Toxicity thresholds of nine herbicides to coral symbionts (Symbiodiniaceae)

Over 30 herbicides have been detected in catchments and waters of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and their toxicity to key tropical species, including the coral endosymbiotic algae Symbiodiniaceae, is not generally considered in current water quality guideline values (WQGVs). Mutualistic symbionts of the family Symbiodiniaceae are essential for the survival of scleractinian corals. We tested the effects of nine GBR-relevant herbicides on photosynthetic efficiency (ΔF/Fm′) and specific growth rate (SGR) over 14 days of cultured coral endosymbiont Cladocopium goreaui (formerly Symbiodinium clade C1). All seven Photosystem II (PSII) herbicides tested inhibited ΔF/Fm′ and SGR, with toxicity thresholds for SGR ranging between 2.75 and 320 µg L−1 (no effect concentration) and 2.54–257 µg L−1 (EC10). There was a strong correlation between EC50s for ΔF/Fm′ and SGR for all PSII herbicides indicating that inhibition of ΔF/Fm′ can be considered a biologically relevant toxicity endpoint for PSII herbicides to this species. The non-PSII herbicides haloxyfop and imazapic did not affect ΔF/Fm′ or SGR at the highest concentrations tested. The inclusion of this toxicity data for Symbiodiniaceae will contribute to improving WQGVs to adequately inform risk assessments and the management of herbicides in tropical marine ecosystems.

Suitability of reclaimed wastewater effluent from decentralized wastewater plant for irrigation

Decentralized wastewater plants have been proven to be cost-effective, easy to construct and operate and widely used in small ruler communities. The suitability of reclaimed wastewater for irrigation purpose was evaluated in this study based on the various water quality parameters, international water quality standards and water–irrigation water quality guideline (JS 1766). Twenty-seven samples were collected from a decentralized wastewater plant that is located in Balqa Governorate in Salt city, Jordan. Samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, major anions and cations, as well as biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids. Study results show that water is slightly alkaline in nature. According to Jordanian domestic reclaimed wastewater standard, the use of water for irrigation has a mild-to-moderate degree of restriction. Using the US Salinity Laboratory classification scheme, there is high salinity and medium sodium water, 50% of samples falls in the area of (C3-S2) and this water is suitable for irrigation for many types of soil with low risk of increasing exchangeable sodium content. According to chloride hazards, the water for irrigation can be used for moderately tolerant plants. 74% of the samples have the residual sodium carbonate (RSC) less than 1.25 meq/L and hence suitable for irrigation. The study recommends that treated wastewater from decentralized wastewater a plant is considered as non-conventional source for irrigation.

Prevention of Tuberculosis Reactivation

It is not known if screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is useful for reducing the risk of tuberculosis reactivation among people at risk (no evidence was found). In people with LTBI, providing treatment for the latent infection may be helpful for preventing the development of active tuberculosis disease. (In addition, LTBI treatments do not appear to increase the risk for hepatotoxicity.) Treatment effectiveness may depend on the specific LTBI treatment regimen used. For people at an increased risk for tuberculosis ― including those from areas with high rates of tuberculosis ― guidelines recommend screening and treatment for LTBI, as this may help prevent TB reactivation. Treatment is recommended for those who are 65 years old or younger and with a positive LTBI result (recommendation from 1 high-quality guideline).

Comprehensive Assessment and Potential Ecological Risk of Trace Element Pollution (As, Ni, Co and Cr) in Aquatic Environmental Samples from an Industrialized Area

A global assessment of arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) was performed in environmental samples from an important industrial bay. Different fractions of water, sediments and tissues from four species of fish were analysed. Samples were collected from selected sampling sites during four consecutive samplings in spring and autumn seasons, in order to evaluate concentrations and their possible correlations among the aquatic compartments. While a higher availability of Cr and Ni was found in water, Co and As were the most available elements in sediments. In fish, the liver was the tissue with the highest proportion of As and Co, and gills showed the highest concentrations of Ni and Cr. Significance differences were observed among sites showing the pollution sources. In sediments, high correlations were found between total Co content and the most available fractions. Total Ni content highly correlated with the oxidisable fraction, while Cr total content tightly correlated with the least available fractions. Quality guideline values for sediments were frequently exceeded. In sediments and biota, concentrations were slightly higher than in other ecosystems, indicating that maritime, industrial and urban activities are affecting this type of ecosystem with great anthropogenic influence.

