The growth behavior of Chlorella vulgaris in the presence of 4-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol

Toxicity of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) on the growth of Chlorella vulgaris was investigated in batch reactors. Results revealed that 4-CP did not adversely affect the growth of algae up to 20mg/L, however higher concentrations inhibited growth appreciably and no growth was detected at 100mg/L. 4-CP also caused some physiological changes in the algal cells as increasing initial 4-CP concentration caused a linear decrease in chlorophyll a (chl-a) content of the cell. 2,4-DCP up to 20mg/L did not exert toxic effect on the growth of C. vulgaris, rather an induction effect was evident. Unlike a linear decrease with 4-CP, no exact correlation between 2,4-DCP concentration and chl-a content of the cell was observed, but it was certain that the presence of 2,4-DCP caused some physiological changes in the cell of C. vulgaris. No biodegradation of 4-CP and 2,4-DCP was observed over a 30-day incubation.     

Comparison of Current-Use Pesticide and Other Toxicant Urinary Metabolite Levels among Pregnant Women in the CHAMACOS Cohort and NHANES

Background

We measured 34 metabolites of current-use pesticides and other precursor compounds in urine samples collected twice during pregnancy from 538 women living in the Salinas Valley of California, a highly agricultural area (1999–2001). Precursors of these metabolites included fungicides, carbamate, organochlorine, organophosphorus (OP), and pyrethroid insecticides, and triazine and chloroacetanilide herbicides. We also measured ethylenethiourea, a metabolite of the ethylene-bisdithiocarbamate fungicides. Repeat measurements of the compounds presented here have not been reported in pregnant women previously. To understand the impact of the women’s regional environment on these findings, we compared metabolite concentrations from the CHAMACOS (Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas) cohort with U.S. national reference data for 342 pregnant women sampled by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2002).

Results

The eight metabolites detected in > 50% of samples [2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP); 2,5-dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP); 1- and 2-naphthol; ortho-phenylphenol (ORTH); para-nitrophenol (PNP); 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP); and 3,4,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy)] may be related to home or agricultural pesticide use in the Salinas Valley, household products, and other sources of chlorinated phenols. More than 78% of women in this study had detectable levels of at least one of the OP pesticide-specific metabolites that we measured, and > 30% had two or more. The 95th percentile values of six of the most commonly detected (> 50%) compounds were significantly higher among the CHAMACOS women after controlling for age, race, socioeconomic status, and smoking [(2,4-DCP; 2,5-DCP; ORTH; PNP; 2,4,6-TCP; and TCPy); quantile regression p < 0.05].

Conclusions

Findings suggest that the CHAMACOS cohort has an additional burden of precursor pesticide exposure compared with the national sample, possibly from living and/or working in an agricultural area.     

Comparison of Some Soil Fungi in Bioremediation of Herbicide Acetochlor Under Agitated Culture Media

In this study, we aimed to find out the biodegradation efficiency of some soil fungi types on herbicide acetochlor with acetochlor active material, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅) and total organic carbon (TOC) parameters. We also try to determine the population dynamics of these fungi via turbidity. The fungi cultures were isolated from agricultural field in in Thrace region of Turkey. Each fungi enriched in malt extract broth media and 1 mL of these enriched media was inoculated into 100 mL of acetochlor solutions that suggested for using application concantrations in agricultural field for farmers (11000 mg L^?1) for sunflower and corn agriculture. Bioremediation results of acetochlor have shown different results according to the types of fungi. Our results indicate that Tolypocladium geodes and Cordyceps cicadae might be used in acetochlor bioremediation with a significant acetochlor, COD, TOC and BOD₅ reduction and can be used for rehabilitation of agricultural fields or receiving environments for removal the opposite effects of acetochlor or other herbicides.     

