Oil refinery effluents contain many chemicals at variable concentrations. Therefore, it is difficult to predict potential effects on the environment. The Atibaia River (SP, Brazil), which serves as a source of water supply for many municipalities, receives the effluents of one of the biggest oil refinery of this country. The aim of this study was to identify the (eco)toxicity of fresh water sediments under the influence of this oil refinery through neutral red (cytotoxicity) and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) assays (AhR-mediated toxicity) in RTL-W1 cells (derived from fish liver). Once the refinery captures the waters of Jaguarí River for the development of its activities and discharges its effluents after treatment into the Atibaia River, which then flows into Piracicaba River, sediments from both river systems were also investigated. The samples showed a high cytotoxic potential, even when compared to well-known pollution sites. However, the cytotoxicity of samples collected downstream the effluent was not higher than that of sediments collected upstream, which suggested that the refinery discharges are not the main source of pollution in those areas. No EROD activity could be recorded, which could be confirmed by chemical analyses of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that revealed a high concentration of phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, and pyrene, which are not EROD inducers in RTL-W1 cells. In contrast, high concentrations of PAHs were found upstream the refinery effluent, corroborating cytotoxicity results from the neutral red assay. A decrease of PAHs was recorded from upstream to downstream the refinery effluent, probably due to dilution of compounds following water discharges. On the other hand, these discharges apparently contribute specifically to the amount of anthracene in the river, since an increase of anthracene concentrations could be recorded downstream the effluent. Since the extrapolation of results from acute toxicity to specific toxic effects with different modes of action is a complex task, complementary bioassays covering additional specific effects should be applied in future studies for better understanding of the overall ecotoxicity of those environments.

As low-temperature molten salts, ionic liquids (ILs) were considered to be “green” solvents and have begun to see large-scale applications in the chemical reactions, in separation processes, in electrochemistry studies, etc. In recent years, the toxicity of ILs has started to draw attention. To evaluate the effects of the ionic liquid [Omim]Cl on indigenous microbial community in soil, Biolog-ECO plate method were used with the addition of four different concentrations of [Omim]Cl after four different incubation periods (7, 14, 21, 28 days). The present results showed that the average well color development (AWCD) was strongly activated when the soil was contaminated with [Omim]Cl in the early stages of the incubation. However, the activation effect disappeared with extended incubation time. Therefore, the toxic effects of the alkyl-imidazolium ionic liquid ([Omim]Cl) on the functional diversity of soil microbial communities may be reversible. In addition, the kinetic characteristics of microorganisms that used different categories of carbon sources indicated that phenolic compounds were the main C source in the sample soil.

Adsorption/desorption and desorption hysteresis of methamphetamine (MMA) on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as well as bioavailability of MMA were studied in simulated gastrointestinal fluids and background fluids. Adsorption of MMA in near-neutral (weak alkaline) intestinal fluid was enhanced, while adsorption of MMA on CNTs in acid gastric fluid was suppressed. Desorption of MMA is divided into fast and slow stages, and fast desorption conducting in the gastric fluid lasted shortly and slow desorption occurred in intestinal fluid; pepsin can enhance the release of MMA in gastrointestinal system. While, the acidic condition in gastric fluid is the main factor which causes the release of MMA. The amount of MMA released from CNTs in different fluids follows the order gastric > background (pH = 2.0) > intestinal (fed) > intestinal (fasted) > background (pH = 7.5). These findings in the simulated gastrointestinal system suggest that the release of MMA from CNTs could be promoted by biomacromolecules (such as pepsin and bile salts in digestive tract); thus, the bioavailability of MMA is enhanced.

