INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the effect of copper on chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency and on the properties (mainly settling and dewatering) and the composition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) when 20 mg/L Cu(II) was continuously dosed to a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) inoculated with activated sludge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The results showed that the continuous addition of 20 mg/L Cu(II) seriously inhibited the removal of sodium benzoate (provided as a model organic pollutant) by activated sludge in a SBR. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: After 40 days of acclimation, the removal efficiency presented a slight but unsteady recovery and the settling and dewatering properties improved, indicating that sludge bulking had been inhibited. Additionally, the proportion of loosely bound EPS in the total EPS increased with time and the relative composition of the total organics was polysaccharide > humic substances > protein > DNA. CONCLUSION: The effects of copper on the composition of EPS and the settling and dewatering properties of bulking activated sludge were also discussed for the first time in this paper.

INTRODUCTION: Two hundred twenty-five precipitation samples were collected at high- (summit, 1,534 m ASL) and low-elevation (base, 218 m ASL) sites between 2005 and 2008 in eastern China. The present work focused on the roles of long-range transport and under-cloud/boundary layer scavenging on chemical composition of precipitation collected at the two sites. METHODS: Ionic and trace species were analyzed in 225 precipitation samples. A total of 72 precipitation events occurring simultaneously at the summit and base sites were further examined. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) and backward air mass trajectories were used to identify the sources of precipitation pollutants. RESULTS: Low pH and high concentrations of ionic and trace species were measured at both sites. Inter-correlations for the simultaneous samples at the two sites were poor for trace elements (−0.07~0.47). A several fold increase in major ion (122~546%) and trace element (261~3,302%) concentrations occurred as the rain fell. Approximately 89% of the air masses responsible for the summit precipitation events were of distance origin. Marine salt, crustal material, fossil fuel burning plus secondary products, and metallic-industry-related factors were identified by PMF, contributing 9.7%, 22.8%, 41.8%, and 25.6%, respectively, to the precipitation pollutants at the summit and 13.3%, 31.9%, 39.6%, and 15.2%, respectively, at the base. CONCLUSIONS: Long-range atmospheric transport primarily influenced the high and the low site precipitation was strongly influenced by the under-cloud scavenging process of local boundary layer pollutants. Crustal material and fossil fuel burning plus secondary products were the predominant pollution sources in this region.

BACKGROUND, AIM, AND SCOPE: Ferro-cyanide is one of the commonly found species at cyanide-contaminated soils and groundwater. Unlike botanical metabolism of KCN via the β-cyanoalanine pathway, processes involved in the plant-mediated assimilation of ferro-cyanide are still unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate a possible mechanism involved in uptake and assimilation of ferro-cyanide by plants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Detached roots of plants were exposed to ferro-cyanide in a closed-dark hydroponic system amended with HgCl2, AgNO3, LaCl3, tetraethylammonium chloride (TEACl), or Na3VO4, respectively, at 25 ± 0.5°C for 24 h. Total CN, free CN-, and dissolved Fe2+ were analyzed spectrophotometrically. Activity of β-cyanoalanine synthase involved in cyanide assimilation was also assayed using detached roots of plants in vivo. RESULTS: Dissociation of ferro-cyanide [FeII(CN)6]-4 to free CN- and Fe2+ in solution was negligible. The applied inhibitors did not show any significant impact on the uptake of ferro-cyanide by soybean (Glycine max L. cv. JD 1) and hybrid willows (Salix matsudana Koidz × alba L.; p > 0.05), but rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. JY 98) was more susceptible to the inhibitors compared with the controls (p < 0.05). However, TEACl had the most severe effect on the assimilation of ferro-cyanide by soybean, hybrid willows, and maize (Zea mays L. cv. PA 78; p < 0.01), whereas AgNO3 was the most sensitive inhibitor to rice (p < 0.01). No measurable difference in β-cyanoalanine synthase activity of roots exposed to ferro-cyanide was observed compared with the control without any cyanides (p > 0.05), whereas roots exposed to KCN showed a considerable increase in enzyme activity (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Plants take up Fe2+ and CN- as a whole complex, and in vivo dissociation to free CN- is not prerequisite during the botanical assimilation of ferro-cyanide. Ferro-cyanide is likely metabolized by plants directly through an unknown pathway rather than the β-cyanoalanine pathway.

