Patterns, trends, and toxicological significance of chlorinated hydrocarbon and mercury contaminants in bald eagle eggs from the Pacific coast of Canada, 1990-1994

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) eggs were collected during incubation, 1990-1992, from 16 nests near three bleached-kraft pulp mills, from six nests in the Fraser River estuary and from seven nests at a reference site on the Pacific coast of Canada. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were present in all eggs in a qualitatively similar pattern among sites. Mean concentrations of 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) were significantly higher in eggs collected from near three kraft pulp mill sites in the Strait of Georgia (44, 45, 84 ng/kg) than from the reference area in Johnstone Strait (15 ng/kg). There were few differences among sites in mean organochlorine pesticide levels, indicating the diffuse distribution of those chemicals and the domination of atmospheric inputs. Mean concentrations of total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were highest in eggs from the Strait of Georgia (4.86 mg/kg) and the PCB congener pattern was significantly different between that area and both the lower Fraser valley and Johnstone Strait. Mean mercury concentrations, which were mainly methyl-mercury, were significantly higher in eggs collected from the lower Fraser Valley (0.258 mg/kg) and Johnstone Strait (0.294 mg/kg) compared to the Strait of Georgia (0.188 mg/kg). Individual and regional variation in concentrations of organochlorine pesticides, PCBs and mercury in eagle eggs were thought to be influenced mainly by dietary differences. Toxicologically, in 1990, mean TCDD-toxic equivalents (TEQs) in bald eagle eggs were about two-fold greater than a lowest-observed-effect level, suggested elsewhere for this species, of 210 ng/kg TEQs. In the Strait of Georgia, PCCDs and PCDFs made a greater contribution to TEQs than non-ortho and mono-ortho PCBs, whereas the reverse was true for eggs outside the strait. Mean eggshell thickness was less than the pre-1947 value at all sites, although there was no significant relationship between eggshell thickness and DDE concentrations. Levels of other organochlorine pesticides and mercury were below those considered to be toxic.     

Formation of octa- and heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins during semi anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge

Octa- and heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (OCDD and HpCDD) were formed during semi anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge at low temperature (20 degrees C). A twofold increase of OCDD and HpCDD was found after a digestion period of 192 days even if concentrations were corrected by corresponding accumulation factors caused by the degradation of biomass. Other polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/F) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were not increased. Under strictly anaerobic and aerobic conditions, however, no OCDD and HpCDD were formed. Semi anaerobic formation of OCDD and HpCDD may explain the prevalence of higher chlorinated PCDD in the homologues pattern typical for sewage sludge.     

In Situ Size Distribution of Suspended Particles in the Fraser River

Size distributions of suspended sediment particles under low flow conditions in the Fraser River were measured using a submersible laser instrument. By comparing the in situ size distribution measured using this instrument with the size distribution of primary particles (measured by collecting sediment samples and analyzing them for size distribution after dispersing the particles by ultrasonic vibration), it was concluded that suspended sediment particles in the Fraser River downstream of pulp mill effluent outfalls are transported as agglomerations of particles (flocs) rather than as individual particles. Flocculation of river sediments in estuaries has been investigated in earlier studies, which show that saltwater intrusion contributes to the flocculation mechanism. Freshwater flocculation, such as the one observed in the present study, also has been reported in the literature, and it is attributed to the presence of organic materials and other contaminants from industrial and sewage treatment plant effluents. This paper describes the details of the submersible laser instrument and its use in the Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada.     

Increased concentrations of octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in cases with breast cancer--results from a case-control study

Organochlorines are persistent and highly lipophilic environmental contaminants which bioaccumulate in the food chain. Some of these chemicals, 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (DDT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), have been suggested to be of significance in the aetiology of breast cancer. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is an anti-oestrogen in animal studies and should be thus lower the risk of breast cancer. The other isomers of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) or the chemically related polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) have not been tested regarding carcinogenesis of the breast. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether PCDDs or PCDFs influence the risk for breast cancer. Consecutive patients who underwent surgery for a breast disease between 1993 and 1995 were recruited for the study. Cases were 22 patients with infiltrative breast cancer and controls were 19 patients operated for a benign breast disease during the same time period. Approximately 10 g of breast tissue free from tumour was taken from the specimen and frozen until analysis. Fat was extracted, cleaned and analysed with a high-resolution gas chromatograph coupled to a high-resolution mass spectrometer. Median concentrations of octachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) were 598 (170-14,880) and 396 (103-1,847) pg/g lipid in the cases and in the controls, respectively. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis controlling for other risk factors for breast cancer increased odds ratio (OR) was obtained for OCDD: 401-1000 pg/g lipid yielded OR 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4-39, > 1000 pg/g lipid gave OR 5.2, CI 0.4-72. When the lipid OCDD variable was examined as a continuous risk factor there was a 1.09 (9%), CI 0.95-1.25, increase in the adjusted OR for breast cancer per 100 unit (pg/g lipid) increase in OCDD. No differences were found between cases and controls for the other six tested PCDDs. Mean concentration of TCDD was in the cases 3.6 (1.0-7.9) and in the controls 3.3 (1.1-6.3) pg/g lipid. For PCDFs no significant differences were found between cases and controls. The results were not changed if oestrogen or progesterone receptor status, S-phase fraction and DNA ploidy were considered. Breast tissue concentration of OCDD was increased in cancer patients, whereas the concentrations of other PCDDs and PCDFs were equal in cases and controls.     

