Biofouling confounds the uptake of trace organic contaminants by semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs)

The outer layers of layflat, low density polyethylene plastic tubing (the principal component of semi-permeable membrane devices, SPMDs) were biofouled at a clean site in Hong Kong coastal waters for periods of 1–4 weeks. Following pre-fouling, triolein was added to the SPMDs and, along with control (unfouled) devices, they were exposed to a range of organochlorine pesticides (-HCH, aldrin, p,p^′-DDT) and PAHs (anthracene, fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene) under laboratory conditions. Results showed that the uptake of contaminants by SPMDs was severely reduced by as much as 50% under fouling conditions in comparison to unfouled controls. The ultimate utility of SPMDs as passive monitors is thus reduced, although alternative measures, such as the use of permeability reference compounds may compensate, and allow for realistic evaluations of dissolved environmental concentrations in aquatic environments. However, due to the complexities involved in such procedures––especially as they need to be conducted on a case-by-case basis––the utility of SPMDs appears to be limited for estimates of bioavailability unless necessary calibrations are undertaken within each environment that the sampler is used.     

Chlorinated hydrocarbons in the seawater and surface sediments of Blanca Bay,Argentina

In order to characterize our study area and to provide reference values to be used in the future to measure the changes produced by an increase in contamination, the concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbons have been investigated in fifty-one samples of seawater, taken at four different depths: air-sea interface, surface, one metre and bottom waters, and in twenty-three samples of surface sediments from Blanca Bay, Argentina. Of eleven organochlorine compounds we were looking for (α BHC, lindane, heptachlor, δ BHC. aldrin, heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin, o-p′DDD, p-p′DDD, o-p′DDT and p-p′DDT), seven could be detected in seawater and three in surface sediments with the following mean concentrations: α-BHC=48·2 ng l^?1; lindane=54·2 ng l^?1; heptachlor=45·0 ng l^?1; δ BHC=12·5 ng l^?1; aldrin=61·8 ng l^?1 and ΣDDT=67·0 ng l^?1; and δ BHC=3·2 ng g^?1; lindane=4·2 ng g^?1 and heptachlor=1·0 ng g^?1 for seawater, regarding the surface waters, and sediment samples, respectively.Concentration factors among the different water layers were also studied to see if there was any correlation between chlorinated hydrocarbon contents and the water depths from which the samples were taken. As a mean value, the air-sea interface water contains 18 times more of these compounds than that of the water near the bottom. A comparison of the values corresponding to seawater and surface sediments from our study area with those levels measured in samples from other geographic locations is also presented.With the purpose to detect a relationship between chlorinated hydrocarbon concentrations and the contents of particulate matter (PM) on the one hand, and particulate organic material (POM) on the other hand, four groups of samples containing different amounts of PM and POM, respectively were formed. From a comparison of the results obtained, lindane, heptachlor and δ BHC showed a tendency to lower concentrations in those samples containing little PM whereas α BHC and aldrin remained without important changes. No significant correlation was found between organochlorine levels and contents of POM.     

Water Quality in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area: Past Perspectives, Current Issues and New Research Directions

Elevated sediment and nutrient concentrations have long been regarded as the pre-eminent water quality threats to the Great Barrier Reef, with the potential risk posed by other pollutants such as heavy metals, persistent chlorohydrocarbons, PCBs and petroleum related compounds considered to be of lesser consequence. However, the management focus on these latter types of pollutants has recently shifted to acknowledge the potential impact posed by diuron, dioxins, dieldrin, and mercury and cadmium concentrations detected in sediments and biota along the Great Barrier Reef and southern Queensland coastline. In general, these threats originate from areas dominated by intensive cropping agriculture and are exacerbated by high rainfall and erosion rates in the wet tropics region of the Queensland coast. Maintenance of long-term monitoring programmes, which utilize innovative data acquisition techniques will enable assessment of change in environmentally relevant pollutant concentrations over time. However, improved land management practices, which include an immediate minimization of vegetation clearance and responsible use of pesticides and fertilizers in Queensland are essential if water quality in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area is to be maintained and protected.     

气相色谱法测定地下水中有机氯农药和多氯联苯

建立了地下水中常见有机氯农药和多氯联苯的气相色谱分析方法。有机氯农药检出限均小于2.21ng/L,多氯联苯中PCB1检出限为5.20ng/L,其他目标组分检出限在1.30ng/L以下。两大类待测组分回收率均可以达到63.5%～110.2%,各组分精密度(RSD,n=5)在2.2%～17.3%。除异狄氏剂外,有机氯农药基体加标回收率为87.34%～133.76%。方法稳定性和重现性较好,样品前处理操作简便,适用于实验室分析或进一步改进。     

广州地区蔬菜生产基地有机污染物含量状况及分布

为了解广州地区蔬菜基地有机污染物的分布情况,选取了6个代表性基地进行调查采样,测试分析了表层土壤、蔬菜及灌溉水中15种邻苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)化合物、16种多环芳烃(PAHs)化合物和19种有机氯农药(OCPs)化合物的质量分数及质量浓度.结果表明:在15种PAEs化合物的总质量分数(w(ΣPAEs))中,土壤样品为158.0~4 321.0 ng/g,蔬菜样品为1 134.0~48 576.0 ng/g;水样中15种PAEs化合物的总质量浓度(ρ(ΣPAEs))为632.0~14 271.0 ng/L;就单个化合物而言,以DiBP、DBP、DEHP三种污染物为主,其三项之和占所有PAEs质量分数的97.5%~99.1%;在16种PAHs化合物的总质量分数(w(ΣPAHs))中,土壤样品为28.48~1 121.96 ng/g,蔬菜样品为238.09~1 000.61 ng/g;水样中16种PAHs化合物的总质量浓度(ρ(ΣPAHs))为338.21~1 239.78 ng/L;在19种OCPs化合物的总质量分数(w(ΣOCPs))中,土壤为0.04~71.28 ng/g,蔬菜为1.08~9.18 ng/g.总体上看,各基地土壤中DBP质量分数均超标,多环芳烃类在灵山、花东、黄埔菜地土壤中存在轻微污染,有机氯农药均未出现污染.     

Relationships between tissue concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbons (polychlorinated biphenyls and chlorinated pesticides) and antioxidative responses of marine mussels, Perna viridis

Marine mussels, Perna viridis, were transplanted from a reference site to various polluted sites around Hong Kong. After 30 d of exposure, antioxidative responses in the gills and hepatopancreas and tissue concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbons [polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and chlorinated pesticides (CPs)] were determined for individual mussels. Glutathione S transferase (GST) and glutathione (GSH) were positively correlated with tissue PCB concentrations. Only one of the enzymatic antioxidants, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), showed significant response to tissue PCB. No significant correlation was found between tissue concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbons and other enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and NADPH DT-diaphorase (DT-d). Oxidative stress, measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, was correlated with chlorinated pesticide concentrations in tissues. This study demonstrated a correlation between GST/GSH and chlorinated hydrocarbons. The apparent lack of correlation between trace organic pollutants and some of the enzymatic antioxidants may be due to the inhibitory effects caused by these chemicals. The above results suggest that more investigations are needed before these enzymes can be used as biomarkers.