Reduction of Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Toxicity in Refinery Wastewater by Bioremediation

The aim of the study was to investigate petroleum waste remediation and toxicity reduction by five bacterial strains: Ralstonia picketti SRS (BP-20), Alcaligenes piechaudii SRS (CZOR L-1B), Bacillus subtilis (I'-1a), Bacillus sp. (T-1), and Bacillus sp. (T'-1), previously isolated from petroleum-contaminated soils. Petroleum hydrocarbons were significantly degraded (91%) by the mixed bacterial cultures in 30 days (reaching up to 29% in the first 72 h). Similarly, the toxicity of the biodegraded petroleum waste decreased 3-fold after 30 days. This work shows the influence of bacteria on hydrocarbon degradation and associated toxicity, and its dependence on the specific microorganisms present. The ability of these mixed cultures to degrade hydrocarbons and reduce toxicity makes them candidates for environmental restoration applications at other hydrocarbon-contaminated environments.     

炼油污水挥发物对作业工人脂质过氧化反应的影响

目的 探讨低浓度炼油污水作业对人体氧化和过氧化反应的影响。方法 检测73例污水处理作业工人和129例健康对照血清丙二醛（MDA）含量和血清超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、全血谷胱甘肽过氧化物醇（GSH－Px)和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活力。结果 污水处理作业工人血清SOD和全血GSH－Px活力与对照组相比,差异具有显著性（P＜0．01）,CAT的差异不具有显著性。中工龄组（5－20年）GSH－Px活力明显高于对照组,而高工龄组（＞20年）差异不具有显著性。接触组SOD活力仅低工龄组（＜5年）较对照组高（P＜0．05）。结论 低浓度长期接触炼油污水挥发物,体内的脂质过氧化反应和抗氧化机制均处于亢奋状态,后者可能是机体的一种防御机制。     

Contributions of Zn Ions to ZnO Nanoparticle Toxicity on Microcystis aeruginosa During Chronic Exposure

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology - In this work, we assessed the toxic effects of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs; 1, 10, and 50 mg L−1) and the corresponding...     

Toxicity of Lead-Contaminated Sediment to Mallards

Because consumption of lead-contaminated sediment has been suspected as the cause of waterfowl mortality in the Coeur d'Alene River basin in Idaho, we studied the bioavailability and toxicity of this sediment to mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). In experiment 1, one of 10 adult male mallards died when fed a pelleted commercial duck diet that contained 24% lead-contaminated sediment (with 3,400 μg/g lead in the sediment). Protoporphyrin levels in the blood increased as the percentage of lead-contaminated sediment in the diet increased. Birds fed 24% lead-contaminated sediment exhibited atrophy of the breast muscles, green staining of the feathers around the vent, viscous bile, green staining of the gizzard lining, and renal tubular intranuclear inclusion bodies. Mallards fed 24% lead-contaminated sediment had means of 6.1 μg/g of lead in the blood and 28 μg/g in the liver (wet-weight basis) and 1,660 μg/g in the feces (dry-weight basis). In experiment 2, we raised the dietary concentration of the lead-contaminated sediment to 48%, but only about 20% sediment was actually ingested due to food washing by the birds. Protoporphyrin levels were elevated in the lead-exposed birds, and all of the mallards fed 48% lead-contaminated sediment had renal tubular intranuclear inclusion bodies. The concentrations of lead in the liver were 9.1 μg/g for mallards fed 24% lead-contaminated sediment and 16 μg/g for mallards fed 48% lead-contaminated sediment. In experiment 3, four of five mallards died when fed a ground corn diet containing 24% lead-contaminated sediment (with 4,000 μg/g lead in this sample of sediment), but none died when the 24% lead-contaminated sediment was mixed into a nutritionally balanced commercial duck diet; estimated actual ingestion rates for sediment were 14% and 17% for the corn and commercial diets. Lead exposure caused elevations in protoporphyrin, and four of the five mallards fed 24% lead-contaminated sediment in a commercial diet and all five fed the contaminated sediment in a corn diet had renal intranuclear inclusion bodies. Lead was higher in the livers of mallards fed 24% lead-contaminated sediment in the corn diet (38μg/g) than in the commercial diet (13 μg/g). Received: 9 April 1998/Accepted: 21 October 1998     

