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.

Purpose α-Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), β-HCH, and lindane (γ-HCH) were listed as persistent organic pollutants by the Stockholm Convention in 2009 and hence must be phased out and their wastes/stockpiles eliminated. At the last operating lindane manufacturing unit, we conducted a preliminary evaluation of HCH contamination levels in soil and water samples collected around the production area and the vicinity of a major dumpsite to inform the design of processes for an appropriate implementation of the Convention. Methods Soil and water samples on and around the production site and a major waste dumpsite were measured for HCH levels. Results All soil samples taken at the lindane production facility and dumpsite and in their vicinity were contaminated with an isomer pattern characteristic of HCH production waste. At the dumpsite surface samples contained up to 450 g kg⁻¹ Σ HCH suggesting that the waste HCH isomers were simply dumped at this location. Ground water in the vicinity and river water was found to be contaminated with 0.2 to 0.4 mg l⁻¹ of HCH waste isomers. The total quantity of deposited HCH wastes from the lindane production unit was estimated at between 36,000 and 54,000 t. Conclusions The contamination levels in ground and river water suggest significant run-off from the dumped HCH wastes and contamination of drinking water resources. The extent of dumping urgently needs to be assessed regarding the risks to human and ecosystem health. A plan for securing the waste isomers needs to be developed and implemented together with a plan for their final elimination. As part of the assessment, any polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDF) generated during HCH recycling operations need to be monitored.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the activity concentrations of radionuclide ¹³⁷Cs in soil samples on the territory of Belgrade and the province of Vojvodina. Also, the lifetime cancer mortality risk from external exposure during 1 year is assessed, and the effective dose is estimated. Methods Eighty eight soil samples were collected from 30 uncultivated locations in Belgrade, and 30 soil samples were collected from 10 locations in the province of Vojvodina. Activity concentrations were measured using an HPGe detector. Using dose conversion factors taken from “EPA Federal Guidance Report 12,” annual effective doses from external sources were estimated. The lifetime cancer mortality risk was assessed using cancer risk coefficients taken from “EPA Federal Guidance Report 13.” Results Activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs for the territory of Belgrade are in the range of 2.07-89.1 Bq/kg with a mean value of 23.77 Bq/kg; the estimated annual effective doses are in the range of 0.41-17.5 nSv with a mean value of 4.67 nSv, and assessed lifetime cancer mortality risks, normalized on 100,000 inhabitants, are in the range 0.2-9.5 × 10⁻⁵ with a mean value 2.5 × 10⁻⁵. Activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs for the province of Vojvodina are in the range of 2.73-18.9 Bq/kg with a mean value of 8.57 Bq/kg; estimated annual effective doses are in the range of 0.54-3.71 nSv with a mean value of 1.68 nSv, and assessed lifetime cancer mortality risks, normalized on 100,000 inhabitants, are in the range of 0.3-2.0 × 10⁻⁵ with a mean value 0.9 × 10⁻⁵. Conclusion Receiving doses are low from ¹³⁷Cs radionuclides occurring in soil, according to the linear no-threshold approach; the risk for cancer development exists but is very small.

INTRODUCTION: The concentrations of trace metals, ionic species, and carbonaceous components in PM₁₀ (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters smaller than 10 µm) were measured from samples collected near an industrial complex, primarily composed of cement plants, in southeastern Spain, from September 2005 to August 2006. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Positive matrix factorization and conditional probability function were applied to this data set to identify different types of sources. RESULTS: Six significant sources were identified: crustal matter, traffic, aged sea salt, industrial emissions, secondary aerosol, and sea salt. The difficulty of separating anthropogenic sources from those of natural origin is highlighted in this study; in particular, the crustal source can be connected with both natural (African outbreaks, wind resuspension) and man-made emissions, like fugitive emissions in an industrial environment.

PURPOSE: We tested the genetic diversity in wild mice (Mus musculus domesticus) inhabiting the asbestos-polluted area as a model for the long-term mutagenic effect of asbestos. Hazardous effects of deposited asbestos persist in the environment because of low rate of fiber disintegration. The upper layers of the soil in the vicinity of a former asbestos factory are nearly “saturated” with asbestos fibers and dust. Natural populations of mice dwell in this area and are constantly exposed to asbestos fibers. METHODS: We measured the microsatellites genetic diversity of wild mice (Mus musculus domesticus) inhabiting the asbestos-polluted area as a model for the long-term mutagenic effect of this environmental toxin. RESULTS: The six tested microsatellites were highly polymorphic, revealing 111 different alleles for the two sampled populations. Effective number of alleles was slightly higher in the polluted population relative to the control population, while observed heterozygosity was lower. The chromatographic profile of the polluted population exhibited a significantly higher number of bands, probably resulting from somatic mutations, in addition to the ordinary microsatellite band profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term exposure to asbestos fibers significantly elevates the level of somatic mutations. It also leads to a relatively high level of observed homozygosity, a phenomenon that may be associated with loss of heterozygosity. Based on the mice population, our data suggest elevated health risks for humans living in an asbestos-polluted area.