Carcinogenic trace metals in ground water of Bathinda district, Punjab, India

Water is the second important source for surviving of human being on the earth because of it plays the major role in functioning of the body. in some decades decline the water quality due to the threatening of the environmental conditions and disposed untreated waste water in the water bodies which generate during the different activity in industries and human activities, which causes of increases of contamination of carcinogenic metals Include, mercury, cadmium, Arsenic, chromium, Selenium, Beryllium, Cobalt and nickel in ground water. These toxic metals Cancer causing to human being. Metals found in combined form of other element in the water. Carcinogenic metals Hg, Cr, As, Co, Cd, etc. also constituents of the earth crust. These were soluble in the percolate water, merged in the ground water. we have Evidences of carcinogens metals in the ground water of Bathinda district of Punjab. The present study attempt has been made to identify the types and concentration of different carcinogenic metallic ions present in ground water of South-Western, Bathinda district of Punjab. The pH was ranged from 6.5 -7.4 which were within the permissible limit of drinking ground water. Cr and Hg is above the permissible limit of drinking water quality guideline of WHO and BIS. Cr ranged from 70-360 ppb in ground water and highest level of Cr was observed at Lehra Mohabbat. The permissible limit in drinking water of Hg is 1ppb, all the sample have the Hg concentration level is above the limit. Expect three sites (JWS2-17.6 ppb, Bhambhia-11.9 ppb and Ganga-10.7 ppb) the concentration of Se and As was below the permissible limit.

Particulate Matter Exposures under Five Different Transportation Modes during Spring Festival Travel Rush in China

Serious traffic-related pollution and high population density during the spring festival (Chinese new year) travel rush (SFTR) increases the travelers’ exposure risk to pollutants and biohazards. This study investigates personal exposure to particulate matter (PM) mass concentration when commuting in five transportation modes during and after the 2020 SFTR: China railway high-speed train (CRH train), subway, bus, car, and walking. The routes are selected between Nanjing and Xuzhou, two major transportation hubs in the Yangtze Delta. The results indicate that personal exposure levels to PM on the CRH train are the lowest and relatively stable, and so it is recommended to take the CRH train back home during the SFTR to reduce the personal PM exposure. The exposure level to PM2.5 during SFTR is twice as high as the average level of Asia, and it is higher than the WHO air quality guideline (AQG).

Human pharmaceuticals in Ontario's environment: a review of management opportunities

Pharmaceuticals have been detected in water throughout the developed world. Some, while at low concentrations, can negatively affect freshwater wildlife. This thesis explores the level of risk that pharmaceuticals pose to Ontario’s environment, and possible challenges and opportunities for government action to address this issue. In addition to a literature review, this work replicates an earlier similar study by collecting information directly from seven purposefully selected Ontario experts. Results make it clear that pharmaceuticals pose some risk, but a consensus cannot be reached on the level of risk. With limited financial resources, it is difficult to prioritize pharmaceutical removal over other environmental problems without a clear understanding of the harm that pharmaceuticals pose. Nevertheless, there are opportunities for government action. Ontario could follow what British Columbia has done; it developed a Water Quality Guideline for pharmaceuticals that must be considered by government when making decisions that could affect water quality.

Human pharmaceuticals in Ontario's environment: a review of management opportunities

Pharmaceuticals have been detected in water throughout the developed world. Some, while at low concentrations, can negatively affect freshwater wildlife. This thesis explores the level of risk that pharmaceuticals pose to Ontario’s environment, and possible challenges and opportunities for government action to address this issue. In addition to a literature review, this work replicates an earlier similar study by collecting information directly from seven purposefully selected Ontario experts. Results make it clear that pharmaceuticals pose some risk, but a consensus cannot be reached on the level of risk. With limited financial resources, it is difficult to prioritize pharmaceutical removal over other environmental problems without a clear understanding of the harm that pharmaceuticals pose. Nevertheless, there are opportunities for government action. Ontario could follow what British Columbia has done; it developed a Water Quality Guideline for pharmaceuticals that must be considered by government when making decisions that could affect water quality.

Seasonal Distributions, and Risk Assessment of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in the Surficial Sediments from the Turag River, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) assessment in sediments of Turag River, Dhaka, Bangladesh has been conducted for the first time. This River provides critical ecological services to agriculture, industry, and transportation. However, the Turag River is one of the most industrially polluted rivers surrounding Dhaka in Bangladesh. In this study, six PCB congeners namely PCB 10, PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 138, PCB 153, and PCB 180, were analyzed in surface sediments by GC-ECD at 9 sampling sites. Pre-monsoon and post-monsoon season sampling were collected in this study. The total concentrations of PCBs varied from 344.49 to 0.22 ng/g dw and 10.6 to 1.68 ng/g dw in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon, respectively. The paramount contributor congener to the total PCBs was PCB 180 and was found at all sites. The ecological risk assessment indicated a high potential risk in pre-monsoon (Eri = 277.32) and low potential risk in post-monsoon (Eri = 25.69). Sediment quality guideline quotients (SQGQs) showed that PCBs in pre-monsoon would cause no or moderate biological effects on organisms at most sampling sites except in surface sediments of site S5 (high biological effects), while no adverse ecotoxicological effect was observed in post-monsoon. Considering both probable effect level (PEL) and threshold effect level (TEL), the new sediment quality guideline quotient (NSQGQ) showed that in post-monsoon PCBs contamination would cause moderate biological effects, while in pre-monsoon the findings remained consistent with the findings of SQGQ. This study gave a quick look at the PCB contamination scenario in the Turag River sediments and also allowed for a comparison between the investigated River and other rivers worldwide.