazo) caught off the northern region of Japan and compared them with those of spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) caught in the same region. The average body length of male star-spotted dogfish specimens was significantly smaller than that of female specimens, reflecting the slower growth rate of male fish. Hg concentrations in liver and muscle increased with increases in body length and estimated age of both male and female star-spotted dogfish specimens. However, the relationships between Hg concentration in liver or muscle and body length or estimated age of male specimens differed markedly from those of female specimens, reflecting differences in growth rate and cessation of growth on reaching maturity. Marked increases in Hg concentration in liver of male and female star-spotted dogfish specimens were observed slightly later than increases in Hg concentration in muscle of those specimens due to growth cessation. These marked increases in Hg in liver may reflect increases in Hg due to the formation of mercury selenide. Similar results were previously reported in spiny dogfish specimens, except spiny dogfish showed only trace levels of Hg in liver (Endo et al., Chemosphere 77:1333–1337, 2009). The greater lipid content in liver and the larger liver size in spiny dogfish may explain the much lower levels of Hg observed in liver of spiny dogfish compared with those in the star-spotted dogfish.     

Levels of Cadmium, Mercury, and Lead in Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) Stranded on the Brazilian Coast

Cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) were determined in samples of liver and breast muscles of first-year Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus), from two different areas on the Brazilian coast, 35 on the Rio de Janeiro coast and 12 on the Rio Grande do Sul coast. In both areas, Cd concentrations in muscle samples were <0.025 μg/g. However, the Cd and Hg concentrations found in liver and Hg concentrations found in muscle showed a significant difference between the two regions. The geometric mean of the concentrations was higher in the specimens from Rio de Janeiro (Cd—6.8 μg/g; Hg—liver, 1.6 μg/g, and muscle, 0.4 μg/g wet weight) than in those from Rio Grande do Sul (Cd—2.3 μg/g; Hg—liver, 0.9 μg/g, and muscle, 0.1 μg/g wet weight). The site differences could be related to differences in diet influenced by geographic factors. Brazil’s southeastern coast is highly urbanized, and its coastal waters are contaminated by the waste of agricultural and industrial activities. There is a lack of information on the levels of heavy metals in S. magellanicus, however, their wide distribution and top position in the trophic chain make the use of stranded specimens an attractive source of information for monitoring heavy metals in the South Atlantic coast.     

A Comparison of Mercury Levels in Feathers and Eggs of Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) in the North American Great Lakes

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) eggs and chick feathers were collected for mercury analysis from nests at four Great Lakes study areas in Ontario (three “naturally formed” lakes in southern Ontario and one reservoir in northern Ontario) and two New Jersey study areas in 1991–1994. Adult osprey feathers were sampled from three Great Lakes study areas in 1991. Feathers sampled from chicks (approximately 28–35 days old) appear to be better indicators of local contaminant conditions since spatial patterns of mercury in known prey, yellow perch (Perca flavescens), also collected in these areas, were more similar to chick feathers than to eggs. Mercury levels were less variable in chick feathers than in eggs. Estimates of biomagnification factors using prey of known size at these areas were also less variable in feathers than in eggs. At naturally formed lakes, no significant correlation in mercury levels between eggs and chick feathers from the same nest was apparent, suggesting that the source of mercury contamination was not the same in these two tissues: mercury levels in eggs reflect mercury acquired on the breeding grounds, wintering grounds, and migratory route; mercury levels in chick feathers reflect local dietary conditions on the breeding grounds. Mercury levels in both osprey eggs and chick feathers were higher at the Ogoki Reservoir than at naturally formed lakes. Adult osprey feathers had higher mercury concentrations than chick feathers. Mercury levels in osprey eggs, chick feathers, and adult feathers did not approach levels associated with toxic reproductive effects. Received: 1 December 1996/Accepted: 16 April 1997     