Toxicity of Lead-Contaminated Sediment to Mute Swans

Most ecotoxicological risk assessments of wildlife emphasize contaminant exposure through ingestion of food and water. However, the role of incidental ingestion of sediment-bound contaminants has not been adequately appreciated in these assessments. This study evaluates the toxicological consequences of contamination of sediments with metals from hard-rock mining and smelting activities. Lead-contaminated sediments collected from the Coeur d'Alene River Basin in Idaho were combined with either a commercial avian maintenance diet or ground rice and fed to captive mute swans (Cygnus olor) for 6 weeks. Experimental treatments consisted of maintenance or rice diets containing 0, 12 (no rice group), or 24% highly contaminated (3,950 μg/g lead) sediment or 24% reference (9.7 μg/g lead) sediment. Although none of the swans died, the group fed a rice diet containing 24% lead-contaminated sediment were the most severely affected, experiencing a 24% decrease in mean body weight, including three birds that became emaciated. All birds in this treatment group had nephrosis; abnormally dark, viscous bile; and significant (p ≤ 0.05) reductions in hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations compared to their pretreatment levels. This group also had the greatest mean concentrations of lead in blood (3.2 μg/g), brain (2.2 μg/g), and liver (8.5 μg/g). These birds had significant (α = 0.05) increases in mean plasma alanine aminotransferase activity, cholesterol, and uric acid concentrations and decreased plasma triglyceride concentrations compared to all other treatment groups. After 14 days of exposure, mean protoporphyrin concentrations increased substantially, and mean δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity decreased by more than 95% in all groups fed diets containing highly contaminated sediments. All swans fed diets that contained 24% lead-contaminated sediment had renal acid-fast intranuclear inclusion bodies, which are diagnostic of lead poisoning in waterfowl. Body weight and hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations in swans on control (no sediment) and reference (uncontaminated) sediment diets remained unchanged. These data provide evidence that mute swans consuming environmentally relevant concentrations of Coeur d'Alene River Basin sediment developed severe sublethal lead poisoning. Furthermore, toxic effects were more pronounced when the birds were fed lead-contaminated sediment combined with rice, which closely resembles the diet of swans in the wild. Received: 12 July 2001/Accepted: 11 October 2002     

Developmental Toxicity of Lead-Contaminated Sediment to Mallard Ducklings

Sediment ingestion has been identified as an important exposure route for toxicants in waterfowl. The toxicity of lead-contaminated sediment from the Coeur d'Alene River Basin (CDARB) in Idaho was examined on posthatching development of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) ducklings for 6 weeks. Day-old ducklings received either untreated control diet, clean sediment (24%) supplemented control diet, CDARB sediment (3,449 μg/g lead) supplemented diets at 12% or 24%, or a positive control diet containing lead acetate equivalent to that found in 24% CDARB. The 12% CDARB diet resulted in a geometric mean blood lead concentration of 1.41 ppm (WW) with over 90% depression of red blood cell ALAD activity and over threefold elevation of free erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentration. The 24% CDARB diet resulted in blood lead of 2.56 ppm with over sixfold elevation of protoporphyrin and lower brain weight. In this group the liver lead concentration was 7.92 ppm (WW), and there was a 40% increase in hepatic reduced glutathione concentration. The kidney lead concentration in this group was 7.97 ppm, and acid-fast inclusion bodies were present in the kidneys of four of nine ducklings. The lead acetate positive control group was more adversely affected in most respects than the 24% CDARB group. With a less optimal diet (mixture of two thirds corn and one third standard diet), CDARB sediment was more toxic; blood lead levels were higher, body growth and liver biochemistry (TBARS) were more affected, and prevalence of acid-fast inclusion bodies increased. Lead from CDARB sediment accumulated more readily in duckling blood and liver than reported in goslings, but at given concentrations was generally less toxic to ducklings. Many of these effects are similar to ones reported in wild mallards and geese within the CDARB. Received: 2 September 1999/Accepted: 10 February 2000     

Contributions to an Understanding of the Music and Movement Connection

Movement is acknowledged in early years music education practice as a vital medium for the development of musical learning among young children. Existing explanations of the connection between music and movement seem to fall short of providing an explanation adequate for the immediate, expressive and integrated nature of this bond. Yet the synaesthetic nature of early childhood music activity is well recognised in the observations of researchers and those who have everyday care of children. This paper aims to contribute to an understanding of the music/movement connection by relating aspects of recent research into infant-caregiver interaction to musical development. Some alternative conceptions of the music and movement learning connection are proposed in the final section.     

