BACKGROUND AND AIM: The biosorption of Basic Violet 5BN (BV) and Basic Green (BG) by waste brewery’s yeast (WBY) from single and binary systems was investigated. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: For the single system, the adsorption of both dyes is pH-dependent and the optimum value is 5.0. At a lower initial concentration, the kinetic data agree well with both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models, while at a higher initial concentration the data fit better with the pseudo-second-order model. External diffusion is the rate-controlling step at initial fast adsorption, and then the intraparticle diffusion dominated the mass transfer process. Equilibrium data for BV and BG fit better with the Langmuir model. The maximum biosorption capacities of WBY onto BV and BG obtained at 303 K are 114.65 and 141.89 mg/g, respectively. Thermodynamic analysis reveals that the adsorption process for the two dyes is spontaneous and exothermic. CONCLUSIONS: The hydroxyl, amino, amide, carboxyl, and phosphate groups are responsible for the biosorption based on Fourier transform infrared analysis. The presence of BV significantly affects the biosorption of BG, but not vice versa. The P-factor model and Sheindrof–Rebhun–Sheintuch equation gave a good description of the equilibrium adsorption data at the multicomponent system.

PURPOSE: This paper presents a novel approach to interpret ground-level O3 with the measured atmospheric stability index (ASI). METHODS: O3 concentrations were monitored by automatic analysers at three types of stations: traffic site, residential site and regional background site in 2005, and the ASI was simultaneously measured by observing radon and its short-lived decay products. RESULTS: The observed results showed a clear annual variation of O3 concentrations with a maximum in spring, relatively high at the regional background site over 120 ppb, and lower at the residential and traffic sites at about 70 ppb. ASI gives information about the dilution properties of the lower boundary layer and allows to highlight the relevant role of the dilution factor in determining atmospheric pollution events. We demonstrated the analysis of O3 night peak episodes with vertical wind and ASI. CONCLUSIONS: With the advantage of ASI and vertical wind profiles, it was possible to isolate particular photochemical pollution phenomena of O3 peaks from the free troposphere reservoir or formed by local reactions. This shows that the index constitutes a powerful and valuable tool for describing O3 night-peak episodes at background station.

PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated the effects of maternal transfer of bisphenol A (BPA) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) during gestational and weaning periods on gonadal development of male offspring. METHODS: Pregnant CD-1 mice were administered by gavages in corn oil with 0.1, 1, or 10 mg/kg/day of BPA and DEHP from gestational days (GD1–21) to the weaning period (postnatal days (PND) 1–21). RESULTS: Our data indicated that the exposure significantly reduced the male-to-female sex ratio and the sizes of the gonads of male pups as recorded at PND15. The testes of the perinatally exposed male pups were developed less and the expression levels of testicular anti-mullerian hormone, androgen receptor, cyclin A, and StAR were significantly lesser than the control male pups. The less developed testes were accompanied with significant reductions in the expression levels of Gnrh and Fsh at the hypothalamic–pituitary levels. The negative effects were found to be persistent in the sexually mature pups at PND42. CONCLUSION: Our data reveal that the maternal transfer of BPA and DEHP may impose negative influence on the development and functions of the reproductive system of male pups.

BACKGROUND: In tropical countries, the palm tree is one of the most abundant and important trees. Date palm is a principal fruit grown in many regions of the world. It is abundant, locally available and effective material that could be used as an adsorbent for the removal of different pollutants from aqueous solution. REVIEW: This article presents a review on the role of date palm as adsorbents in the removal of unwanted materials such as acid and basic dyes, heavy metals, and phenolic compounds. Many studies on adsorption properties of various low cost adsorbent, such as agricultural waste and activated carbons based on agricultural waste have been reported in recent years. CONCLUSION: Studies have shown that date palm-based adsorbents are the most promising adsorbents for removing unwanted materials. No previous review is available where researchers can get an overview of the adsorption capacities of date palm-based adsorbent used for the adsorption of different pollutants. This review provides the recent literature demonstrating the usefulness of date palm biomass-based adsorbents in the adsorption of various pollutants.

PURPOSE: Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) belongs to a group of chemicals called perfluoroalkyl acids that have been extensively used in various applications such as stain and oil resistant treatments for fabrics, fire-fighting foams, and insecticides. These chemicals present an environmental and health risk being present in many samples both in wildlife and humans. In this study, we investigate the effect of PFOS on fatty acid β-oxidation in developing chicken embryos. METHODS: Fertilized chicken eggs were exposed in ovo to PFOS at day 4 of incubation. On day 10, the eggs were dissected and livers were incubated in vitro with 3H-palmitic acid for 2 h. The media were collected, and after clean up, the amount of tritiated water was measured with liquid scintillation counting to determine the rate of palmitic acid β-oxidation. RESULTS: PFOS was found to induce fatty acid β-oxidation at doses starting from a lowest observed effect level (LOEL) of 0.1 μg/g egg weight. Maximum induction of 77 % compared to control was seen at 0.3 μg/g. CONCLUSIONS: The administered doses in which effects are seen are around and even lower than the levels that can be found in wild populations of birds. General population human levels are a factor of two to three times lower than the LOEL value of this study. The environmental contamination of PFOS therefore presents a possibility of effects in wild populations of birds.