Unintended pregnancies in Hamedan,Iran: Levels and determinants

The recent limitation in the provision of publicly funded family planning services in Iran has concerned stakeholders in reproductive health about the incidence of unintended pregnancies. This study used data from Hamedan Survey of Fertility (HSF), conducted in April–June 2015 among a representative sample of 3,000 married women aged 15–49 years living in the city of Hamedan (Iran), to estimate levels of unintended pregnancies and examine factors related to pregnancy intentions for the most recent birth, using multinomial logistic regression analyses. Results showed that 23 percent of pregnant women reported their pregnancy as unintended (17 percent mistimed and 6 percent unwanted). Moreover, unintended pregnancies in the five years preceding the survey were the result of failures of withdrawal (35 percent) and of modern contraceptive use (33 percent), along with contraceptive discontinuation (23 percent) and non-use (9 percent). Multivariate results indicated that the risk of unintended pregnancy was lower among women reporting modern contraceptive failures and lower among those reporting contraceptive discontinuation and non-use, compared with women experiencing withdrawal failures. The high incidence of unintended pregnancies among women experiencing contraceptive failures and discontinuation imply their high unmet need for contraceptive knowledge and counseling rather than for access to contraceptive methods.     

Mercury pollution from irrigation with treated sewage water (TSW)

The lack of potable water in arid countries leads to the use of treated sewage water (TSW) for crop growth. Mercury accumulation (up to 500 ng/g) in agricultural soil originating from daily irrigation with TSW was found at two sites fed separately from a hospital sewage plant and an industrial plant. A control site irrigated with potable water ([Hg] <0.01 ng/ml) had much reduced levels in soil (<12 ng/g). Cold-vapour analysis of TSW revealed that Hg concentrations fluctuated widely, and were between 10-100 times higher than those of potable water. The TSW data originated from a total of 46 samples (1 L each), from both plants, collected over a 6-month period. The Hg levels varied from 0.1 to 1.0 ng/ml, which suggested that the possible source of the accumulation could be found in continuous irrigation with comparatively higher Hg levels. Remedial measures could be approached from the perspective of curbing this inconsistency to produce more consistent Hg concentrations below 0.5 ng/ml. It was found that the electrical conductivity of TSW is a useful indicator to rapidly monitor fluctuations in treatment. A novel development in the study was the potential capacity of the plastic TSW discharge-pipes to behave as crude 'chromatographic' columns for possible Hg adsorption. If this property of the pipes is developed further it could have a considerable mitigating effect on the Hg levels. Possible recommendations for remediation to limit the Hg levels and promote sustainable development are discussed.     

Mercury pollution from irrigation with treated sewage water (TSW)

The lack of potable water in arid countries leads to the use of treated sewage water (TSW) for crop growth. Mercury accumulation (up to 500 ng/g) in agricultural soil originating from daily irrigation with TSW was found at two sites fed separately from a hospital sewage plant and an industrial plant. A control site irrigated with potable water ([Hg] <0.01 ng/ml) had much reduced levels in soil (<12 ng/g). Cold-vapour analysis of TSW revealed that Hg concentrations fluctuated widely, and were between 10-100 times higher than those of potable water. The TSW data originated from a total of 46 samples (1L each), from both plants, collected over a 6-month period. The Hg levels varied from 0.1 to 1.0 ng/ml, which suggested that the possible source of the accumulation could be found in continuous irrigation with comparatively higher Hg levels. Remedial measures could be approached from the perspective of curbing this inconsistency to produce more consistent Hg concentrations below 0.5 ng/ml. It was found that the electrical conductivity of TSW is a useful indicator to rapidly monitor fluctuations in treatment. A novel development in the study was the potential capacity of the plastic TSW discharge-pipes to behave as crude ‘chromatographic’ columns for possible Hg adsorption. If this property of the pipes is developed further it could have a considerable mitigating effect on the Hg levels. Possible recommendations for remediation to limit the Hg levels and promote sustainable development are discussed.     

Air Mercury Levels in a Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences School Building

No abstract available.