Showing papers in "Polish Journal of Environmental Studies in 1998"

Formation and metabolism of N-nitrosamines

Abstract: The formation of nitrosamines and reactions of the first and second phase of their biotransformations were reviewed.

Soil Contamination with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Poland - a Review

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide a summary of data on PAH content in soils in Poland, published in literature over the last 20 years. This paper presents a preliminary assessment of soil contamination by PAHs for different land use patterns. A review of available literature highlights the need to continue research on PAH contamination levels in environmental media in Poland, including surface soil. Results of such research would be important in order to better define exposure estimates in the general population and to examine the relationship between levels of PAHs in the environment and the subsequent development of health effects.

Speciation analysis of chromium in waters

Abstract: The total content of chromium in natural waters does not generally exceed several μg/l. Thus, it is obvious that various forms of chromium will occur at the levels of tenths or hundredths of μg/l. Their determination requires the application of a sufficiently sensitive method, but its specificity has an important role to play in the case of chemical individuals or selectivity in regard to speciation of a group of compounds, e.g. valency states or organic chromium complexes. Generally, however, there is a lack of specific and selective methods, and the concentrations of various forms of the analyte occur often at the level of detection limits of even such sensitive techniques as atomic absorption spectrometry. This paper presents a review of currently available analytical possibilities of chromium speciation investigations in natural water samples. Analytical procedure schemes enabling \"total speciation analysis\" have been discussed in some detail. A large group of methods used in the speciation analysis of chromium(III) and chromium(VI), both in off-line and on-line mode, has also been discussed.

Adsorption of Zinc in Some Selected Soils

Abstract: Eight soils were studied for adsorption reactions of zinc and evaluated for their quantity, intensity and supply parameters for zinc. With the addition of increasing amounts of zinc there was a simultaneous increase in the equilibrium concentration, adsorption, percent saturation of adsorption capacity and supply parameter of zinc. Multiple regression analysis revealed that in all soils quantity, intensity and equilibrium concentration were the main parameters accounting for the supply of zinc. Light loam (1), silty medium loam (6) and silt loam (7 and 8) soils having comparatively higher values for the adsorption maxima, bonding energy constant and differential buffering capacity of the soils will require higher rates of zinc to change in the solution concentration. For an ecological point of view this means a reduction of Zn toxicity.

Total Viable Count and Concentration of Enteric Bacteria in Bottom Sediments from the Czarna Hańcza River , Northeast Poland

Abstract: Studies were carried out to determine counts of TVC 20°C, TVC 37°C, TC, FC, FS and Clostridium perfringens in bottom sediments of the Czarna Haricza River, from about 1 cm layer, at 10 stations located in Suwatki region (stations 1 and 2), in the villages Sobolewo (stations 3 and 4), the old river bed of the Czarna Hancza and its inflow to Lake Wigry (stations 5 and 6), and in the villages Czerwony Folwark, Mackowa Ruda, Buda Ruska and Wysoki Most (stations 7-10) east of Lake Wigry. Bottom sediments from stations 1 -4 and 7-10 were mostly sandy, while at stations 5 and 6 they dominated by silty clay. Studies were carried out in 1995 and 1996, at monthly intervals with the exception of winter. Water was examined at the same time. All groups of indicatory bacteria were 100-1000 times more numerous in the bottom sediments than in water. They were usually least numerous in sandy bottom sediments, especially in the villages Buda Ruska and Wysoki Most (stations 9 and 10), and the highest in silty clay sediments in the region of the old Czarna Hancza bed and its inflow to Lake Wigry (stations 5 and 6). Minimal and maximal counts of indicatory bacteria were noted in different months upon particular sampling stations. Only sometimes curves of their numbers corresponded to the respective courves of bacteria counts in water. It is suggested that sanitary and bacteriological studies of water should be supplemented by respective studies of the surface layer of bottom sediments.

Effect of active ingredients on Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium legume dinitrogen fixation

Abstract: In field experiment the effect of two active ingredients (imazethapyr and linuron) on symbiotic nitrogen fixation activity and microorganisms under legume crops (pea, horse bean, yellow lupine, white lupine, soybean) was determined. The studies indicated that both imazethapyr and linuron can cause decrease of root-nodule bacteria nitrogenase activity. They also can stimulate development of bacteria and inhibit growth of fungi.

Attempts to Use Wind Energy for Artificial Destratification of Lake Starodworskie

Abstract: Attempts at lake restoration by artificial aeration with the use of wind energy were made on the heavily eutrophic Lake Starodworskie. The lake is small (only 7 ha surface area) but 23 m, deep. Artificial aeration was performed using the destratification method. Compressed air produced with the help of a wind turbine was subsequently delivered to the deepest site in the lake. As study results from 1985-87 show, the effects of the applied method were limited. Breaks in aeration caused by lack of winds or too low windpower prevented full destruction of thermal and chemical stratification. However, in the hypolimnion some temperature increase was observed, and oxygenation improvement - minor in summer and considerable in the other seasons. Moreover, the content of organic compounds and nutrients (especially phosphorus) decreased.

Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (Comet Assay) as a Tool for Environmental Biomonitoring. An Example of Pesticides

Abstract: Methods that permit the sensitive detection of DNA damage and repair are of special significance in the field of environmental research due to the long latent period between exposure to environmental agent(s) and genetic effect(s) becoming apparent. Malathion is a commonly used organophosphorus insecticide reported to be genotoxic both in vivo and in vitro, but the reports are conflicting. In order to elucidate the genotoxic potency of a compound present in commercial preparations of malathion, the DNA damaging effect of the insecticide and its isomer isomalathion was investigated using alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). Freshly isolated human peripheral blood lymphocytes were incubated with 75 and 200 µM of the chemicals for 1 h. The concentrations from the range we used are relevant to that in blood following various nonlethal human exposure to pesticides. Malathion caused no significant changes in the comet length of the lymphocytes throughout the range of concentrations tested. Isomalathion introduced damage to DNA in a dosedependent manner. Treated cells were able to recover within 60 min incubation in insecticide-free medium at 37oC. The reported genotoxicity of malathion might, therefore, be a consequence of its thermal and/or photochemical conversion to isomalathion and the presence of isomalathion as well as its oxidation products and other unspecified impurities in commercial formulations of malathion. In this regard, the results of our study indicate that malathion used as commercial product, i. e. containing isomalathion, can be considered as a genotoxic substance in vitro. This means that it can produce DNA disturbances in vivo. Therefore, malathion can be regarded as a potential mutagen/carcinogen and requires further investigation.

The avaluation of the contamination degree and the sanitary and bacteriological state of the waters in the Czarna Hancza River in the Region of Suwalki and Wigry National Park

Abstract: This paper evaluates contamination and sanitary and bacteriological states of the waters in the Czarna Haricza River in the region of Suwalki and Wigry National Park, and treated wastes corning from an urban sewage treatment plant. Microbiological examinations were carried out every month, in three annual cycles, in 1994-1996. Water samples were taken at 11 stations situated in the most characteristic places above Suwalki, below Suwatki, before inflow of treated wastes coming from the sewage treatment plant, in Sobolewo and at the mouth of the Czarna Haricza River to Wigry Lake, besides the tract from Czerwony Folwark to Wysoki Most towards the east of Wigry Lake. The following microbiological indices were examined: TVC 20°C, TVC 37°C, TC, FC, FS, Clostridium perfringens as well as numerical ratio FC:FS. The results of the examination of the number of respective indicator bacteria were compared with the purity criteria, organic substance loading and excrement material and water usefulness for recreation. Unsignificant contamination of the Czarna Haficza River was observed in Stary Br6d not far from Suwatki and in Czerwony Folwark, Mackowa Ruda and Buda Ruska in the eastern part of Lake Wigry, significant and/or strong water contamination of this river was noticed on the track from Suwalki to its mouth to Wigry Lake. The sources of the contamination were shown: point (sewages) and spacious (catchment) and leakage from cesspools in Sobolewo. A significant decrease of the number of the examined indicator bacteria of the contamination degree (TVC 20°C, TVC 37°C) of this part of the river in 1995 and 1996 was observed. The usefulness for bathing the examined fragment of the River Czarna Haricza above Suwalki and the fragment from Czerwony Folwark to Wysoki Most towards the east from Wigry Lake was presented.

The use of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans bacteria in the process of chalcopyrite leaching

Abstract: The use of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans bacteria in the process of copper and iron leaching from chalcopyrite coming from Kotlina Ktodzka was investigated. The influence of the mineral content in the leaching solution the pH value and refinement of chalcopyrite on the subsequent stages of leaching was established. The process was described by the 1st order reaction inhibited by one of the products (Cu 2+ ). Assuming this model, the kinetic parameters of leaching were determined.

Utilization of Low Molecular Weight Organic Compounds by Marine Neustonic and Planktonic Bacteria

Abstract: The efficiency of utilization of low molecular weight organic molecules by neustonic and planktonic bacteria inhabiting the waters of the Gdansk Deep region has been determined. The most intensive growth was observed in the presence of amino acids, while carbohydrates and organic acids were utilized less actively. Glutamic acid, asparatic acid, histidine, glycine, cysteine and calcium lactate were the most suitable sources of carbon and energy for the bacteria. Significant differences in the level of intensity of assimilation of low molecular weight organic molecules by bacteria inhabiting various water layers occurred.