INTRODUCTION: Illicit drug use is a largely hidden phenomenon, and population measures are notoriously problematic. Reliable and valid data for local, regional, and national public health and other interventions are needed. METHODS: To address this information, we examined temporal trends within and across weeks in methamphetamine (MA) in a single location in order to inform a sampling plan for understanding long-term trends in MA use based on sampling raw influent to wastewater treatment plants. The measured concentrations in the wastewater are used to estimate the total mass of MA consumed rather than the number of doses due to the uncertainty surrounding methamphetamine purity, mass of MA per dose, and the number of doses used per day. RESULTS: Results from a region with high levels of MA use indicate that MA levels do not differ significantly between weekdays and weekends (p = 0.1), consistent with a predominately regular, daily use pattern use. The potential contribution of legal sales of D: - and L: -MA to the mass of MA consumed within the community was estimated to range from 3–8%. Limitations and uncertainties associated with estimating the mass of MA consumption include small contributions of prescription and over-the-counter drugs that are metabolized to MA as well as measurement and sampling variability.

Introduction Water contamination is a notable environmental problem of the Niger Delta, Nigeria. The present work is an improved attempt at a scientific discourse of water-quality issues in the Niger Delta of Nigeria with respect to heavy metal levels in surface water in view of the hitherto dearth of scientific data. Materials and methods We have looked at the Fe, Mn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Zn (quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry) profiles and some physicochemical properties (pH and salinity) of some surface water used by the local population in the mid Niger Delta. Surface water samples were collected from these surface waters in the dry and rainy seasons. Results Akiplai wellhead stream and Etebde River had the highest level of iron. In Delta State, high levels of cadmium were found in Ijala creek, Ubeji creek, Jeddo River, and Ekpan River, respectively. High lead levels were seen in Jeddo River, Ekurede-Itsekiri Creek, and Ughelli River. In River State, Tombia River had the highest levels of chromium, lead, and nickel. Ijala creek, Eja-Etan, Ifie-Kporo, Ubeji Creek, Jeddo, Ekpan Rivers, and Ekurede-Itsekiri Creek, all in Delta State, presented highest salinity levels. Orash River, Ughewhe stream, and Egbo stream have a lowest pH of 5.22, 5.32, and 5.53, respectively, while Ifie-Kporo River have a highest pH of 8.18. Conclusion Most of the metal levels were above US EPA Maximum Contaminant Level MCL indicative of water pollution which may be of public health importance, and we, therefore, recommend water-quality monitoring.

PURPOSE: The aim of this work was to determine some microbial characteristics of Mytilus galloprovincialis harvested from four stations, located in Izmir coastal area (Eastern Aegean Sea, Turkey). The area along the Izmir coast is densely populated, and it includes extensive agricultural lands, industrial and domestic discharge. Shellfish contamination from sewage-polluted waters is very important for public health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mussel samples were collected by SCUBA equipment. While, counts of culturable heterotrophic bacteria (aerobic, mesophilic) in samples were determined by the spread plate method, fecal coliforms were enumerated by the most probable number (MPN) method using the standard five-tube method. Additionally, samples were evaluated with the presence of Salmonella spp. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results showed that levels of fecal coliforms determined were higher than the allowed limit (>300 MPN/100 g) in all the stations during the study period. Maximum fecal coliform count was observed in all of the stations in March, May and November as 2.4 × 105 MPN/100 g. The mean number of culturable heterotrophic bacteria varied between 1.7 × 105 and 6.7 × 106 CFU/100g, and maximum heterotrophic bacteria level was recorded in March 2006. In addition, the presence of Salmonella spp. was positive in one or more stations in all periods except for January. CONCLUSION: The results obtained from this study can be of use to prevent potentially harmful adverse effects of microorganisms from polluted waters and shellfish. Necessary hygienic measurements should be regularly taken and shellfish products should certainly not be consumed raw or undercooked.