Internal exposure to hazardous substances of persons from various continents: investigations on exposure to different organochlorine compounds

 The aim of the study was to investigate the concentration of organochlorine compounds of environmental-medical relevance in biological materials from refugees with regard to their countries of origin and to compare these concentrations with the internal exposure of the German general population. Methods: During medical examination after entry to Germany specimens could be taken from the refugees to determine the following parameters of biological monitoring: 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (DDE-P), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB-P), pentachlorophenol (PCP-P) and the beta- and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexanes (β-HCH-P, γ-HCH-P) in plasma and the excretion of chlorophenols (4-MCP-U, 2,4-DCP-U, 2,5-DCP-U, 2,4,5-TCP-U, 2,4,6-TCP-U, 2,3,4,5-TeCP-U, 2,3,5,6-TeCP-U) in urine. One hundred and three men (13 from former Yugoslavia, 29 from the former USSR, 33 Africans and 28 Asians) ranging from 16 to 53 years of age (median 27 years) were investigated. Thirty four male Germans without occupational exposure to these substances and a similar age structure (age 25–36 years; median 26 years) served as a control group. Results: A much higher level of internal exposure was found for the DDT meta bolite, DDE, for those persons from Asia, the former USSR and Africa compared with the German controls (medians: 16.9 μg/l, 11.9 μg/l, 10.9 μg/l and 1.1 μg/l). The levels of PCB in plasma were below the detection limit in the majority of refugees. In the control group, however, the PCB levels were higher (ΣPCB: median: 2.1 μg/l, maximum: 13.3 μg/l). The highest β-HCH concentrations, up to a maximum of 15.5 μg/l, were detected in the persons from the former USSR and Asia. The five groups do not differ with regard to internal exposure to PCP and γ-HCH. Renal excretion of 4-MCP, 2,4-DCP and TeCP did not differ between the five groups. The concentrations of 2,5-DCP in urine, however, were significantly lower in the Germans than the refugees from the four regions investigated. The median for the Germans was 3.0 μg/l and for the refugees between 10.8 and 14.7 μg/l. Also the levels of 2,4,5-TCP and 2,4,6-TCP in urine were lower in the German controls than in the men from the former USSR, Africa and Asia. Conclusions: Organochlorine compounds exist worldwide due to their extensive use. There are, however, regional differences for the various substance groups, which during biological monitoring are seen in the different background exposures of the general population. Particularly characteristic are markedly higher levels of DDE in plasma from the refugees compared with the German population. Received: 11 July 1996/Accepted: 16 September 1996     

Biodegradability assessment of ozonated raw and biotreated pharmaceutical wastewater

The activated sludge specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) and BOD₅/COD ratios of biologically pretreated pharmaceutical wastewater were analyzed and compared to assess relative changes in biotreatability during ozonation at a rate of 7.4 g/(L × h) for 4 h. An appreciable COD removal (41%) was achieved by the initial biological treatment process, whereas ozonation was more effective in reducing the UV-sensitive aromatic compounds present in the pretreated effluent. Sequential treatment using activated sludge + ozonation processes resulted in an average COD removal efficiency of 48%, and a proceeding biotreatment stage increased the overall COD removal to 53%. An optimum ozone dose in the range of 1,854–3,708 mg/L corresponding to a specific ozone input rate of 0.23–0.46 mg O₃/mg COD_o existed where SOUR (3.7 × 10⁻³ mg O₂/[mg MLSS × min] for ozonation at pH 8) and BOD₅/COD (0.57) as well as the proceeding biological COD removal yield Y _COD (average 8 mg COD/mg MLSS) exerted maximum values. Received: 24 November 2001/Accepted: 25 April 2002     

Effects of phenol, 2,4-dimethylphenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol,and pentachlorophenol on embryo,larval, and early-juvenile fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas)

Embryos of fathead minnows were more resistant to phenol, 2,4-dimethylphenol (2,4-DMP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), and pentachloro-phenol (PCP) than were larval or juvenile life stages. Growth of 28-day-old fish was the most sensitive indicator of stress during exposures to phenol, 2,4-DMP, and PCP, whereas survival was the most sensitive indicator of toxic effects from 2,4-DCP exposure. Based on these effects, the estimated maximum acceptable toxicant concentration for fathead minnows in Lake Superior water lies between 1,830 and 3,570g/L for phenol; 1,970 and 3,110g/L for 2,4-DMP; 290 and 460g/L for 2,4-DCP; and 44.9 and 73.0g/L for PCP.     

