Introduction Chlorimuron-ethyl has been widely used for the soybean production of China, but less information is available on the possible risk of long-term application of this herbicide. Materials and methods In this paper, soil samples were collected from the plots having been received 30 g active component of chlorimuron-ethyl/ha per year for 5 and 10 years in a continuously cropped soybean field of Northeast China, with their microbial community analyzed by plate counting, PCR-DGGE, and cloning library. Chlorimuron-ethyl had a higher accumulation in test soils, and the accumulation decreased the CFU of soil bacteria and increased the CFU of soil fungi significantly. The CFU of soil actinomycetes only had a significant decrease in the plot having been received chlorimuron-ethyl for 10 years. Results and discussion Under the long-term stress of chlorimuron-ethyl, the diversity and evenness of soil microbial community decreased, and more importantly, some bacterial and fungal species that possibly benefited soybean's growth, e.g., Acidobacteria, γ-proteobacteria, Cortinarius violaceu, Acarospora smaragdula, and Xerocomus chrysenteron decreased or demised, while some species that could induce the obstacle of soybean's continuous cropping, e.g., Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, and Phytophthora sojae, increased or appeared. Some actinomycetes were inhibited having negative effects on the antagonism between soil microbes. It is considered that due to the longer half-life of chlorimuron-ethyl in soil and the resistance and resilience of soil microbes to short-term environmental stress, long-term in situ investigation rather than laboratory microcosm test or short-term field experiment would be more appropriate to the accurate assessment of the ecological risk of long-term chlorimuron-ethyl application. Further studies should be made on the application mode and duration of chlorimuron-ethyl to reduce the possible ecological risk of applying this herbicide on continuously cropped soybean field.

BACKGROUND, AIM, AND SCOPE: Fishery wastewater treatment can be compromised due to seasonal production. The use of sequencing batch reactors is not completely successful, despite flexibility being one of the principal advantages. Most research on activated sludge is performed using synthetic wastewater to ensure a stable and constant feed. The current work compared biomass morphology and settling ability using image analysis of synthetic and real fishery wastewaters, with and without NaCl addition. RESULTS: The final effluent presented higher turbidity for both wastewaters after NaCl addition, and lower SVI values. For synthetic wastewater, NaCl addition led to the total aggregates' area (TA) increase from 1.46 to 2.09 mm2/μL, alongside the growth of intermediate aggregates into larger aggregates. The addition of NaCl to the fishery wastewater led to a decrease of the TA from 4.43 to 1.72 mm2/μL. The biomass composition decreased in larger and intermediate structures, opposite to the smaller aggregates' area percentage increase. DISCUSSION: NaCl addition to synthetic wastewater incited flocculation increasing sludge settling ability. A slight aggregate disruption was responsible for a turbidity increase. A strong deflocculation was identified in fishery wastewater with NaCl from the decrease of intermediate and large aggregates. This contrasted with pinpoint flocs release, which increased the turbidity levels. CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND PERSPECTIVES: It could be established that synthetic wastewater biomass flocculation and fishery wastewater biomass deflocculation, observed during 0.5% NaCl experiments, were related to sludge settling and effluent turbidity changes. Furthermore, the biomass changes obtained with synthetic wastewater cannot be extrapolated to fishery wastewater.

INTRODUCTION: A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine if Cucurbita pepo ssp. pepo (pumpkin) root exudates could increase the uptake of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into plants. Contaminated soil was pre-treated with pumpkin root exudates by first growing pumpkins in the soil. Plants (pumpkins and weeds) were grown in the pre-treated (root exudate group) and non-treated (control group) contaminated soils. Seeds from five weed species collected from two contaminated sites were germinated in sufficient quantities (n ≥ 6) for three seedlings to be planted in two groups. DISCUSSION: Plants from both the control group and the root exudate group extracted a combined total of ∼1.2% PCBs from soil. Differences in root concentrations between groups were observed for Bidens cernua (beggar’s tick) and in total PCBs extracted into the roots for pumpkins. This is the first report of significant changes in the PCB phytoextraction ability of multiple plant species due to the presence of root exudates. In addition, slight differences were also observed for root and shoot concentrations and extractions by several other species, though these were not statistically different at α = 0.05. While the mechanism of phytoextraction is still unknown, this study indicates that the root exudates of C. pepo ssp. pepo can affect the uptake and transport of contaminants within specific plant species.

