Validation of a diatom-based index of water quality confirms its utility in monitoring of the Lake Erie's nearshore area

We conducted a validation of the Planktonic Diatom Index (PDI) to demonstrate the utility of a water quality index for the monitoring of Lake Erie's nearshore pelagial zone. Using a large, independent dataset from the Western and Central Basins of Lake Erie for validation ensures realistic assessment of the performance of the index. Diatom-based biomonitoring allows for the inference of integrative information about water quality based on diatom species composition. The PDI is based on the assumption that phosphorus, an established proxy for eutrophication, is instrumental in the structuring of diatom communities. In this study, PDI scores and measured total phosphorus were significantly correlated (r²?=?0.34, r²?=?0.63 outliers removed). However, when samples were considered on a basin-wide basis, the PDI scores were not significantly predicted by measured total phosphorus in the Western Basin. We suggest that snapshot phosphorus measurements are less likely to represent the overall condition in the highly variable, eutrophic Western Basin. When multiple phosphorus measurements were averaged over time, the relationship with the integrative PDI scores was more apparent (r²?=?0.52). Through validation with an independent dataset, we show that the PDI is likely a monitoring tool that provides a robust assessment of water quality in the pelagial zone of the nearshore waters in Lake Erie.     

Effects of breed and age at slaughter on degradation of muscle lipids during processing of dry‐cured hams

Hams from Landrace, Duroc and Hampshire pigs slaughtered at ages 6, 7.5 and 9 months were processed to generate Norwegian Parma‐style hams. Lipid contents and the compositions of fatty acid classes (ΣSFA, ΣMUFA, ΣPUFA) within neutral lipids, phospholipids and free fatty acids were determined. Small differences in lipid degradation and composition of the classes were revealed. However, significant sensory differences related to lipids were observed. Breed was more important than age. Dry‐cured Hampshire hams gave a more intense mature odour that may be associated with higher overall lipid degradation. Unexpectedly, these hams also demonstrated high juiciness and tenderness, which could be related to the melting characteristics of the fat. Dry‐cured Duroc hams showed a higher susceptibility towards rancidity, presumably associated with preferential oxidation of n‐6 fatty acids relative to C18:1 n‐9. Dry‐cured Landrace hams showed the lowest juiciness and tenderness, likely due to their lower fat content (marbling).     

Nickel release from inexpensive jewelry and hair clasps purchased in an EU country — Are consumers sufficiently protected from nickel exposure?

Background

Nickel allergic subjects are at risk factor of acquiring hand eczema. In 1990 and 1994, respectively, Denmark and member states in the EU regulated nickel release from selected consumer products. The intention was that the nickel epidemic could be controlled and prevented if the general population was protected from high cutaneous nickel concentrations. Despite a decrease, the prevalence of nickel allergy remains high as nearly 10% of young women are nickel allergic.

Objective

This study aimed to perform dimethylglyoxime (DMG) testing of inexpensive jewelry and hair clasps purchased from random stores in Copenhagen, Denmark to detect the proportion of items that may result in nickel allergy.

Methods

Inexpensive jewelry and hair clasps were purchased from 36 stores and street vendors in Copenhagen and were later tested for nickel release using the DMG test.

Results

The study showed that 19.3% hair clasps, 14.8% earrings, and 12.9% necklaces intended for adult women released an excessive amount of nickel. Of 25 stores visited, 36.0% sold DMG positive jewelry. For items designed for children, excessive nickel release was identified in hair clasps (79.4%) and in finger rings (20%). Four (50.0%) of 8 children clothing stores sold jewelry that released too much nickel.

Discussion

Excessive nickel release has been regulated since 1990 in Denmark. However, 1/5 of purchased items released nickel in concentrations that may lead to nickel allergy. Especially hair clasps intended for children released an excessive amount of nickel.     

Oxygen consumption and activity of the white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), in lethal and nonlethal levels of the organochlorine insecticide, methoxychlor

The survival, oxygen consumption and spontaneous activity of suckers were determined at 15°C in water containing different concentrations of methoxychlor in ethanol, ethanol, and no added substances. A dynamic bioassay was used to estimate the 96 h LC50, which was found to be 0·0345 ppm. Routine oxygen consumption was determined in a continuous-flow respirometer, and the activity was recorded in separate experiments by measuring the water disturbance using silver wire electrodes.After 24 h fish exposed to untreated, ethanol-treated and 0.01 ppm methoxychlor-treated water had oxygen uptake rates which were relatively constant and near standard levels. At 0.10 ppm methoxychlor (lethal to all fish within 85 h), oxygen consumption rates were 2–3.5 × as high as those of control fish. Activity also greatly increased. The fish lost their balance along with the coordination between opercular and locomotor movements. Suckers that died in 0.04 ppm methoxychlor showed oxygen uptake rates and poisoning symptoms similar to 0.10 ppm treated fish, while those that survived this treatment had rates similar to control fish. The increase in ventilation which accompanies this hyperactivity may result in increased uptake of insecticide and thereby explain the irreversible nature of the response.     