Remediation of Soil Contaminated with 2,4-Dichlorophenol by Treatment of Minced Shepherd’s Purse Roots

This study investigated the applicability of minced shepherd’s purse root containing high peroxidase activity as a catalytic agent instead of purified and immobilized peroxidase for the remediation of soil contaminated with phenolic pollutants, using 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) as a model pollutant. The removal of 2,4-DCP in the soil was extremely fast when treated with peroxide and minced shepherd’s purse root, and maximal removal was achieved within 10 min. Increasing the reaction temperature did not significantly influence removal of 2,4-DCP incubated with shepherd’s purse. The removal of 2,4-DCP was dependent on the amount of shepherd’s purse and the soil moisture content. Increasing the amount of shepherd’s purse and moisture mixed with soil caused an increased removal of 2,4-DCP. Calcium peroxide was more effective than hydrogen peroxide, and maximal removal was achieved in 20 mM of both peroxides. The efficiency of 2,4-DCP removal decreased with increasing 2,4-DCP concentration but was greater than 60% at 500 to 1000 mg kg^-1. Our results provide strong evidence that shepherd’s purse can be used to remediate soil contaminated with phenolic pollutants.     

Comparison of Spectrolyser Device Measurements with Standard Analysis of Wastewater Samples in Novi Sad,Serbia

On-line monitoring was performed using spectrolyser equipment, coupled with laboratory analysis for samples collected from wastewater discharge in the city of Novi Sad, Serbia, during first 24 h of three and 48 h of six monitoring campaigns from December of 2012 to April of 2013. Significant correlation with R² > 0.9 was observed between laboratory analysis and spectrolyser measurements for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD) concentrations. COD/BOD₅ ratio in combined industrial and municipal wastewater ranged from 1.2 to 2.0 indicating the presence of biodegradable organic matter which could be easily removed using aeration treatment process. Micro/trace element and/or heavy metals in wastewater samples were within the limits as per the standard prescribed for wastewater, and should not pose any serious hazard risk. However BOD, COD, ammonia and total phosphorus concentrations were measured above the limit value according to Serbian and EU legislation and should be reduced before discharging wastewater directly into the Danube River.     

Physico-chemical,microbiological and ecotoxicological evaluation of a septic tank/Fenton reaction combination for the treatment of hospital wastewaters

Hospital wastewater is considered a complex mixture populated with pathogenic microorganisms. The genetic constitution of these microorganisms can be changed through the direct and indirect effects of hospital wastewater constituents, leading to the appearance of antibiotic multi-resistant bacteria. To avoid environmental contamination hospital wastewaters must be treated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of hospital wastewater treated by a combined process of biological degradation (septic tank) and the Fenton reaction. Thus, after septic tank biodegradation, batch Fenton reaction experiments were performed in a laboratory-scale reactor and the effectiveness of this sequential treatment was evaluated by a physico-chemical/microbiological time-course analysis of COD, BOD₅, and thermotolerant and total coliforms. The results showed that after 120 min of Fenton treatment BOD₅ and COD values decreased by 90.6% and 91.0%, respectively. The BOD₅/COD ratio changed from 0.46 to 0.48 after 120 min of treatment. Bacterial removal efficiency reached 100%, while biotests carried out with Scenedesmus subspicatus and Daphnia magna showed a significant decrease in the ecotoxicity of hospital wastewater after the sequential treatment. The use of this combined system would ensure that neither multi-resistant bacteria nor ecotoxic substances are released to the environment through hospital wastewater discharge.     