Chronic Toxicity of Ammonia to the Freshwater Bivalve Sphaerium novaezelandiae

The chronic toxicity of total ammonium and unionized ammonia (NH₃) to the native New Zealand freshwater fingernail clam Sphaerium novaezelandiae was assessed in soft water under laboratory conditions. Control survival after 60 days was high (93%) and concentration-response relationships showed the sensitivity of S. novaezelandiae survival was markedly greater to both total and unionized ammonia (6.4× and 4.6×) after 60 days compared with the 30-day exposure at 20°C. Chronic mortality and number moribund (inability to rebury) showed similar sensitivities, but reproduction was a more sensitive endpoint based on a concentration-response analysis. The survival LC50 values for total and unionized ammonia were 3.8 mg (N)/L (pH 7.5) and 0.037 mg (NH₃-N)/L, and reproductive values 0.80 mg (N)/L (pH 7.5) and 0.013 mg (NH₃-N)/L at 60 days. No observed effect concentration (NOEC) values for both survival and reproduction were 0.97 mg (N)/L and 0.011 mg (NH₃-N)/L, and the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) values were 5.4 mg (N)/L and 0.046 mg (NH₃-N)/L for survival after 60 days, giving a calculated threshold effect concentration (TEC) of 2.3 mg (N)/L and 0.022 mg (NH₃-N)/L. Comparison of the S. novaezelandiae chronic ammonia sensitivity data with the US EPA criteria showed the survival and reproduction TEC values for total ammonia were 1.9× higher than the chronic criterion, and the lethality value 1.4× above the unionized ammonia criterion. The findings suggest that use of the US EPA criteria would provide minimal protection for S. novaezelandiae for chronic ammonia exposure, and that development of site-specific criteria, covering a wide range of environmental conditions, may be required to adequately protect all life stages of this species. Received: 23 September 1996/Accepted: 27 July 1998     

烹调油烟对雄性大鼠的生殖毒性

目的探讨烹调油烟(COF)对雄性大鼠生殖毒性作用。方法将30只雄性SD大鼠随机分为染毒组眼采用半动式吸入(43±4)mg/m3烹调油烟演和对照组(吸入24～28℃加热空气),每组15只,按3个时相(20、40、60d)观察COF对大鼠睾丸组织的病理改变以及对附睾精子畸变的影响。结果吸入COF40、60d时大鼠体重均有降低趋势;睾丸、附睾脏器与体重的比值均分别低于对照组(P<0.05),且呈时-效关系;染毒40、60d时精子含量和存活率显著降低,畸形率增高,死亡精子明显增多,且与对照相比,差异均有统计学意义。结论烹调油烟对大鼠睾丸和附睾具有明显毒性作用。     

大庆炼油厂重油催化裂化车间职业卫生学调查

为保护劳动者身体健康，了解劳动者在作业场所接触有毒有害物质浓渡（强度）以及职业卫生防护设施情况，我们于2006年对大庆炼油厂重油催化裂化车间生产环境进行了职业卫生学调查分析。     

QSARs for the Chronic Toxicity of Halogenated Benzenes to Bacteria in Natural Waters

No abstract available.     

烹调油烟冷凝物对人外周血淋巴细胞的遗传毒性

目的研究烹调油烟冷凝物对离体外周血淋巴细胞染色体畸变率和微核率的影响。方法人外周血淋巴细胞离体培养24h后,加入油烟冷凝物4、6、8、10μl,进行染色体畸变试验和微核试验。结果和对照组相比,加入油烟冷凝物后细胞染色体畸变率显著性升高(P<0.05),与加入油烟冷凝物的剂量呈正相关(r=0.987)。各剂量组微核率无显著性变化。结论烹调油烟冷凝物可引起外周血淋巴细胞的染色体畸变,对微核的产生影响较小。     

DDT Toxicity and Critical Body Residue in the Amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus in Exposures to Spiked Sediment

The lethal and sublethal toxicity of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) to the estuarine amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus was determined using sediment spiked with ¹⁴C-labeled compound. Juvenile amphipods were exposed to concentrations up to 9.9 nmol/g dry weight (3.5 μg/g). Acute effects on survival were determined in a 10-day experiment. Chronic effects on survival, growth, and reproduction were assessed in a 28-day experiment. The DDT in the sediments transformed to dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and polar metabolites during the 14-day sediment storage prior to exposing the amphipods. The mixture of DDT and its breakdown products (tDDT) was comprised mostly of DDT at the beginning of the exposures. DDD was the prevalent compound at termination of the 28-day exposure. Complete mortality occurred at sediment concentrations of tDDT as low as 7 nmol/g (2.3 μg/g) in both acute and chronic experiments. Most of the mortality appeared to have occurred within the first 4 days of exposure. No sublethal reductions in growth or reproduction were observed in the 28-day experiment. In the 10-day experiment, where amphipods did not receive supplemental food, growth was significantly increased in DDT treatments where survival was not affected. The concentration of tDDT in amphipod tissues was determined at exposure termination. In the 10-day experiment, a mean body residue of 14 nmol/g wet weight was associated with significant mortality (30%). Lower critical body residues were observed in the 28-day experiment, where the median lethal tissue residue (LR₅₀) was 7.6 (6.8–8.4, 95% confidence interval) nmol/g wet weight. Based on previous studies, the lethal critical body residue for L. plumulosus is similar to those determined for freshwater amphipods and substantially lower than those determined for cladocerans and polychaetes. Received: 8 November 2000/Accepted: 19 March 2001