scholarly journals Trace Metals do not Accumulate over Time in The Edible Mediterranean Jellyfish Rhizostoma pulmo (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa) from Urban Coastal Waters

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1410
Author(s):  
Lorena Basso ◽  
Paride Papadia ◽  
Lucia Rizzo ◽  
Danilo Migoni ◽  
Francesco P. Fanizzi ◽  
...  

Jellyfish as food represent a millennial tradition in Asia. Recently, jellyfish have also been proposed as a valuable source of protein in Western countries. To identify health risks associated with the potential human consumption of jellyfish as food, trace element accumulation was assessed in the gonads and umbrella tissues of the Mediterranean Rhizostoma pulmo (Macri, 1778), sampled over a period of 16 months along the shallow coastal waters a short distance from the city of Taranto, an area affected by metallurgic and oil refinery sources of pollution. Higher tissue concentrations of trace elements were usually detected in gonads than in umbrella tissue. In particular, significant differences in the toxic metalloid As, and in the metals Mn, Mo, and Zn, were observed among different tissues. The concentrations of vanadium were slightly higher in umbrella tissues than in gonads. No positive correlation was observed between element concentration and jellyfish size, suggesting the lack of bioaccumulation processes. Moreover, toxic element concentrations in R. pulmo were found below the threshold levels for human consumption allowed by Australian, USA, and EU Food Regulations. These results corroborate the hypothesis that R. pulmo is a safe, potentially novel food source, even when jellyfish are harvested from coastal areas affected by anthropogenic impacts.

MASKANA ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-79
Author(s):  
Guillermina Pauta-Calle ◽  
María Velasco ◽  
Gabriela Vázquez ◽  
Andrea Abril ◽  
Santiago Torres

Arsenic (As) is a toxic element present in the environment posing a threat to consumers health. To identify the arsenic content in rivers, páramos, and wells in the city of Cuenca, and in rivers in the city of Azogues, two monitoring campaigns in the period August-November 2017 were conducted, respectively during a low and high flow hydrological period. The measurements encompassed physicochemical quality indicators such as pH, color, turbidity, and conductivity. Results show that the páramos and wells are free of As, while this toxic substance is present in surface water with higher levels in periods of high flow. A significant association between the concentration of As and the pH of river water was found. The risk of chronic toxicity from consumption is almost non-existent because the observed As levels exceed only exceptionally the permissible limit established by the Ecuadorian TULSMA (Unified Text of Secondary Environmental Legislation) regulation. The presence of As in surface water is the result of anthropological activities such as the use of pesticides. A permanent monitoring of the quality of water resources for human consumption is necessary, particularly in the rainy season, due to the diffuse and difficult to control pollution processes.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mansooreh Dehghani ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Taghizadeh ◽  
Hassan Hashemi ◽  
Ebrahim Rastgoo

The city of Zarghan is located 25 km northeast of Shiraz, southern Iran. Zarghan is affected by numerous pollution sources such as oil refinery, an industrial park, and Shiraz-Tehran highway. The numerous contaminating sources around Zarghan can cause serious local air pollution. Sulfur dioxide gas is an important index of air pollution in cities. Therefore, in order to control and manage Zarghan air quality, it is important to monitor sulfur dioxide concentration in the surrounding area. It is also essential to know about the contribution level of other sources of pollution as well as dispersion radius of pollutants in the area. In this study, the concentration of sulfur dioxide was measured by passive sampling at 10 different stations. These values were interpolated in other parts of the city using ArcGIS software. The results of sampling showed that the concentration of the gas was 60 µgm−3around oil refinery. The level was 19 µgm−3in region located about 3 km from the oil refinery. It was also demonstrated that the gas concentration was not higher than the standard limit within residential area. On the other hand, the role of the local highway and industrial park was not significant in contaminating air in urban areas.