Background, aim and scope This paper presents a preliminary study of the water profile with reference to microbiological parameters, required by Directive 2006/07/EC (European Community 2006) concerning the management of bathing water quality, in the coastal belt of the Province of Venice (Italy, Northern Adriatic Sea). A historical database has been implemented with monitoring data for the period 2000-2006 (data on rivers, bathing and marine coastal waters and on the characterization of Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) discharges) from the institutional activity of Veneto Regional Environmental Prevention and Protection Agency (ARPAV). An integrated areal analysis for the microbiological investigation of homogeneous stretches along the coast of the Province of Venice was performed for a preliminary characterization of the bathing water profile considering water quality status and existing pressure sources. Materials and methods ARPAV is the institutional body responsible for environmental monitoring and control activities. Data were produced from monitoring and controls made available by the Regional Environmental Informative System and extracted and elaborated for the period of interest (2000−2006). Sampling and analysis of microbiological parameters were executed following the official Italian methods in accordance with international procedures (APHA et al. 1998). For the purpose of this study, the coast was divided into eight stretches, which were considered to be homogeneous according to their physical and geographical characteristics. An ANOVA statistical assessment has been performed on stretches I, V and VIII. Results and discussion From the integrated areal analysis of microbiological parameters in the homogeneous stretches along the coast of all the investigated matrices, high mean levels of faecal contamination were found in some cases. The most critical situation amongst the stretches evaluated is to be found in stretch VIII--Ca' Roman, Sottomarina and Isola Verde shores (Southern part of the Province). These results can be widely attributed to pressure sources from the Brenta and Adige rivers, rather than to local contributions. Stretches VI and VII, which correspond to the area from Punta Sabbioni (Cavallino shore N-E) to the Pellestrina shore (S-W), present the best conditions for faecal contamination parameters (low pollution levels). These situations can probably be explained given that WWTPs 7 and 8 have two submarine outfalls at a distance of about 4 km from the coastline and therefore a discharge point which is distant from the bathing and marine coastal monitoring stations; there are also no river mouths in these two stretches. Due to lack of data, it was not possible to implement seasonal assessments. Conclusions This study aimed to develop an integrated areal analysis for biological parameters along the coast over the period 2000-2006 for the identified homogeneous stretches in order to develop a preliminary approach for the characterization of the water profile, as requested by directive 2006/7/EC. From the integrated analysis of the stretches, it is evident that in some cases there are high levels of faecal contamination along the coast which can be caused by river flows which heavily condition the quality of coastal waters as verified with the statistical assessment. Recommendations and perspectives From the preliminary analysis, the submarine outfalls seem to be the best solution to guarantee good bathing water quality on the coast. Nevertheless, it must be observed that this solution cannot overlook the possible impact of the discharges on seawaters intended for a specific use, such as mussel farms with reference to coastal hydrodynamics. Therefore, a sound wastewater dispersion analysis on the discharges of the WWTPs for the identification of the interested area and the level of contamination must be performed; a modelling study on pollution dispersion is complementary to this study (Scroccaro et al. 2009). This analysis highlights the critical stretches as being numbers II and, above all, VIII with particular correlation with the main river mouths. Thus, it is evident that the issue of microbiological impact must be studied following a river basin approach according to the influence of river loads on coastal areas.