Purpose Adsorption of metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn) to TiO₂ nanoparticles and bulk particles was examined for use as a contaminant removal substrate as a function of particle size, sorbent concentration, and exhaustion. Methods Adsorption experiments were conducted with 0.01, 0.1, and 0.5 g/L nanoparticles in a pH 8 solution and in spiked San Antonio tap water. Results When results were normalized by mass, nanoparticles adsorbed more than the bulk particles but when results were surface-area normalized, the opposite was observed. The adsorption data shows the ability of the TiO₂ nanoparticles to remove Pb, Cd, and Ni from solution with similar adsorption at 0.1 and 0.5 g/L. Adsorption kinetics for all metals tested was described by a modified first order rate equation with the nanoparticles having a faster rate of adsorption than the bulk particles. The nanoparticles were able to simultaneously removal multiple metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu) from both pH 8 solution and spiked San Antonio tap water. Exhaustion experiments showed that both the nanoparticles and bulk particles were exhausted at pH 6 but at pH 8, exhaustion did not occur for the nanoparticles. Conclusion Comparison of K d, distribution coefficient, with other literature showed that the nanoparticles were better sorbents than other metal oxide nanoparticles and a commercial activated carbon.

Vertical profiles of carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone retrieved from Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer have been analyzed during two super cyclone systems Mala and Sidr. Super cyclones Mala and Sidr traversed the Bay of Bengal (BOB) region on April 24-29, 2006 and November 12-16, 2007 respectively. The CO and ozone plume is observed as a strong enhancement of these pollutants in the upper troposphere over the BOB, indicating deep convective transport. Longitude-height cross-section of these pollutants shows vertical transport to the upper troposphere. CO mixing ratio ~90 ppb is observed near the 146-mb level during the cyclone Mala and near 316 mb during the cyclone Sidr. Ozone mixing ratio ~60-100 ppb is observed near the 316-mb level during both the cyclones. Analysis of National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis vertical winds (omega) confirms vertical transport in the BOB.

Aim of the study Helophytes like rush and reed are increasingly used for phytoremediation of contaminated water. This study characterises the response of rush and reed plants to chemical stressors such as chlorobenzene, benzene and methyl-tert-butyl ether. The extractable wax layer of the cuticle was chosen for detailed investigations due to its multiple, particularly, protective functions for plants and its easy availability for analysis. Methods The chemical composition of the cuticle wax layer of reed and rush was studied in dependence on chemical stress caused by contaminated water under wetland cultivation conditions. The lipid layer of leaves was extracted, derivatised and investigated by GC-MS using retention time locking and a plant-specific data base. Results In case of rush, a remarkable increase of the total lipid layer and a prolongation of the mean chain length resulted as response on a chlorobenzene exposure. The significant difference in the substance profiles of exposed plants and controls could be confirmed by multivariate data analysis. The lipid layer of reed was not changed significantly when the plants were exposed to water polluted with benzene and methyl-tert-butyl ether. However, scanning electron microscopic images of the exposed reed leaves indicated alterations in the crystal structure of their wax surface. Conclusion The composition and morphology of cuticular waxes indicated the plants' response to chemical stress very sensitively thus, changes in the wax layer could be used as an indication for growing in a contaminated area.

Purpose The anti-inflammatory drug naproxen (NPX) has been found as a micropollutant in river water downstream the discharge points of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). In this study, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was exposed to NXP and the uptake and metabolism of the drug was studied. Methods Following exposure through intraperitoneal injection (i.p., 0.5 mg NPX/100 g fish biomass) and through water (1.6 μg L⁻¹), the bile was collected and analyzed with various LC-MS/MS methods. The identification of the formed metabolites in i.p. injected fish was based on the exact mass determinations by a time-of-flight mass analyzer (Q-TOF-MS) and on the studies of fragments and fragmentation patterns of precursor ions by an ion trap mass analyzer (IT-MS). Results No matter the exposure route, the main metabolites were found to be acyl glucuronides of NPX and of 6-O-desmethylnaproxen. Also, unmetabolized NPX was detected in the bile. The total bioconcentration factors (BCFtotal₋bile) of NPX and the metabolites in the bile of fish exposed through water ranged from 500 to 2,300. Conclusion The findings suggest that fish living downstream WWTPs may take up NPX and metabolize the compound. Consequently, NPX and its metabolites in bile can be used to monitor the exposure of fish to NPX.

Background, aim, and scope Climate changes are nowadays an important issue of concern, and it is expected that in the near future it will be intensified, leading to extreme environmental conditions. These changes are expected to originate additional sources of stress; therefore, the exposure of organisms to natural stressors is receiving an increased importance in risk assessment. Organisms tend to avoid extremely environmental conditions looking for optimum conditions. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of natural stressors on the energetic reserves of Daphnia magna using the quantification of lipids, proteins, and sugars. Materials and methods Daphnids were exposed to different temperature regimes (16, 18, 22, 24, and 26°C), food levels (2, 1.5, 1, 0.5, and 0 and 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, and 6 × 10⁵ cells/ml Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata) and oxygen depletion (2 to 6 mg DO/L) and their energy reserves quantified. Protein, lipid, and sugar contents where compared between daphnids exposed to control conditions and ones exposed to considered stress situations. Results and discussion Significant changes in energy reserves content after a 96-h exposure were observed in temperatures 16, 22, 24, and 26°C. In the exposure to different food levels, daphnids showed significant differences on their energetic reserves when exposed to higher or lower levels of algae when compared with the control. Oxygen depletion did not affect significantly their energy budget. Conclusions The results from this work demonstrate that the environmental alterations related mainly to temperatures variations and food availability produced changes in D. magna energetic reserves. These changes can be transposed to the population levels as they are a result of changes in the metabolic rate and physiological processes that are related to growth and maturation.