Investigation on the dioxin emissions from electric arc furnace in Taiwan

In this study,the formation mechanism and removal efficiency of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans(PCDD/Fs) achieved with bag filter(BF) in an electric arc furnace(EAF) in Taiwan is evaluated via intensive stack sampling and analysis.The results indicate that the PCDD/F concentration measured in the stack gas of the EAF investigated was 0.16 ng I-TEQ/m1,which was significantly lower than the PCDD/F emission limit(0.5 ng I-TEQ/m~3) set for existing EAFs in Taiwan.Due to the low operating temperature(<60℃) of the BF adopted by the EAF investigated,76%of total toxicity PCDD/Fs could be removed from the flue gas stream. In addition,the partitioning of PCDD/Fs between vapor and solid phase at different locations in EAF did not change significantly,while a reduction of solid-phase PCDD/Fs was observed at the outlet of BF.As the chlorination level of PCDD/Fs congener increases,the vapor pressure of PCDD/F congener decreases,resulting in the increase of PCDD/Fs existing in solid phase.Hence,the removal efficiencies of highly chlorinated congeners were significantly higher than that of lowly chlorinated congeners.PCDFs accounted for more than 85%of the TEQ in flue gas of the EAF investigated,among them 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF(> 43%) was of the highest contribution.Overall,2,3,7,8-TCDD,2,3,7,8-TCDF and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF can serve as the unique congeners in the flue gas of the stainless steel EAF process.     

Progress in reducing the TCDD/TCDF content of effluents, pulps and wastewater treatment sludges from the manufacturing of bleached chemical pulp

This report summarizes the data received in response to NCASI's 1996 "Industry-Wide Dioxin Profile" and data on tissue concentrations in fish taken downstream from mill discharges. The current survey was the sixth effort to update industry accomplishments since the "104 Mill Study" in 1988. As of the end of 1996, bleaching export vector TCDD/TCDF contents have been reduced by 94% on a TEQ basis from the 1988 level. The few observations above nominal detection limits tend to be from mills that have not supplied new data to NCASI. Current releases are approaching the point where the difference between the estimate and "non-detect" levels is hardly quantifiable. The analysis of data on fish tissue taken downstream of pulp mill discharges showed an average 24% per year decrease, reflecting reductions in effluent loadings.     

钢厂与城市共生关系

中国的大中型钢厂多位于城市中,近年来随着各大城市发展水平的快速提升,钢厂与城市发展的新要求不相适应的矛盾日益显现,包括环境、能源、社会经济等多方面,城市钢厂在城市的生存空间受到挤压。通过分析城市钢厂与城市之间在社会经济、上下游产业、资源能源以及环境质量等方面的关系,梳理两者间存在的主要矛盾,为未来城市钢厂如何转型升级以更好地适应城市的迅速发展提供基础依据。     

IgG autoantibodies from bullous pemphigoid (BP) patients bind antigenic sites on both the extracellular and the intracellular domains of the BP antigen 180

We assessed chlorinated hydrocarbon contamination of mink and river otters on the Columbia and Fraser River systems of northwestern North America, in relation to morphological measures of condition. We obtained carcasses of mink and river otters from commercial trappers during the winters 1994-1995 and 1995-1996. Necropsies included evaluation of the following biological parameters: sex, body mass and length, age, thymus, heart, liver, lung, spleen, pancreas, kidney, gonad, omentum, adrenal gland and baculum masses, baculum length, and stomach contents. Livers were analyzed, individually or in pools, for residues of organochlorine (OC) pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dibenzo-p-dioxins, and dibenzofurans. Contaminant levels were relatively low compared to those documented in other North American populations, although they ranged higher than those detected during an earlier survey (1990-1992) of these regional populations. Body condition varied slightly among collection regions, but showed no relationship with contaminant burden. Mink from the upper Fraser River had less fat stores and also had some of the lowest OC contamination levels observed. Similarly, a few individuals with enlarged livers and kidneys had low contaminant levels. Although a few individual animals with gross abnormalities of reproductive systems did not show high levels of contamination, there was a significant negative correlation between total PCB concentrations (as Aroclor 1260) and baculum length in juvenile mink (r = 0.707; p = 0.033; n = 8). The association of juvenile baculum length with eventual reproductive success is unknown, but further characterization of reproductive organ morphology and relationship to contaminants should be undertaken in a larger subset of these populations.     