Urinary 2,5-Dichlorophenol as Biological Index for p-Dichlorobenzene Exposure in the General Population

The relationship between exposure to p-dichlorobenzene (p-DCB) and urinary excretion of 2,5-dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP), the major metabolite of p-DCB, was examined to evaluate the usefulness of the metabolite as a biological index for low-level exposure of p-DCB in the general population. Personal exposure concentrations of p-DCB and concentrations of 2,5-DCP excreted in the urine of 119 adults living in Osaka were determined. Airborne p-DCB was collected for 24 h by passive gas sampling tubes packed with charcoal. The tubes were exchanged every 12 h. The sampling was started immediately after the subject woke up in the morning (7 A.M.). The collected p-DCB was desorbed with toluene and measured using a gas chromatograph with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD). On the other hand, the first morning urine samples were collected at the endpoint of airborne p-DCB sampling (7 A.M. the next morning). The urine samples were hydrolyzed with concentrated sulfuric acid. 2,5-DCP in the hydrolysates was extracted with n-hexane and measured by GC-ECD. Both p-DCB and 2,5-DCP were detected in more than 99% of the air and urine samples, respectively, from the participants. The median of p-DCB exposure concentrations for 24 h was 2.5 ppb, with a maximum concentration of 33.3 ppb. The median of urinary 2,5-DCP concentrations was 0.39 mg/g creatinine, with the maximum concentration of 3.32 mg/g creatinine. The regression line between the urinary 2,5-DCP concentration (y) and the p-DCB exposure concentration (x) was y = 0.080 x + 0.181, with the Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.81 (p < 0.001), demonstrating a strong association between these measurements. Consequently, urinary 2,5-DCP should be suitable as an index for monitoring low-level exposure of p-DCB in the general population. Received: 25 October 2001/Accepted: 4 March 2002     

Comparison of two screening bioassays, based on the frog sciatic nerve and yeast cells, for the assessment of herbicide toxicity

Two different test systems, one based on the isolated sciatic nerve of an amphibian and the other on a microbial eukaryote, were used for the assessment of herbicide toxicity. More specifically, we determined the deleterious effects of increasing concentrations of herbicides of different chemical classes (phenoxyacetic acids, triazines, and acetamides), and of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), a degradation product of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), on electrophysiological parameters and the vitality of the axons of the isolated sciatic nerve of the frog (Rana ridibunda) and on the growth curve of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae based on microtiter plate susceptibility assays. The no-observed-effect-concentration (NOEC), defined as the maximum concentration of the tested compound that has no effect on these biological parameters, was estimated. In spite of the different methodological approaches and biological systems compared, the NOEC values were identical and correlated with the lipophilicity of the tested compounds. The relative toxicity established here, 2,4-DCP > alachlor, metolachlor > metribuzin > 2,4-D, 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA), correlates with the toxicity indexes reported in the literature for freshwater organisms. Based on these results, we suggest that the relatively simple, rapid, and low-cost test systems examined here may be of interest as alternative or complementary tests for toxicological assessment of herbicides.     

Urinary concentrations of dichlorophenol pesticides and obesity among adult participants in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2008

Accumulating evidence from recent studies has suggested a possible link between exposure to environmental pesticides and obesity. In this study, we assessed the potential associations between exposure to dichlorophenol pesticides and obesity in adults. Study participants aged 20–85 years were selected from the 2005 to 2006 and 2007 to 2008 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and were categorized as obese and non-obese based on body mass index. Creatinine-corrected urinary concentrations of dichlorophenols were determined to assess level of exposure to environmental pesticides. Multivariate logistic regression was performed using SAS 9.3 to assess the association between 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and 2,5-dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP) levels in urine and obesity with adjustment for potential confounders. Significantly higher geometric means of urinary concentrations of both 2,5-DCP (p < 0.0001) and 2,4-DCP (p = 0.0170) were seen in obese adults, compared to that in non-obese adults. A dose-dependent increase in the prevalence of obesity was observed in the study participants across increasing levels of urinary 2,5-DCP (p-trend < 0.0001). Urinary concentrations of 2,5-DCP were significantly associated with obesity among the second (AOR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.93), third (AOR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.87), and fourth (AOR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.17) inter-quartiles after adjustment for age, gender, race, education, total fat intake, and physical activity. A statistically significant association was not seen between urinary 2,4-DCP and obesity. Our findings suggest a potential relationship between exposure to the fumigant insecticide paradichlorobenzene, measured as urinary concentrations of 2,5-DCP, and obesity in adults. Because we cannot rule out the possibility of reverse causality in our study, prospective studies measuring exposure during etiologically relevant periods are warranted.     