Lead, cadmium, mercury and selenium in Greenland marine biota and sediments during AMAP phase 1

Lead, cadmium, mercury and selenium levels in the Greenland marine environment from the first phase of the AMAP are presented. Samples were collected in 1994-1995 covering four widely separated regions in Greenland. Samples included sediments, soft tissue of blue mussel; and liver of polar cod, shorthorn sculpin, glaucous gull, Iceland gull and ringed seal. Concentrations of lead were found to increase with the size of blue mussel, but not with the age of gulls or ringed seal. Both cadmium and mercury concentrations were found to increase with the size/age of all species. Selenium concentrations decreased with increasing size of blue mussel, but increased with the age of gulls and ringed seal. Element levels found are within the range of those found in previous studies in Greenland. Relative to global background levels, lead levels must be considered low, whereas levels of cadmium, mercury and selenium in Greenland marine biota are high. Significant differences in element levels in sediments and biota among regions in Greenland were seen in several cases. There was a tendency for the highest lead and mercury concentrations to be found in east Greenland, whereas the highest cadmium concentrations were found in central west Greenland. However, the geographical differences among the media did not show a consistent pattern.     

Accumulation of cadmium in livers and kidneys in Greenlanders

In the Arctic, the traditional diet exposes its people to a very high intake of cadmium because it is highly concentrated in the liver and kidneys of commonly eaten marine mammals. In one study in Greenland, the cadmium intake was estimated to 182 microg/day/person in the fall and 346 in the spring. To determine whether the cadmium is accumulated in humans, we analyzed autopsy samples of liver and kidneys from 95 ethnic Greenlanders (aged 19-89) who died from a wide range of causes. The cadmium concentration in liver (overall mean 1.97 microg/g wet wt) appeared to be unrelated to any particular age group, whereas the concentrations in the kidneys peaked in Greenlanders between 40 and 50 years of age (peak concentration 22.3 microg/g wet wt). Despite the high cadmium levels in the typical Greenlander diet, we found that the cadmium concentrations in livers and kidneys were comparable to those reported from Denmark, Sweden, Australia and Great Britain. Furthermore, even though the mean cadmium intake from the diet was estimated to be 13-25 times higher in Greenlanders than in Danes, we found similar cadmium levels in the kidneys of both. Seal livers and kidneys are the main source of cadmium in the diet of Greenlanders, but these tissues are not eaten in Denmark. Thus, our results suggest that the accumulation of cadmium from Greenlander's marine diet is very low.     

Levels and spatial and temporal trends of contaminants in Greenland biota: an updated review

Knowledge of contaminant levels in Greenland biota has increased substantially in recent years, particularly for persistent organic pollutants. This paper reviews and updates knowledge of spatial and temporal trends of Cd, Hg and organochlorines (PCBs, DDTs, HCHs, HCB and chlordane-related compounds) in Greenland terrestrial, freshwater and marine biota. The most comprehensive studies of spatial trends of Cd and Hg in the terrestrial ecosystem concern lichens, with relatively complete coverage, and caribou (Rangifer tarandus), with coverage mainly in different regions of central West Greenland and Southwest Greenland. The Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) is the only freshwater organism for which studies of spatial trends of Hg levels have been completed. Information on spatial trends of Cd and Hg in the marine environment is available from studies of fish, seabirds, ringed seals (Phoca hispida) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Geographical patterns of Cd and Hg in Greenland biota were not always consistent among different species or different studies. In landlocked Arctic char the concentrations of Hg decreased from south to north. In marine animals levels of Hg tended to be higher in East Greenland than in West Greenland and Cd levels were highest in biota from Disko Island in central West Greenland. The observed regional differences are difficult to explain but in most cases the causes appear to be natural rather than anthropogenic. Only a few time series covering the last 20 years exist for Cd and Hg. The one time series indicating a temporal change is for ringed seals in Northwest Greenland, which shows an increasing trend of Hg and a decreasing trend of Cd since 1984. Whether the changes reflect anthropogenic inputs, seal behaviour or other environmental factors is unknown. The most significant new insights have concerned organochlorines. In general, levels of these compounds were very low in terrestrial biota compared to marine species. Concentrations in landlocked Arctic char were highest in Southeast Greenland and lowest in Northwest and Northeast Greenland. Marine species from East Greenland had consistently higher levels of SigmaPCB, SigmaDDT and SigmaHCH than marine species from West Greenland. Very few data exist to evaluate temporal changes of organochlorine levels in Greenland biota, and this is the most significant knowledge gap at present. The most pronounced change observed was a decrease of 78% in SigmaPCB levels in polar bears from East Greenland from 1990 to 2000. Levels of SigmaHCH in shorthorn sculpins (Myoxocephalus scorpius) and seals from both central West Greenland and central East Greenland appear to have decreased since 1994. Increasing trends of SigmaDDT from 1994 until now were found in both sexes of seals as well as in male sculpins from central West Greenland.