The aim of the present study was to show a relationship between toxicity of 100-fold concentrated water and aquatic habitat conditions. Environmental waters are 100-fold concentrated with solid-phase extraction. Medaka early fry was exposed in these waters for 48 h. The number of death and disorder was counted at 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h; toxicity was expressed using inverse median effect time and median lethal time (ET ₅₀ ⁻¹ , LT ₅₀ ⁻¹ ). Average score per taxon (ASPT) for benthic animals and Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) for fish were applied as indices of aquatic habitat conditions. The results of toxicity test were compared using ASPT and IBI. The different levels of toxicity were detected in the seawater of Japan. At the Husino River area, toxicity cannot be detected. In rivers, high toxicity appeared at urban districts without sewerage. By Spearman coefficient, the relationship between toxicity and high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) were obtained. BOD household wastewater contains hydrophobic toxic matters; otherwise, seawater in industrial area does not show clear relationship between toxicity and chemical oxygen demand. Gas chromatography to mass spectrometry simultaneous analysis database may give an answer for the source of toxicity, but further test is required. Ratio of clear stream benthic animal sharply decreased over 0.25 of LT ₅₀ ⁻¹ or 0.5 of ET ₅₀ ⁻¹ . Tolerant fish becomes dominant over 0.3 of LT ₅₀ ⁻¹ or 0.5–1.0 of ET ₅₀ ⁻¹ . By Pearson product–moment correlation coefficient, correlation coefficient between toxicity and ASPT was obtained at −0.773 (ET ₅₀ ⁻¹ ) and −0.742 (LT ₅₀ ⁻¹ ) at 1 % level of significance with a high negative correlation. Toxicity (LT ₅₀ ⁻¹ ) has strong correlation with the ratio of tolerant species. By Pearson product–moment correlation coefficient, correlation coefficient between toxicity and IBI obtained were −0.155 (ET ₅₀ ⁻¹ ) and −0.190 (LT ₅₀ ⁻¹ ) at 1 % level of significance and has a low or no correlation between toxicity and IBI. Even with low toxic environmental waters, toxicity test using 100-fold concentrated and medaka early fly could detect acute toxicity. The detected toxicity seemed to limit the inhabiting aquatic species in the water body.

The urban air quality in Barcelona in the Western Mediterranean Basin is characterized by overall high particulate matter (PM) concentrations, due to intensive local anthropogenic emissions and specific meteorological conditions. Moreover, on several days, especially in summer, natural PM sources, such as long-range transported Saharan dust from Northern Africa or wildfires on the Iberian Peninsula and around the Mediterranean Basin, may influence the levels and composition of the organic aerosol. In the second half of July 2009, daily collected PM10 filter samples in an urban background site in Barcelona were analyzed on organic tracer compounds representing several emission sources. During this period, an important PM peak event was observed. Individual organic compound concentrations increased two to five times during this event. Although highest increase was observed for the organic tracer of biomass burning, the contribution to the organic aerosol was estimated to be around 6 %. Organic tracers that could be related to Saharan dust showed no correlation with the PM and OC levels, while this was the case for those related to fossil fuel combustion from traffic emissions. Moreover, a change in the meteorological conditions gave way to an overall increase of the urban background contamination. Long-range atmospheric transport of organic compounds from primary emissions sources (i.e., wildfires and Saharan dust) has a relatively moderate impact on the organic aerosol in an urban area where the local emissions are dominating.

PURPOSE: The two artificial sweeteners cyclamate (CYC) and acesulfame (ACE) have been detected in wastewater and drinking water treatment plants. As in both facilities ozonation might be applied, it is important to find out if undesired oxidation products (OPs) are formed. METHODS: For the separation and detection of the OPs, several analytical techniques, including nuclear magnetic resonance experiments, were applied. In order to distinguish between direct ozone reaction and a radical mechanism, experiments were carried out at different pH values with and without scavenging OH radicals. Kinetic experiments were used for confirmation that the OPs are formed during short ozone contact time applied in waterworks. Samples from a waterworks using bank filtrate as raw water were analyzed in order to prove that the identified OPs are formed in real and full-scale ozone applications. RESULTS: In the case of CYC, oxidation mainly occurs at the carbon atom, where the sulfonamide moiety is bound to the cyclohexyl ring. Consequently, amidosulfonic acid and cyclohexanone are formed as main OPs of CYC. When ozone reacts at another carbon atom of the ring a keto moiety is introduced into the CYC molecule. Acetic acid and the product ACE OP170, an anionic compound with m/z=170 and an aldehyde hydrate moiety, were identified as the main OPs for ACE. The observed reaction products suggest an ozone reaction according to the Criegee mechanism due to the presence of a C=C double bond. ACE OP170 was also detected after the ozonation unit of a full-scale drinking water treatment plant which uses surface water-influenced bank filtrate as raw water. CONCLUSIONS: Acesulfame can be expected to be found in anthropogenic-influenced raw water used for drinking water production. However, when ACE OP170 is formed during ozonation, it is not expected to cause any problem for drinking water suppliers, because the primary findings suggest its removal in subsequent treatment steps, such as activated carbon filters.