INTRODUCTION: It is predicted that demand for electricity in Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to increase dramatically in the future due to the rapid pace of economic development leading to construction of new power plants. At the present time, most of electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels which result in emission of great deal of pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHG) such as SO₂, NOₓ, and CO₂. The power industry is the largest contributor to these emissions. Due to minimal emission of GHG by renewable and nuclear power plants, they are most suitable replacements for the fossil-fueled power plants. However, the nuclear power plants are more suitable than renewable power plants in providing baseload electricity. The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, the only nuclear power plant of Iran, is expected to start operation in 2010. This paper attempts to interpret the role of Bushehr nuclear power plant (BNPP) in CO₂ emission trend of power plant sector in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to calculate CO₂ emissions from power plants, National CO₂ coefficients have been used. The National CO₂ emission coefficients are according to different fuels (natural gas, fuels gas, fuel oil). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: By operating Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in 2010, nominal capacity of electricity generation in Iran will increase by about 1,000 MW, which increases the electricity generation by almost 7,000 MWh/year (it is calculated according to availability factor and nominal capacity of BNPP). CONCLUSIONS: Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant will decrease the CO₂ emission in Iran power sector, by about 3% in 2010.

PURPOSE: Heterocyclic aromatic compounds containing nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen heteroatoms (NSO-HET) have been detected in air, soil, marine, and freshwater systems. However, only few publications are available investigating NSO-HET using in vitro bioassays. To support better characterization of environmental samples, selected NSO-HET were screened for dioxin-like activity in two bioassays. METHODS: The present study focuses on the identification and quantification of dioxin-like effects of 12 NSO-HET using the DR-CALUX assay, and the 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) assay with the permanent fish liver cell line RTL-W1. Changes of the total medium compound concentrations during the test procedure due to, e.g., sorption or volatilization were quantified using GC/MS. RESULTS: The NSO-HET benzofuran, 2,3-dimethylbenzofuran, dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophen, acridine, xanthene, and carbazole caused a response in the DR-CALUX assay. Only benzofuran and 2,3-dimethylbenzofuran were also positive in the EROD assay. All other compounds were inactive in the EROD assay. Relative potency (REP) values ranged from (2.80 ± 1.32) · 10−8 to (3.26 ± 2.03) · 10−6 in the DR-CALUX and from (3.26 ± 0.91) · 10−7 to (4.87 ± 1.97) · 10−7 in the EROD assay. CONCLUSIONS: The REP values were comparable to those of larger polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g., fluoranthene and pyrene. Thus, and because of the ubiquitous distribution of heterocyclic aromatic compounds in the environment, the provided data will further facilitate the bioanalytical and analytical characterization of environmental samples towards these toxicants.

PURPOSE: The purpose this research is to investigate the interaction of Cr(VI) species, present as Cr₂O₇ ²⁻, at ambient temperature with brick clay pre-fired at different temperatures. METHODS: A multi-technique approach was used for this investigation. Experiments such as surface titrations, Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms, mass-firing temperature investigation, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray fluorescence spectra, and X-ray diffraction were conducted in this investigation. RESULTS: Fired brick clay, which bears a negative charge according to surface titration measurements, shows affinity towards Cr(VI) species despite the negative charge of the source of Cr(VI). The Cr(VI)—brick clay heterogeneous system, which shows the strongest interaction with brick clay fired at 200°C, obeys both the Langmuir and the Freundlich adsorption isotherms with high regression coefficients. Investigation on surface charge, constituents of brick clay, acid treatment of clay particles, and the effect of firing temperature suggests that the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by reducing agents present in brick clay makes a significant contribution for adsorption of chromium species followed by subsequent removal. Scanning electron microscopic images support the adsorption of chromium species, and further, many metal ions are released as a result of Cr(VI)—brick clay interaction according to X-ray fluorescence studies. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that fired brick clay shows strong adsorption capacity on Cr(VI), having the maximum interaction with brick clay fired at 200°C. It is proposed that this methodology be extended for treatment of effluents containing Cr(VI) species.