The Role of Counterions in the Interaction of Some Cationic Surfactants with Model Membranes

Abstract: This paper studies the interaction of benzyltrimethyl- and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromides and chlorides with red blood cells and planar lipid membranes. The aim of the work was to find whether counterion type influences that interaction. The model membranes were pig erythrocytes and planar lipid membranes (BLM). A change of mechanical properties of these membranes was observed in the presence of the compounds studied. The measured parameters were a degree of hemolysis of erythrocytes and stability of BLM's. The critical concentration of a compound was the measure of BLM stability .The lifetime of BLMs under such concentrations of a compound did not exceed 3 min. It was found in each case that bromides influenced model membranes slightly stronger than the corresponding chlorides. A possible explanation of the results obtained is presented. Namely, it seems that the greater efficiency of bromides to destabilize model membranes in comparison with chlorides can be attributed to greater mobility and smaller radius of the hydrated bromide ion. This can be the reason why bromide anions modify surface potential of model membranes more efficiently, which in turn leads to more intensive interaction of bromides with such modified bilayer in comparison to their analog chlorides.

Effectiveness of Indicatory Microorganism Removal on Trickling Filter with Biofilm in Magnetic Field

Abstract: The objective of this study was to define the removal rate of the indicator microorganisms on various types of trickling filters with regard to the influence of: magnetic stream and electric current passage, and the effectiveness of microorganism adsorption onto the media. The hydraulic loading in the first eight variants were changing, while variants 9-14 were peformed at a constant loading. The study results have indicated a positive influence of the extra energy sources, i. e. a magnetic stream and electric current on the process of indicatory microorganism removal from waste water.

Pb Concentration in Dog Blood as an Indicator of Environmental Pollution

Abstract: This study aimed at determining Pb concentration in the blood of dogs raised in the environment polluted by copper industry. The dogs were divided into groups by age and height. The results show that there is a strong relationship between the age of dogs and Pb contents of canine blood. Besides, Pb content of small dogs was markedly higher than that of large dogs. Comparative studies by other authores on Pb contents of blood in children, adolescents and adults living under the same environmental conditions indicate that there is a close relationship between Pb contents of human and canine blood. Taking into account the observations mentioned above, the authors of the present study came to the conclusion that canine blood can be a good indicator showing to what extent human health can be threatened by lead. Analyzing Pb concentration in human and dog blood, the conversion factor for the comparison of dogs' and human ages was used.

Biodegradability of detergent powder surfactants in the river water die-away test

Abstract: A modified river water die-away test is developed for controlling the biodegradability of anionic surfactants (AS) and non-ionic surfactants (NS) of detergent powders. The tested powder undergoes a procedure replicating the washing process. An aliquot of the final solution is introduced into river water exhibiting good biodegradative ability. Primary biodegradation of both types of surfactant is monitored over 20 days and the MBAS method is used for determining AS and the indirect tensammetric method for NS. Twelve detergent powders purchased in Polish supermarkets in 1995 are analyzed. AS in all tested powders exhibit relatively fast and complete biodegradation. NS are very diverse in terms of biodegradability: two powders had NS not satisfying the 80% biodegradability limit.

Mutual antagonism between fluorescent pseudomonads and soil actinomycetes

Abstract: The inhibition of 23 strains of actinomycetes by 7 strains of fluorescent pseudomonads and vice versa, on 4 different media, was examined. The antagonism of pseudomonads was more frequent and more intense than that of actinomycetes. Inhibition was observed in pseudomonads and actinomycetes of both kinds of strains, antagonistic and non-antagonistic to Fusarium oxysporum. Some media were more favourable to the antagonism of pseudomonads and others to that of actinomycetes, hence in identical environmental conditions mutual antagonism between the two counter-partners occurred only rarely.

Plasmodial pigmentation of the acellular slime mould Physarum polycephalum in relation to the irradiation period

Abstract: Yellow Plasmodia of the acellular slime mould Physarum polycephalum irradiated with white light of 70 µmolm -2 •s -1 fluence rate showed two distinct changes in their colour depending on the irradiation period: 1) depigmentation of plasmodia (photobleaching) - within a short-term (hours) exposure, and 2) plasmodia taking on an orange colour as a result of a long period (a few days) of continuous exposure to radiation. Photobleached plasmodia transferred to the dark resynthetized the pigments and slowly (after about 10 hrs) become yellowish and then regained their yellow colour. General features of these pigments (extraction, solubility, absorption spectra) were comparable to those isolated from non-irradiated organisms. The pigments isolated from plasmodia subjected to a long period of irradiation differed qualitatively from those produced in the dark grown cultures. The general features of these pigments (e. g. solubility and absorption spectra) point to their being of the carotenoid type.

Fluorine in Milk

Abstract: This experiment was conducted in order to determine the concentration of fluorine in cow's milk and human breast milk. Milk samples were tested for fluoride concentration. After fractioning, free fluorine and protein-bound fluorine were tested using an ion-selective electrode. It was determined that concentration of fluorine in tested human breast milk was higher than in cow's milk. The fluorine appeared mainly in free form and only a small fraction was bound to proteins. Complete concentration of fluorine was higher in human breast milk than in cow's milk.