In the frame of the Taparura Project, we studied the distribution of pico-, nano- and microphytoplankton communities in relation to environmental variables at 18 stations sampled during four coastal cruises conducted between October 2009 and July 2010 at the bottom, on the north coast of Sfax (Tunisia, Eastern Mediterranean Sea). The restoration effect on coastal ultraphytoplankton (<10 μm) and microphytoplankton (<200 μm) was investigated using conventional flow cytometry and inverted microscopy. Flow cytometry analysis of ultraphytoplankton resolved six groups (Prochlorococcus, Synechococcus, nanoeukaryotes and three distinct subgroups within picoeukaryotes). In addition to these autotrophic groups, two unknown groups were characterised on the north coast. Picophytoplankton abundance shifted from a summer dominance of Synechococcus to a dominance of picoeukaryotes and Prochlorococcus during spring. Nanoeukaryotes were the most abundant in spring. Microphytoplankton was resolved into five groups, labelled Bacillariophyceae, Dinophyceae, Cyanobacteriae, Euglenophyceae and Chlorophyceae. A total of 90 microphytoplankton species were identified in all stations, with an overwhelming abundance of large diatoms, a typical trait of benthic communities (Coscinodiscus sp., Grammatophora sp., Navicula sp., Pleurosigma sp., Striatella unipunctata …). Results collected in this study are favouring a beneficial impact on the ecosystem of the Sfax north coast restoration achieved by the Taparura Project.

This study investigated the material/substance flow of polybrominated diphenyl ethers listed in the Stockholm Convention (SC) as persistent organic pollutant (POP-PBDEs) in the most relevant plastic fractions in Nigeria. Considering the prohibition of production and the use of POP-PBDEs and knowing that these pollutants are still contained in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and associated wastes (WEEE), it is necessary to determine their flows, especially in developing countries with limited end-of-life management. Following the inventory approach of the SC Guidance and utilizing the existing national e-waste inventory together with monitoring data, a material/substance flow analysis was conducted using the STAN tool. Within the period of 2000 to 2010, the total import for EEE/WEEE in Category 3 and 4 was approximately 8 million tonnes (Mt) containing approximately 2.4 Mt of polymers. For the inventory year 2010, it was estimated that from these polymers, about 0.8 Mt was still in stock and 1.6 Mt has reached the end-of-life. It was also estimated that approximately 1.1 Mt has ended in dumpsites, 0.3 Mt was burned in the open, and 0.2 Mt was recycled. In the plastic fractions, 1,270 t of POP-PBDEs was contained with about 370 t still in use/stock and approximately 900 t has entered the end-of-life phase. All three major end-of-life treatments result in environmental pollution with associated exposure risk. The implementation of the Stockholm Convention represents an important opportunity to improve this management situation in Nigeria and other developing countries.

In the present study, the concentrations of trace and alkali metals in leaves of four common helophytes, Sparganium erectum, Glyceria maxima, Phalaris arundinacea, and Phragmites australis, as well as in corresponding water and bottom sediments were investigated to ascertain plant bioaccumulation ability. Results showed that Mn and Fe were the most abundant trace metals in all plant species, while Co and Pb contents were the lowest. Leaves of species studied differed significantly in respect of element concentrations. The highest concentrations of Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, and Ni were noted in S. erectum while the highest contents of Co, Ca, Zn, and Cr in Phalaris arundinacea. Phragmites australis contained the lowest amounts of most elements. Concentrations of Co, Cr, Fe, and Mn in all species studied and Ni in all except for Phragmites australis were higher than natural for hydrophytes. The leaves/sediment ratio was more than unity for all alkali metals as well as for Cu and Mn in Phragmites australis; Cr, Co, and Zn in Phalaris arundinacea; Cr and Mn in S. erectum; and Cr in G. maxima. High enrichment factors and high levels of toxic metals in the species studied indicated a special ability of these plants to absorb and store certain non-essential metals and, consequently, their potential for phytoremediation of contaminated aquatic ecosystems.

Selenium (Se) can alleviate the toxicity of antimony (Sb) in plants; however, the associated mechanisms have not been fully clarified. In this study, we hypothesize that Se can affect the subcellular distribution of Sb to regulate Sb toxicity. To test our hypothesis, two nested hydroponic experiments were performed by using paddy rice (Fengmeizhan). The results showed that Sb exerted toxic effects on the growth of paddy rice, and Se caused beneficial effects that were limited to the shoot growth. In general, Se and Sb mutually showed antagonistic effects on their uptake and concentrations in different subcellular fractions. However, in some cases, the stimulation effects of Sb on the Se concentration in chlorophyll (Chl) and cytosol (Cy) fractions or of Se on the Sb concentration in the cell wall fraction (Cw) were also observed in the shoots, which might suggest that Sb detoxification by Se is also related to the migration of both Se and Sb in cells. Selenium and Sb were primarily concentrated in the Cw and Cy, suggesting the important roles of these two fractions in detoxifying Se and Sb. When paddy rice was subjected to increasing Sb concentrations and a fixed Se concentration, most of the Se in the shoots was sequestered in the Cy (59.81–79.51 % of total Se) and more Se was transferred into the inner cell from Cw; however, in the roots, Se was primarily concentrated in the Cw (53.28–72.10 %). When paddy rice was exposed to increasing Se concentrations with a fixed Sb concentration, the Cw in both the shoots and roots might play an important role in binding Se, especially in the roots where up to 78.92 % of the total Se was sequestered in the Cw.

Cultivars of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) differ widely in their fruit cadmium (Cd) concentrations. Previously, we suggested that low-Cd cultivars are better able to prevent the translocation of Cd from roots to aboveground parts, but the corresponding mechanisms are still unknown. In this study, we aimed to improve understanding of the root morphological characteristics of the mechanisms involved in two low-Cd and a high-Cd cultivar. Seedlings were grown in nutrient solutions containing 0 (control), 2, and 10 μM Cd for 20 days, and Cd contents for the three cultivars were compared with changes in root morphology. The total root length (RL), root surface area (SA), number of root tips (RT), and specific root length (SRL) of all cultivars were decreased significantly by the 10 μM Cd treatment with the exception of the SA in JFZ, which showed no obvious change. For each cultivar, the 10 μM Cd treatment decreased significantly RL and SA specifically in roots with diameters (RD) of RD ≤ 0.2 mm or 0.2 mm < RD ≤ 0.4 mm, and increased significantly RL and SA specifically in roots with diameters of 0.6 mm < RD ≤ 0.8 mm. Hot pepper cultivars differ greatly in Cd accumulation and root morphology. In the 10 μM Cd treatment, root volume (RV), SA, and RT of all cultivars were negatively correlated with Cd concentration and amount in roots. However, RL, SA, RV, and RT of all cultivars were positively correlated with Cd concentration and amount in shoots, and translocation rate of Cd. The two low-Cd cultivars of hot pepper had less root tips, shorter root length, and smaller root surface area than the high-Cd cultivar in 10 μM Cd treatment, which may play a vital role in reducing root-to-shoot Cd translocation.

Soil is widely used as adsorbent for removing toxic pollutants from their aqueous solutions due to its wide availability and cost efficiency. This study investigates the potential of soil and soil composites for removal of crystal violet (CV) dye from solution on a comparative scale. Optimisation of different process parameters was carried out using a novel approach of response surface methodology (RSM) and a central composite design (CCD) was used for determining the optimum experimental conditions, as well as the result of their interactions. Around 99.85 % removal of CV was obtained at initial pH 6.4, which further increased to 99.98 % on using soil and cement composite proving it to be the best admixture of those selected. The phenomenon was found to be represented best by the Langmuir isotherm at different temperatures. The process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and was determined to be spontaneous chemisorption in nature. This adsorbent can hence be suggested as an appropriate liner material for the removal of CV dye.

The chemical extractability of As and Pb (by 5 mM CaCl₂, 0.1 M HCl, 0.05 M NH₄(H₂PO₄), and aqua regia) from soils and their phytoavailability (by Brassica juncea) were assessed using 16 soil samples collected as a function of distance from mine pits across three long-term abandoned metallic mine sites. The total concentrations of As and Pb (17–41,000 and 27–10,047 mg kg⁻¹, respectively) decreased with increasing separation distance from the mine pits along a declining slope. However, the percentage of chemically leachable As and Pb mass (e.g., by 5 mM CaCl₂, 0.1 M HCl, or 0.05 M NH₄(H₂PO₄)) relative to total mass (e.g., by aqua regia) tended to increase exponentially with distance, indicating more chemically labile fractions present in less contaminated downgradient soils. Among soil components, extractable As concentrations were best described by coupling DCB-Al with other Al and Fe oxides. For Pb concentration, pH coupled to DCB-Al or Ox-Al provided a good predictive relationship. The inhibitory growth and uptake by plants were best correlated with the extractable concentrations by 5 mM CaCl₂and 0.1 M HCl. In conclusion, the chemical extractability and phytoavailability of As and Pb are highly influenced by the relative labile fraction in abandoned mine soils, and its distribution in soils is essentially correlated with sampling distance from mine pits.