BACKGROUND, AIM, AND SCOPE: Topographical and meteorological factors, such as monsoons, can drastically affect ambient dioxin levels. In order to better understand these phenomena, four sampling lines (comprising 16 sampling sites) were selected in accordance with the topographical characteristics and the transport paths of the Taichung Basin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ambient air samples were simultaneously collected according to US EPA TO-9A. Seventeen polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) were analyzed by a high-resolution gas chromatograph/high-resolution mass spectrometer. RESULTS: Field measurements indicated that, during monsoons, PCDD/Fs concentrations varied from 128 to 4,230 fg m−3. Two locations, the pass between two tablelands and the valley in front of a mountain, had the highest PCDD/Fs concentrations; those concentrations were about two to five times greater than the average concentration. There were 189 analyses of 11 kinds of PCDD/Fs emission sources used to develop emission fingerprints for a CMB8.2 simulation. Chemical mass balance (CMB8.2) model simulation with PCDD/Fs and surface wind field measurements were performed. Results of CMB8.2 modeling indicated that the major source of most sites was secondary copper smelting. CONCLUSIONS: The CMB8.2 model indicated the effects of hills and river valleys on pollutant transport. Results indicated that secondary copper smelting must be controlled to reduce the ambient concentrations of PCDD/Fs in the Taichung Basin.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we provide strategies for detecting and quantifying the structural isomers of polyfluorinated di- and tri-alkyl surfactants (PFAS) by mass spectrometry (MS). We specifically investigate polyfluorinated dialkylated phosphate ester surfactants (x:2/y:2 diPAPS, (F(CF2) x CH2CH2O-P(O)(O)−-OCH2CH2(CF2) y F)) and their thioether analogues (x:2/y:2 S-diPAPS, F(CF2) x CH2CH2SCH2-C[CH2O)2P(O)(O)−]-CH2SCH2CH2(CF2) y F), which are used for industrial applications, such as oil- and water-repellent coatings on paper and board. DiPAPS have been found in human blood and are metabolised to the persistent perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA) in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A microwave popcorn bag extract was analysed by ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to a negative electrospray ionisation-quadrupole time-of-flight MS. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The extract contained S-diPAPS, diPAPS and trialkylated (triPAPS) impurities. TriPAPS were also present in industrial and synthetic diPAPS standards, and were verified with an 8:2/8:2/8:2 triPAPS standard. The eight elemental compositions (m/z’s) of diPAPS in the extract represent 19 precursor ion structures, and the six S-diPAPS m/z’s represent at least 13 structures. The diPAPS had [M-H]− precursor ions of m/z 789, 889,…1,489 and the S-diPAPS of m/z 921, 1,021,…1,421, corresponding to fluorinated chains from C6–18. Each m/z appeared as one to three chromatographic peaks of structural isomers, where, e.g. m/z 1,189 was present as 10:2/10:2, 8:2/12:2 and 6:2/14:2 diPAPS. The isomers formed different products ions, thus only half of the m/z 1,189 diPAPS concentration was measured with one precursor ion > product ion transition. CONCLUSION: In general, knowledge about structural isomers of poly-alkylated PFAS is needed for the estimation of types and amounts of perfluorinated degradation products, such as PFCA from diPAPS.

Purpose This paper analyses the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in escaped: farmed and wild salmons in southern Chile, analysing their concentrations and congener profiles in two species (Oncorhynchus kisutch and Oncorhynchus mykiss). Methods Muscle samples from both farmed and escaped fish of two species, O. mykiss (rainbow trout) and O. kisutch (coho salmon), were analysed for PCBs (42 congeners). To differentiate between the wild salmon and the salmon that have escaped from fish farms, the astaxanthin content in the muscular tissue was analysed with a high-performance liquid chromatography -diode array detector method. PCBs were measured by gas chromatography with an electron capture detector. Results The levels of astaxanthin can be used to differentiate between farmed, escaped and wild-borne salmons with statistically different concentrations. When comparing the total PCB concentrations for both trout and salmon samples, it can be determined that a separate analysis for farmed, escaped and wild-borne fish more accurately describes the real differences in the concentrations; these differences are hidden when separate analyses are not performed. The congener profiles are similar in both trout and coho salmon, where the tri-, tetra- and penta-CB congeners are the most abundant. Conclusion This study is the first report of PCBs in wild-borne, farmed and escaped salmons for the Southern Hemisphere, considering that Chile is actually one of the principal world producers of salmon.