2020 ◽  
Vol 150 ◽  
pp. 02002
Author(s):  
Anass Qoutbane ◽  
Essediya Cherkaoui ◽  
Mohamed Khamar ◽  
Abderrahman Nounah

The quality of groundwater in and around the city of Tiflet depends mainly on the various anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems where the Maamora groundwater in this region is subject to liquid discharges from the city of Tiflet from Oued Tiflet and infiltration of leachate from the uncontrolled landfill. With the ultimate aim of considering the necessary solutions and ensuring the means of protecting water resources and sustainable development of the Tiflet region, the study of the physical, chemical and bacteriological quality of groundwater (Maamora groundwater) from the city of Tiflet to the centre of the commune of Sidi Boukhelkhal, which is located north-west of the city and on the banks of Oued Tiflet, is the first step. These results are processed by ArcGis software and presented by interpolation maps. The bacteriological characterization of groundwater shows that it is not drinkable but acceptable for agricultural use, however, physico-chemical parameters such as nitrates and sulphates remain below the quality standards for human consumption. Turbidity, pH and conductivity vary according to space but also do not exceed quality standards in irrigation and human consumption.


Urban Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Valdemir Antoneli ◽  
Manuel Pulido-Fernández ◽  
João Anésio Bednarz ◽  
Leonardo Brandes ◽  
Michael Vrahnakis ◽  
...  

The catchment area of River das Antas (Irati, Paraná, Brazil) is of high importance both for human consumption and irrigation. Within Irati, this river passes through a rural area and through the city of Irati, crossing both poor and rich neighbourhoods. We selected three study areas downstream (a rural area, poor community, and rich neighbourhood) in which we measured turbidity, the concentration of sediments and pH during rainy days. Our results showed downstream trends of increasing turbidity and concentrations of sediments with decreasing pH. The values of turbidity and of concentration of sediments were significantly different in the rural area, while the pH values were significantly different between the three study areas. These findings highlight the effect of agricultural activities in the generation of sediments and turbidity. The—presumably expected—effects of organic urban waste from the poor neighbourhood were also detected in the pH values. We conclude that efforts should be made to ensure that land planning and training/education programmes on sustainable farming practices are undertaken by the authorities to reduce water pollution and its effects on water bodies during rainfall events, since paving streets is not a feasible option in the short term due to the high costs associated with this measure.


2008 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 411-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Eskola ◽  
V. Peuraniemi

AbstractLake sediments were studied from four lakes in environmentally different areas in northern Finland. Lakes Pyykösjärvi and Kuivasjärvi are situated near roads with heavy traffic and the city of Oulu. Lakes Martinlampi and Umpilampi are small lakes in a forest area with no immediate human impact nearby. The concentration of Pb increases in the upper parts of the sedimentary columns of Lake Kuivasjärvi and Lake Pyykösjärvi. This is interpreted as being an anthropogenic effect related to heavy traffic in the area and use of Lake Pyykösjärvi as an airport during World War II. High Ni and Zn concentrations in the Lake Umpilampi sediments are caused by weathered black schists. Sediments in Lake Martinlampi show high Pb and Zn contents with increasing Pb concentrations up through the sedimentary column. The sources of these elements are probably Pb-Zn mineralization in the bedrock, Pb-Zn-rich boulders and anomalous Pb and Zn contents in till in the catchment area of the lake.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (32) ◽  
pp. 833-847
Author(s):  
M. S. MEDEIROS ◽  
A. C. GOULART ◽  
I. S. PACHECO ◽  
F. A. AMARAL ◽  
S. C. CANOBRE

The decrease of the water available for human consumption is directly related to the unregulated and unconscious action from the man himself. In rural areas, this depreciation is related to inappropriate conditions of artesian wells that capture the water (old wells and poorly sealed) and which are usually close to sources of pollution, such as septic tanks and animal grazing. In this context, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the physico-chemical and microbiological quality of underground water samples made available for consumption in three schools in the field next to the municipality of Uberlândia-MG. Methodologically, the data were statistically processed by means of descriptive and multivariate analysis (Pearson correlation coefficient). All schools are supplied by an artesian well, being carried out simplified treatment (chlorination mechanism of chemical treatment). In only one of the schools was identified the presence of a septic tank sewage collection system. Of samples evaluated, all were at odds with the standards laid down in annex XX of the Consolidation Ordinance No. 5 of the Ministry of health (old law 2,914/2011) in at least one of the parameters evaluated. Therefore, the results reflect the possibility of biological contamination of the water by grazing areas located in the region close to the wells, as well as the need for emerging measures, such as regular cleaning and maintenance of storage systems and distribution of the water consumed in the institutions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 164 ◽  
pp. 07024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladislav Zaalishvili ◽  
Aleksandr Kanukov ◽  
Ketevan Korbesova

