Search results for "Pollutants"

Development of a coupled diffusion denuder system combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the separation and quantification of molecul…

2009

This study concerns the development of a coupled diffusion denuder system capable of separating and quantifying gaseous molecular iodine (I(2)) and two other highly reactive iodine species, ICl and HOI, which are collectively named activated iodine compounds (AIC). Both I(2) and AIC are key species in the atmospheric chemistry of iodine. 1,3,5-Trimethoxybenzene (1,3,5-TMB)- and alpha-cyclodextrin/(129)I(-) (alpha-CD/(129)I(-))-coated denuders proved to be suitable for the collection of gaseous AIC and I(2), respectively. The experimental collection efficiencies for AIC (tested as ICl) and I(2) agreed well with the theoretical values for gas flow rates in the range between 300 and 1800 mL mi…

Extensive Evaluation of a Diffusion Denuder Technique for the Quantification of Atmospheric Stable and Radioactive Molecular Iodine

2010

In this paper we present the evaluation and optimization of a new approach for the quantification of gaseous molecular iodine (I(2)) for laboratory- and field-based studies and its novel application for the measurement of radioactive molecular iodine. alpha-Cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) in combination with (129)I(-) is shown to be an effective denuder coating for the sampling of gaseous I(2) by the formation of an inclusion complex. The entrapped (127)I(2) together with the (129)I(-) spike in the coating is then released and derivatized to 4-iodo-N,N-dimethylaniline (4-I-DMA) for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The (127)I(2) collected can be differentiated from the (129)I(-…

Larval zebrafish as an in vitro model for evaluating toxicological effects of mycotoxins.

2020

The presence of mycotoxins in food has created concern. Mycotoxin prevalence in our environment has changed in the last few years maybe due to climatic and other environmental changes. Evidence has emerged from in vitro and in vivo models: some mycotoxins have been found to be potentially carcinogenic, embryogenically harmful, teratogenic, and to generate nephrotoxicity. The risk assessment of exposures to mycotoxins at early life stages became mandatory. In this regard, the effects of toxic compounds on zebrafish have been widely studied, and more recently, mycotoxins have been tested with respect to their effects on developmental and teratogenic effects in this model system, which offers …

Rapid changes in heat-shock cognate 70 levels, heat-shock cognate phosphorylation state, heat-shock transcription factor, and metal transcription fac…

2010

The aim of the present study was to analyze and compare the effects of several metals on the embryos of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, a key species within the Mediterranean Sea ecosystem. Embryos were continuously exposed from fertilization to the following metals: 0.6 mg/l copper, 3 mg/l lead, and 6 mg/l nickel. The embryos were then monitored for metal responses at the gastrula stage, which occurred 24 h after exposure. A biochemical multi-experimental approach was taken and involved the investigation of the levels of HSC70 expression and the involvement of heat shock factor (HSF) and/or metal transcription factor (MTF) in the response. Immunoblotting assays and electrophoretic mo…

On the Ability of Perfluorohexane Sulfonate (PFHxS) Bioaccumulation by Two

2019

PFASs (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are highly fluorinated, aliphatic, synthetic compounds with high thermal and chemical stability as well as unique amphiphilic properties which make them ingredients in a range of industrial processes. PFASs have attracted consideration due to their persistence, toxicity and bioaccumulation tendency in the environment. Recently, attention has begun to be addressed to shorter-chain PFASs, such as perfluorohexane sulfonate [PFHxS], apparently less toxic to and more easily eliminated from lab animals. However, short-chain PFASs represent end-products from the transformation of fluorotelomers whose biotic breakdown reactions have not been ide…

Algae in Biotechnological Processes

2018

As photoautotrophic organisms, algae possess all of the valuable features that determine their role as the primary producers in the biosphere. A wide range of tolerance based on their extremely efficient adaptation to biochemical processes, as well as the specific cellular structure of these organisms, when correlated with the ecological plasticity of microalgae in particular, predispose these biota to growing and developing under either laboratory or industrial conditions. Hence, the natural features of algae have opened wide the door for the multidirectional biotechnological use of these organisms, with a dynamically growing number of such applications fully supporting this thesis. Among …

Effect of substituted phenols on transaminase activity in the fish,Leuciscus idus melanotus L.

1986

Atrazine uptake, elimination, and bioconcentration by periphyton communities and Daphnia magna: effects of dissolved organic carbon.

2001

The bioconcentration and toxicokinetics of atrazine in three different periphyton communities and in laboratory reared Daphnia magna were studied in natural and artificial waters with different dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and qualities. The exposure concentrations were similar to those short-lived peak concentrations found in contaminated waters. Atrazine uptake and elimination were very fast, and the bioconcentration was low both in periphyton and D. magna. The bioconcentration factors in D. magna were approx. 16% of those in periphyton. The uptake and elimination rates were also higher in periphyton than in Daphnia. The periphyton properties affected the bioconcentration…

Effects of heavy metals on earthworms along contamination gradients in organic rich soils.

2003

Earthworm communities and metal (bio)availability to earthworms along contamination gradients was studied in order to support chemical analyses in risk assessment of metal contaminated soils. Earthworms were sampled in three metal contaminated areas with different habitat and soil properties in Finland. Earthworm and soil samples were collected at three distances (1, 2, and 4 km) from the emission sources. Earthworms were identified as to species and analyzed for heavy metals. Total soil metal concentrations were analyzed using an ultrasound-assisted extraction method and bioavailable metal fraction was estimated by acetic acid extraction. In two of the three areas studied, heavy metal conc…

Trophic Transfer of Trace Elements in an Isotopically Constructed Food Chain From a Semi-enclosed Marine Coastal Area (Stagnone di Marsala, Sicily, M…

2012

Trace element accumulation is particularly important in coastal and transitional environments, which act as contaminant buffers between the continental and marine systems. We compared trace element transfer to the biota in two locations with different open-sea exposures in a semi-enclosed marine coastal area (Stagnone di Marsala, Sicily, Italy) using isotopically reconstructed food chains. Samples of sediment, macroalgae, seagrasses, invertebrates, fish, and bird feathers were sampled in July 2006 and analysed for stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes (δ(13)C, δ(15)N) and trace elements (arsenic [As], cadmium [Cd], total mercury [THg], and lead [Pb]). Trophic magnification factors were calcul…