BACKGROUND,: aim, and scope Fujian reservoirs in southeast China are important water resources for economic and social sustainable development, although few have been studied previously. In recent years, growing population and increasing demands for water shifted the focus of many reservoirs from flood control and irrigation water to drinking water. However, most of them showed a rapid increase in the level of eutrophication, which is one of the most serious and challenging environmental problems. In this study, we investigated the algae community characteristics, trophic state, and eutrophication control strategies for typical subtropical reservoirs in southeast Fujian. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surface water samples were collected using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic bottles from 11 Fujian reservoirs in summer 2010. Planktonic algae were investigated by optical microscopy. Water properties were determined according to the national standard methods. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Shallow reservoirs generally have higher values of trophic state index (TSI) and appear to be more susceptible to anthropogenic disturbance than deeper reservoirs. A total of 129 taxa belonging to eight phyla (i.e., Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Chrysophyta, Cryptophyta, Cyanophyta, Euglenophyta, Pyrrophyta, Xanthophyta) were observed and the most diverse groups were Chlorophyta (52 taxa), Cyanophyta (20 taxa), Euglenophyta (17 taxa), Chrysophyta (14 taxa). The dominant groups were Chlorophyta (40.58%), Cyanophyta (22.91%), Bacillariophyta (21.61%), Chrysophyta (6.91%). The species richness, abundance, diversity, and evenness of algae varied significantly between reservoirs. TSI results indicated that all 11 reservoirs were eutrophic, three of them were hypereutrophic, six were middle eutrophic, and two were light eutrophic. There was a strong positive correlation between algal diversity and TSI at P < 0.05. Our canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) results illustrated that temperature, transparency, conductivity, DO, TC, NH4-N, NO x -N, TP, and chlorophyll a were significant environmental variables affecting the distribution of algae communities. The transparency and chlorophyll a were the strongest environmental factors in explaining the community data. Furthermore, the degradation of water quality associated with excess levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in Fujian reservoirs may be impacted by interactions among agriculture and urban factors. A watershed-based management strategy, especially phosphorus control, should be developed for drinking water source protection and sustainable reservoirs in the future. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: All investigated reservoirs were eutrophicated based on the comprehensive TSI values; thus, our results provided an early warning of water degradation in Fujian reservoirs. Furthermore, the trophic state plays an important role in shaping community structure and in determining species diversity of algae. Therefore, long-term and regular monitoring of Euglenophyta, Cyanophyta, TN, TP and chlorophyll a in reservoirs is urgently needed to further understand the future trend of eutrophication and to develop a watershed-based strategy to manage the Cyanophyta bloom hazards.

PURPOSE: Dechlorination with tetravalent sulfur is widely used in wastewater treatment processes after chlorination. Dechlorination can remove certain genotoxic disinfection by-products (DBPs). However, the reactions occurring during dechlorination of chlorinated secondary effluent and their genotoxic chemicals are still very complex, and the related genotoxicity changes remain unknown. Therefore, the effects of dechlorination on genotoxicity in secondary effluent and its fractions and typical genotoxic chemical after chlorination were evaluated. METHODS: The dissolved organic matter in the secondary effluent sample was separated into four fractions with XAD-8 resin. Genotoxicity of secondary effluent and its fractions was evaluated by SOS/umu test, an ISO standard method. The concentration of typical genotoxic chemical named ofloxacin was determined by liquid chromatography with a mass spectrometer and a fluorescence detector. RESULTS: Dechlorination with the addition of Na2SO3 notably decreased the genotoxicity in the chlorinated secondary effluent, especially in the presence of high ammonia nitrogen concentration in the sample before chlorination. The Na2SO3 addition significantly decreased the genotoxicity of the secondary effluent and its genotoxic ofloxacin prior to chlorination. The genotoxicity in the fractions containing hydrophobic acids (HOA) increased after chlorination, while addition of Na2SO3 decreased the genotoxicity induced by chlorination. Tryptophan found in HOA exhibited genotoxicity after chlorination, while dechlorination decreased the genotoxicity in chlorinated tryptophan induced by DBPs. CONCLUSIONS: Dechlorination was found to decrease the genotoxicity of chlorinated secondary effluent. The decrease was associated with the reduction of genotoxicity in genotoxic chemicals in secondary effluent prior to chlorination and DBPs.