According to numerous studies, even with a relatively low level of exposure to adverse environmental factors, risk of health deterioration may occur. Both the amount of harmful emissions and their chemical composition directly affect the level of air pollution. The article considers the issues of environmental pollution of an urbanized area by automobile exhausts. The most polluted city is Vladikavkaz that is the capital of the Republic. There the main stationary sources of pollution are located and the largest number of vehicles is concentrated. The dynamics of increasing the number of vehicles in the city of Vladikavkaz over the past 10 years and a corresponding increase in harmful emissions from combustion products are shown. For the same period of time, the amount of emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere from stationary sources has been considered in order to compare their contribution to total pollution compared to road transport. Based on the explorations, it is shown that the main source of pollution in terms of emissions in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania is road transport. The number of vehicles is increasing year after year, amid a decrease in total emissions of pollutants from stationary sources.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 683-696
Author(s):  
Olivia N. Barberi ◽  
Carrie J. Byron ◽  
Kristin M. Burkholder ◽  
Adam T. St. Gelais ◽  
Alicia K. Williams

AbstractIn the Northeast USA, the aquaculture of macroalgae is a rapidly growing industry. Within this region, there are no established regulations for farm siting or methods of pathogen detection on macroalgae cultivated or harvested for human consumption. Bacterial pathogens from natural and anthropogenic sources may persist in coastal waters and can potentially contaminate macroalgae. During the winter growing season, sugar kelp Saccharina latissima and adjacent water were sampled from three sites of kelp aquaculture located in adjacent bays of ME, USA. Membrane filtration onto selective media detected Escherichia coli, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio alginolyticus in kelp and water samples at all sites, however plate counts were very low. The foodborne pathogens Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium, V. parahaemolyticus, and enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 were detected on enriched kelp samples from 83%, 78%, and 56% of sampling events, respectively, using molecular methods. Even with low bacterial levels, this frequency of detection confirms the risk of foodborne pathogens present on kelp and recommends the development of best management practices to control microbial growth during kelp harvest and processing. Bacterial plate counts from kelp samples often varied from those of water, indicating the importance of sampling the kelp directly, and that the association between bacterial pathogens on kelp and in the surrounding water should be further investigated. This study provides the first food safety assessment of sea vegetables in this region with the goal of providing data to enable the expansion of its industry.


2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarva Mangala Praveena ◽  
Siti Shapor Siraj ◽  
Ahmad Zaharin Aris ◽  
Noraidi Mustafa Al-Bakri ◽  
Ahmad Kimon Suleiman ◽  
...  

1986 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-96
Author(s):  
C. C. Glansdorp ◽  
J. F. Kemp ◽  
E. M. Goodwin ◽  
R. Tresfon

This paper attempts to explain the development of a method to quantify navigational risk within European waters as a part of the COST 301 project. The objective of this project, partly funded by the EEC and partly by the member countries and a few other European countries, is to increase marine safety and to prevent pollution in European (coastal) waters by shore based aids to navigations. The methodology of this study is explained. The analysis of the collected data regarding traffic and casualties is given. The probability of a collision and a stranding is determined.The authors are all members of working group 2 of COST 301. Ir. Glansdorp and Captain Tresfon are from the Netherlands Maritime Research Institute, Dr Goodwin is Head of the Mathematics Department at the Polytechnic of North London and Professor Kemp is former Head of the School of Navigation at the City of London Polytechnic.


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