Postnatal exposure to chlorinated dioxins and related chemicals on thyroid hormone status in Japanese breast-fed infants

Effects of postnatal exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs) on thyroid hormone status were studied in the peripheral blood of 36 breast-fed Japanese infants. Estimated total intakes of these chemicals in toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) converted into 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) from the breast milk significantly and negatively correlated with the levels of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) in the blood of breast-fed babies. Therefore, exposure to background levels of the highly toxic organochlorine chemicals through the breast milk may cause some effects on thyroid hormone status in Japanese infants.     

Metabolic and functional consequences of successive no-flow and sustained low-flow ischaemia; a 31P MRS study in rat hearts

Sawmill workers in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada, have been exposed to chlorophenate fungicides which are known to be contaminated with polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Due to concern about the potential of these workers to have significant body burdens of PCDD/Fs, and the absence of measurements in these workers, a single-compartment pharmacokinetic model was developed to estimate the concentration of PCDD/Fs in the fat tissue of the sawmill workers. Data from a large cohort of B.C. sawmill workers and literature-based data on chlorophenate exposures and PCDD/F concentrations in chlorophenates were used in Monte Carlo simulations to predict a PCDD/F body burden distribution. The median concentrations of HxCDF and HpCDF predicted using the model for the B.C. sawmill worker population exceeded the range measured in unexposed populations. PeCDF and OCDF concentrations exceeded the range measured in unexposed populations at the 70th percentile of the model-predicted distribution, and PeCDD at the 90th percentile. The primary limitation of the model was the scarcity of input data about actual dermal and inhalation exposures to chlorophenates.     

Long-Term Dynamic Modeling Approach to Quantifying Attached Algal Growth and Associated Impacts on Dissolved Oxygen in the Lower Truckee River, Nevada

Nutrient loads enter the lower Truckee River of western Nevada, affecting the growth of attached algae (periphyton) which causes depressed nighttime dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. The lower Truckee River is home to the endangered cui-ui and threatened Lahontan cut-throat trout, with DO standards being established to in part protect these species. Hydrodynamics, nutrient concentrations, periphyton biomass, and DO data spanning August 2000–December 2001 were used to calibrate and verify a modified version of the Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program Version 5 (WASP5). Under typical loading conditions the periphyton community is nitrogen limited, however nitrogen loading from an upstream wastewater treatment facility increased greatly during the analysis period due to approved site construction activities (discharge permit excursion) causing the periphyton community to temporarily become phosphorus limited. The developed modeling approach, with limited calibration, was able to accurately track dynamic system responses. Removing the impact of the noted discharge permit excursion resulted in a minimum computed DO value of 4.13?mg/L, occurring at the downstream end of the modeling domain on August 8, 2001. Additionally removing the impact of all nutrient loads from area agriculture resulted in a predicted minimum DO value of 4.54?mg/L, while also shifting its location significantly upstream and its timing to April 26, 2001. Meeting all prescribed DO standards required establishing a minimum in-stream flow value of 1.81?m3/s (64.0?ft3/s) downstream of Derby Dam.     

Breeding biology of Muscovy duck Cairina moschata in natural incubation: the effect of nesting behavior on hatchability

A breeding biology study of a genetically unselected variety of Muscovy duck Cairina moschata was conducted in an experimental duck unit in Maputo, Mozambique (25 degrees 58' S, 32 degrees 35' E), to gain insight into factors affecting hatchability during natural incubation. Nesting and incubation behaviors were recorded by daily nest visits. Of 1,338 nests investigated, 70% were incubated until hatching. In 23% of the incubated nests, eggs were laid by more than one duck in the same nest, indicated as dump nests. Artificial dump nests (15% of the incubated nests) were created by adding eggs (690 eggs) from nests abandoned by the duck before incubation had started. A total of 37% of the incubated nests contained eggs that were laid after the onset of incubation (nonterm eggs). Similar hatching rate was found between ducks raised in parks with or without access to swimming water. No significant difference was found in hatchability between normal (0.76) and dump nests (0.77). