peer reviewed | Elemental carbon and nitrogen levels and isotope ratios were assessed in different biological compartments of a Northwest (NW) Mediterranean bay to trace the various sources of nutrient input from natural (river runoffs) and anthropogenic (harbor outflows, fish farms and urban sewage outfall) sources. Samples from transplanted mussels and natural sea grass communities (Posidonia oceanica leaves and epiphytes) were harvested from different locations throughout the bay during the touristic summer and rainy seasons. The results from the nitrogen analysis revealed that sewage and harbor outflow promote higher nitrogen levels, enrichment of N-15 in the tissues, and a higher seasonal variability in sea grass and epiphytes. In mussel tissues, the delta N-15 was also influenced by sewage and harbor outflow, whereas delta C-13 was influenced by terrestrial inputs. These results suggest that natural and anthropogenic nutrient inputs have a temporary and localized influence and affect the sensitivity of natural isotopic ratios to changes in hydrologic conditions, especially to rain and tourism. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The organic micro-pollutants recently studied in the lake Leman waters and ecosystem are non-polar volatil substances and organochlorines like PCBs and DDT. The main volatil substances found are tetra- and trichloroethylene and 1,4 - dichlorobenzene. Concentration of this substances seems not ta be alarming. Pollution by DDT and its derivatives is decreasing, but the PCBs concentrations of coastal sediments and fishes can ta be considered as high and risk to produce a long-term contamination of the lake ecosystem. Eco-toxicological problems like a diminution of reproductive potential of the chars ("Salvelinus alpinus") would be related with the presence of organochlorine residues.

We studied the bioaccumulation of lead in selected tissues of Prussian carp Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) during 12 and 24 months exposure to different doses of this metal in feed and the elimination of lead from tissues during the following 12-month depuration period. Lead concentration was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry method. The highest lead concentrations were observed at 2.0 ± 0.54 to 7.4 ± 1.1 mg kg(-1) in the kidney, 3.0 ± 0.13 to 5.2 ± 0.17 mg kg(-1) in the bone, and 4.5 (±0.4) mg kg(-1) in the hepatopancreas of fish from groups exposed to lead dietary concentration from 8 to 49 mg kg(-1) for 24 months. The rate of accumulation were generally the highest at the beginning of exposure as evidenced by the highest monthly increments of bioaccumulation observed after 3 months of contamination for muscles, hepatopancreatic gland, intestine, and gills. Also analysis of the monthly increments of lead bioaccumulation in bone tissue and the highly significant coefficients of correlation indicate that the dynamics of accumulation are clearly dependent on dose of exposure. Depuration of accumulated lead from the organs depended mainly on tissue and duration of elimination period. Very rapid depuration was observed in soft tissues such as the intestine or muscles. Very low elimination was observed for scales and bones where until the end of the experiment highly significant lead concentration differences were observed in all groups in relation to the control group. Chronic dietary exposure in the range of 8-49 mg Pb kg(-1) resulted in no significant effects on the growth and survival of Prussian carp females. | Prussian carp, dietary, lead, exposure, accumulation, depuration | 30 | 3122-3132 | 20

The aim of this research was to modify the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) method for the determination of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides in fatty animal matrices such as fish muscle tissues of carp and sturgeon collected from Carp Valley, Lesser Poland. Pesticides extraction effectiveness was evaluated at 0.030 mg kg−1 spiking level and efficiency of the dispersive-solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) clean-up step was evaluated by comparison testing two different d-SPE clean-up stages, first the addition of the d-SPE sorbent combination (PSA + SAX + NH2), and secondly the addition of C18 after extracts enrichment with the d-SPE sorbent combination (PSA + SAX + NH2), introducing a novel concept of clean-up named dual-d-SPE clean-up. Analysis of pesticide residues was performed by Gas Chromatography Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (GC/Q-MS) working in selected-ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Linear relation was observed from 0 to 200 ng mL−1 and determination coefficient R 2  > 0.997 in all instances for all target analytes. Better recoveries and cleanliness of extracts in both samples, carp and sturgeon tissues, were obtained after C18 addition during the dual-d-SPE clean-up step. Recoveries were in the range 70–120 %, with relative standard deviation lower than 10 % at 0.030 mg kg−1 spiking level for most pesticides. LODs ranged 0.001–0.003 mg kg−1, while LOQs ranged 0.004–0.009 mg kg−1. The proposed method was successfully applied analyzing pesticide residues in real carp and sturgeon muscle samples; detectable pesticide residues were observed, but in all of the cases contamination level was lower than the default maximum residue levels (MRLs) set by the European Union (EU), Regulation (EC) N 396/2005. | pesticides, GC-MS, QuEChERS, d-SPE, fish tissue, fatty animal matrix | 30 | 369-378 | 1

The purpose of the present experiment was to describe the influence of various mineral fertilizers on the development of Larix decidua Mill. seedlings subject to the influence of simulated acid rain of pH 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5. The seedlings were fertilized every month (from April up to October), in order to counteract acid rain. The composition of the fertilizers was diversified in order to select an optimum variant. Fertilizer with NK applied to the needles (Florovit) and NPK applied to the soil (Fruktus 2) as well as dolomite lime applied to the soil. One row per set was left without fertilization as a control for each pH step of acid rain treatment. The analysis of biometric characteristics showed that a two-year period of investigations was too short to estimate effects on Larix decidua Mill. seedlings. It, however, indicated important trends. High correlations were found between particular growth parameters i.e. diameter of root neck, root mass, total mass of: seedlings, needles, main shoots, lateral shoots, ligneous parts, total overground parts. No strong correlations were observed between the above mentioned parameters and the total height of the seedlings. Among the different treatments the best development was achieved at pH 4.0, whereas the weakest development was observed at pH 2.5. The analysis showed a decrease in biometrical features along with an increase in acidity of acid rain solution. The first year of the experiment had the greatest influence upon the growth of Larix decidua Mill. seedlings. Significant improvement in growth, in relation to control plots, was achieved by using NK-fertilizers onto needles — the best results, and NPK onto soil. The best increment of the height of seedling was noticed at pH 3.5. In the second year of the experiment the effects of pH of acid rain and fertilization decreased — no significant effect on biometrical features was observed. Applaying NPK fertilizer onto soil showed a positive effect in relation to dolomite treatment. The best increment was noticed at pH 4.0. | 0 | 93-107 | 1-2

Zoos are very popular facilities visited by entire families with children, who come there to watch live animals. Zoos also provide workplaces for a large number of people directly looking after the animals. For places designed to house animals, regardless of whether they are farm animals, pets, or zoo animals, a higher concentration of both dust and potentially harmful bioaerosols can be expected. Unfortunately, there are almost no studies concerning the concentration of bacterial bioaerosols and particulate matter in animal shelters that would answer the question whether the level of these pollutants is constant or variable and dependent on a particular zoo, group of animals, their number in enclosures, or season. This study aimed to assess the levels of bacterial aerosol in rooms intended for animals (giraffes, camels, elephants, kangaroos, and colobinae) in the Silesian Zoological Garden in Chorzów (Poland). The bioaerosol samples were collected using a six-stage Andersen cascade impactor to assess the concentrations and size distribution of airborne bacteria. Particulate matter (PM10) was assessed using an electronic dust meter. Measurements of microclimate parameters were carried out using the Airflow™ Instruments Velocity Meter TA440, while gas concentrations were determined applying GFG Microtector II G450. The results showed that the concentration of airborne bacteria varied significantly between facilities for the analyzed animal groups. The lowest concentration of the total bacterial aerosol was observed in enclosures for colobinae (approx. 850 CFU/m3), while the highest—in rooms for elephants (approx. 105,600 CFU/m3). The average share of respirable fraction of bacteria was quite high, with values ranging from 62.9 (colobinae) to 86.9% (elephants), indicating potential harmfulness to the health of exposed people. PM10 concentrations were relatively low (10–86 μg/m3) and did not exceed the limit values for occupational exposure. Moreover, the levels of bacterial bioaerosol in almost all cases did not exceed the limit values. As the animals constitute a significant source of bioaerosol, attention should be paid to thorough cleaning of animals and their shelters, as well as maintaining appropriate levels of microclimate parameters in the facilities. | Bioaerosol exposure, Occupational exposure, Bacterial aerosol, Health risk Particulate matter | 100 | 3318-3330

Chromate-induced physiological stress in a water-submerged macrophyte Callitriche cophocarpa Sendtn. (water starwort) was tested at the proteomic level. The oxidative stress status of the plant treated with 1 mM Cr(VI) for 3 days revealed stimulation of peroxidases whereas catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were similar to the control levels. Employing two-dimensional electrophoresis, comparative proteomics enabled to detect five differentiating proteins subjected to identification with mass spectrometry followed by an NCBI database search. Cr(VI) incubation led to induction of light harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein with a concomitant decrease of accumulation of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBisCO). The main finding was, however, the identification of an NAD(P)H-dependent dehydrogenase FQR1, detectable only in Cr(VI)-treated plants. The FQR1 flavoenzyme is known to be responsive to oxidative stress and to act as a detoxification protein by protecting the cells against oxidative damage. It exhibits the in vitro quinone reductase activity and is capable of catalyzing two-electron transfer from NAD(P)H to several substrates, presumably including Cr(VI). The enhanced accumulation of FQR1 was chromate-specific since other stressful conditions, such as salt, temperature, and oxidative stresses, all failed to induce the protein. Zymographic analysis of chromate-treated Callitriche shoots showed a novel enzymatic protein band whose activity was attributed to the newly identified enzyme. We suggest that Cr(VI) phytoremediation with C. cophocarpa can be promoted by chromate reductase activity produced by the induced quinone oxidoreductase which might take part in Cr(VI) → Cr(III) bioreduction process and thus enable the plant to cope with the chromate-generated oxidative stress. | Macrophyte, Aquatic plants, Hexavalent chromium, Biological reduction, Phytoremediation, Oxidative stress, Quinone dehydrogenase | 30 | 8928-8942 | 9