Internal exposure to organic substances in a municipal waste incinerator

Summary Fifty-three persons occupied in a municipal waste incinerator were examined with respect to their internal exposure to organic substances which may be produced during pyrolysis of organic matter. For this purpose the levels of benzene in blood, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in plasma, and mono- (MCPs), di- (DCPs), tri- (TCPs), tetra-(TECPs) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) and hydroxypyrene in urine were determined. For control purposes, 431 men and women were examined. Significantly higher values for the workers were found for the excretion of hydroxypyrene [median (m): 0.24vs 0.11 g/l; non-smokers], 2,4/2,5-DCP (m: 10.5 vs 3.9 g/l) and 2,4,5-TCP (m: 1.2 vs 0.8 g/l) and for the HCB level in plasma (m: 4.4 vs 2.8 g/l). For the concentrations of 4-MCP and 2,3,4,6/2,3,5,6-TECP, the controls had significantly higher concentrations in urine than did the workers in the incineration plant (m: 4-MCP 1.7 vs 1.2; 2,3,4,6/2,3,5,6-TECP: 1.2 vs 0.3 g/l). No significant differences between workers and controls were detected with respect to benzene in blood (m: 0.20 vs 0.28 g/l; non-smokers), 2,4,6-TCP and PCPs in urine (m: 0.85 vs 0.60 and 2.2 vs 2.2 g/l) or the levels of PCB congeners in plasma (m: 138, 153, 180: 5.6 vs 4.1 g/l). The elevated levels of hydroxypyrene, 2,4/2,5-DCP, 2,4,5-TCP and HCB in biological material may be related to the incineration of the waste. These elevations, however, are very small and are of interest more from the environmental than from the occupational point of view.     

Relationships between epipelic diatoms, aquatic macrophytes, and water quality in Akar?ay Stream, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey

The Akar?ay is the most important stream in the Afyonkarahisar region in central Turkey. In this study, the relationships between epipelic diatoms, macrophytes, and the water quality of Akar?ay Stream are presented. According to Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), BOD₅, COD, TDS, NH₄-N, NO₂-N, and PO₄-P had the most significant effects on the diatom and macrophyte community structures of the stream. According to CCA and Correspondence Analysis (CA), dominant diatom species and macrophytes constituted two groups, eutrophic and polluted. While eutraphentic taxa were abundant among upstream diatoms, hypereutraphentic taxa were found downstream in the Akar?ay. The diatom assemblages in the sites upstream were generally characterized by an abundance of ??-mesosaprobous and ??-mesosaprobous species, while the diatom assemblages downstream had a very high abundance of polisaprobous species. Eutrophic and hypertrophic macrophyte taxa (such as Lemna trisulca, Potamogeton nodosus, and Ranunculus sp.) covered a high percentage of the stream bottom. Both diatom indices and macrophyte indices with the exception of the Biological Macrophyte Index of Rivers (IBMR) were correlated with BOD₅, COD, TDS, NH₄-N, NO₂-N, PO₄-P, and EC. Physicochemical variables, diatom and macrophyte taxa and the results of diatom and macrophyte indices indicated that the Akar?ay stream basin is eutrophic and organically polluted.     