Introduction The concentration of a pharmaceutical found in the environment is determined by the amount used by the patient, the excretion and metabolism pattern, and eventually by its persistence. Biological degradation or persistence of a pharmaceutical is experimentally tested rather late in the development of a pharmaceutical, often shortly before submission of the dossier to regulatory authorities. Materials and methods To investigate whether the aspect of persistence of a compound could be assessed early during drug development, we investigated whether biodegradation of pharmaceuticals could be predicted with the help of in silico tools. To assess the value of in silico prediction, we collected results for the OECD 301 degradation test (“ready biodegradability”) of 42 drugs or drug synthesis intermediates and compared them to the prediction of the in silico tool BIOWIN. Results and discussion Of these compounds, 38 were predictable with BIOWIN, which is a module of the Estimation Programs Interface (EPI) Suite™ provided by the US EPA. The program failed to predict the two drugs which proved to be readily biodegradable in the degradation tests. On the other hand, BIOWIN predicted two compounds to be readily biodegradable which, however, proved to be persistent in the test setting. Conclusion The comparison of experimental data with the predicted one resulted in a specificity of 94% and a sensitivity of 0%. The results of this study do not indicate that application of the biodegradation prediction tool BIOWIN is a feasible approach to assess the ready biodegradability during early drug development.

Background, aim and scope A new approach towards monuments, considering them as a passive sampler of pollution, is presented. Cultural Heritage objects suffer daily the damages of environmental pollution, especially in those areas interested by heavy traffic. Since monuments undergo only periodic conservation or maintenance works, surfaces are able to accumulate atmospheric deposit and to record changes in its composition. An optimised analytical protocol was developed in order to quantify platinum and rhodium at trace level on surfaces. The two elements have become tracers of automobile emissions in recent years, since the introduction of catalytic converters, and could have catalytic effects on the decay reactions of natural and artificial stone materials. As a first case study, the cement mortar surfaces of a twentieth century monument, the Camerlata Fountain, in Como (Italy) were investigated. Materials and methods The surfaces of the monument were scraped in areas both exposed to atmosphere and sheltered by the architectural elements of the building. The powders were dissolved by microwave-assisted mineralisation with a solution of HCl and HNO₃. The solution was filtered, irradiated and analysed by adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry. The powders were also analysed by infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction in order to determine the chemical and mineralogical composition. Results and discussion An analysis protocol was set up considering the matrix effect and the expected low concentrations of the two metals. The results enlightened variable concentration values and distribution areas of platinum (0.013-45 μg/kg) and rhodium (0.55-274.4 μg/kg), suggesting the ability of artificial stone surfaces to accumulate the two elements. The sample chemical and mineralogical composition was consistent with a typical cement plaster interested by decay phenomena. Conclusions This work investigated the relation between Cultural Heritage and pollution by another point of view. The analytical protocol presented in this paper was effective in determining platinum and rhodium in traces on the investigated stone surfaces with negligible matrix effects. Recommendation and perspectives The presence of platinum and rhodium on monument surfaces should be of significant interest when planning Cultural Heritage conservation. A better knowledge of the role of the two metals in decay phenomena could impact in a positive way artwork conservation.

Purpose Spillage of petroleum hydrocarbons causes significant environmental pollution. Bioremediation is an effective process to remediate petroleum oil contaminant from the ecosystem. The aim of the present study was to reclaim a petroleum oil-contaminated soil which was unsuitable for the cultivation of crop plants by using petroleum oil hydrocarbon-degrading microbial consortium. Materials and methods Bacterial consortium consisting of Bacillus subtilis DM-04 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa M and NM strains were seeded to 20% (v/w) petroleum oil-contaminated soil, and bioremediation experiment was carried out for 180 days under laboratory condition. The kinetics of hydrocarbon degradation was analyzed using biochemical and gas chromatographic (GC) techniques. The ecotoxicity of the elutriates obtained from petroleum oil-contaminated soil before and post-treatment with microbial consortium was tested on germination and growth of Bengal gram (Cicer aretinum) and green gram (Phaseolus mungo) seeds. Results Bacterial consortium showed a significant reduction in total petroleum hydrocarbon level in contaminated soil (76% degradation) as compared to the control soil (3.6% degradation) 180 days post-inoculation. The GC analysis confirmed that bacterial consortium was more effective in degrading the alkane fraction compared to aromatic fraction of crude petroleum oil hydrocarbons in soil. The nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen compounds fraction was least degraded. The reclaimed soil supported the germination and growth of crop plants (C. aretinum and P. mungo). In contrast, seeds could not be germinated in petroleum oil-contaminated soil. Conclusions The present study reinforces the application of bacterial consortium rather than individual bacterium for the effective bioremediation and reclamation of soil contaminated with petroleum oil.