Comparative Toxicokinetics of Explosive Compounds in Sheepshead Minnows

Juvenile sheepshead minnows Cyprinodon variegatus were exposed to the explosive compounds 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), octahydro−1,3,5,7-tetranitro−1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) and to the TNT transformation products 2-aminodinitrotoluene (2-ADNT) and 2,4-diaminonitrotoluene (2,4-DANT) in five separate water-only experiments. A one-compartment model was used to characterize uptake (k_u) and elimination (k_e) rate constants and to estimate bioconcentration factors (BCFs). The compounds investigated in this study are weakly hydrophobic. Kinetically derived BCFs (9.6, 13.1, 0.5, 1.7, and 0.5 ml g^–1 for TNT, 2-ADNT, 2,4-DANT, RDX, and HMX, respectively) confirmed the expected low bioaccumulative potential of those compounds and the positive relationship between log BCF and log K_ow (1.6, 2.0, 0.8, 0.9, and 0.2 for TNT, 2-ADNT, 2,4-DANT, RDX, and HMX, respectively). The uptake clearance (k_u) was relatively slow for all compounds (7.3, 12.6, 1.3, 0.15, and 0.06 ml g^–1h^–1 for TNT, 2-ADNT, 2,4-DANT, RDX, and HMX, respectively), and overall, it decreased with decreasing compound hydrophobicity. Elimination was extremely fast for the nitroaromatic compounds (0.77, 0.96, and 2.74 h⁻¹ for TNT, 2-ADNT, and 2,4-DANT, respectively), thus resulting in very short biological half-lives (<1 hour), but it was much slower for the cyclonitramines (0.09 h^–1 for RDX and 0.12 h⁻¹ for HMX). Although ADNTs were present in fish exposed to TNT, the parent compound was the dominant compound in tissues during the uptake and elimination exposures. The rates of metabolite formation (0.06 h^–1) and elimination (0.16 h^–1) were much slower than the rate of elimination of the parent compound (0.80 h^–1). Because of the fast elimination rate of TNT and its transformation products and the exceedingly low bioaccumulative potential of RDX and HMX, exposure conditions likely associated with the presence of explosives in aquatic systems are unlikely to pose unacceptable risks to fish.     

Urinary 2,5-dichlorophenol as biological index for p-dichlorobenzene exposure in the general population

The relationship between exposure to p-dichlorobenzene (p-DCB) and urinary excretion of 2,5-dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP), the major metabolite of p-DCB, was examined to evaluate the usefulness of the metabolite as a biological index for low-level exposure of p-DCB in the general population. Personal exposure concentrations of p-DCB and concentrations of 2,5-DCP excreted in the urine of 119 adults living in Osaka were determined. Airborne p-DCB was collected for 24 h by passive gas sampling tubes packed with charcoal. The tubes were exchanged every 12 h. The sampling was started immediately after the subject woke up in the morning (7 A.M.). The collected p-DCB was desorbed with toluene and measured using a gas chromatograph with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD). On the other hand, the first morning urine samples were collected at the endpoint of airborne p-DCB sampling (7 A.M. the next morning). The urine samples were hydrolyzed with concentrated sulfuric acid. 2,5-DCP in the hydrolysates was extracted with n-hexane and measured by GC-ECD.Both p-DCB and 2,5-DCP were detected in more than 99% of the air and urine samples, respectively, from the participants. The median of p-DCB exposure concentrations for 24 h was 2.5 ppb, with a maximum concentration of 33.3 ppb. The median of urinary 2,5-DCP concentrations was 0.39 mg/g creatinine, with the maximum concentration of 3.32 mg/g creatinine. The regression line between the urinary 2,5-DCP concentration (y) and the p-DCB exposure concentration (x) was y = 0.080 x + 0.181, with the Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.81 (p < 0.001), demonstrating a strong association between these measurements. Consequently, urinary 2,5-DCP should be suitable as an index for monitoring low-level exposure of p-DCB in the general population.     

Biotransformation and antioxidant enzymes of Limnoperna fortunei detect site impact in watercourses of Córdoba,Argentina

The golden mussel Limnoperna fortunei was used as a biomonitor of environmental pollution in the Suquía River basin around Córdoba City (Argentina). The sampling sites along the river were chosen according to their increasing levels of pollutants (e.g. heavy metals) as well as biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). A water quality index (WQI) was constructed from the interaction of several normalized factors that affect the aquatic environment, such as the mentioned pollutants and physico-chemical characteristics of the sampling sites. Activity changes of biotransformation enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) and the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT), after exposure to pollutants, served as biomarkers. Membrane bound GST and antioxidant enzymes responded at the most polluted sampling site within 1 day showing increased activities lasting for 4 days. Further sampling was restricted due to no survival of the animals. Antioxidant enzymes GPx, GR and CAT were sensitive responding to the different pollution scenarios, showing good correlation to the chemical characterization.     

Biodegradation of 4-chlorophenol by acclimated and unacclimated activated sludge--evaluation of biokinetic coefficients

Unacclimated and acclimated activated sludges were examined for their ability to degrade 4-CP (4-chlorophenol) in the presence and absence of a readily growing substrate using aerobic batch reactors. The effects of 4-CP on the micro (specific growth rate), COD removal efficiency, Y (yield coefficient), and q (specific substrate utilization rate) were investigated. It was observed that the toxicity of 4-CP on the culture decreased remarkably after acclimation. For example, the IC(50) value on the basis of micro was found to increase from 130 to 218 mg/L with the acclimation of the culture. Although an increase in 4-CP concentration up to 300 mg/L has no adverse effect on the COD removal efficiency of the acclimated culture, a considerable decrease was observed in the case of an unacclimated culture. Although 4-CP removal was not observed with an unacclimated culture, almost complete removal was achieved with the acclimated culture, up to 300 mg/L. The Haldane kinetic model adequately predicted the biodegradation of 4-CP and the kinetic constants obtained were q(m)=41.17 mg/(gMLVSSh), K(s)=1.104 mg/L, and K(i)=194.4 mg/L. The degradation of 4-CP led to formation of 5-chloro-2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde, which was further metabolized, indicating complete degradation of 4-CP via a meta-cleavage pathway.     

Biodegradability of chlorophenols and mixtures of chlorophenols in seawater

Laboratory studies using chemical concentrations comparable to those found in nature have provided considerable knowledge of microbial transformations in nature. Although the number of studies performed is increasing rapidly, the effects of low substrate levels on growth, enzyme induction, enzyme activity, and the use of mixtures of substrates have not yet been clarified. Likewise, studies at low concentrations in seawater are lacking. This paper describes a study of the rates of degradation of chlorophenols 4-chlor-2-methylphenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol at concentrations ranging from 2 to 18 micrograms/liter. The compounds were tested separately, in a mixture, and in waste water containing other organics. The obtained rates of 2,4-DCP in seawater were comparable to those found in fresh water. Also, the rates were in general agreement with a kinetic model proposed for degradation of chlorophenols. The rates of degradation of chlorophenols in the mixture were comparable to those found when tested separately. In the waste, very low rates were observed. It is suggested that this might be explained by a toxic effect, caused by other substances in the waste water, on the microorganisms considered to be active in degrading the chlorophenols at low concentrations.     

Effects of 2,4-dichlorophenol on the net-spinning behavior of hydropsyche slossonae larvae (Trichoptera; Hydropsychidae), an early warning signal of chronic toxicity

In order to assess the potential of hydropsychid capture net anomalies as a bioindicator of chronic toxicity in streams and rivers, the effects of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) exposure on the net-spinning behavior of Hydropsyche slossonae were examined for anomalies after 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 exposure days to gradient concentration of 2,4-dichlorophenol. The net-spinning behavior was significantly affected when larvae were exposed to 1.0, 10, 25, and 50 microg small middle dotL(-1), as expressed by the occurrence of two distinct abnormalities. The first one was a distortion of the midline meshes, where the normal diamond-shape structure is disrupted and the meshes are separated by extra strands (called "midline anomaly). The second aberration observed was called "chaotic net, where the nets are highly irregular without any real structure or well-defined areas. A good correlation was found between the chaotic net frequencies and the reduction of ATP concentrations in the larvae, indicating possible uncoupling effects of 2,4-DCP on the oxidative phosphorylation process. Toxicity curves demonstrate that the sensitivity threshold of chaotic net frequencies ranged from 3.5 to 7 microg small middle dotL(-1), which is highly sensitive compared with other sublethal effects of 2,4-DCP on other aquatic species.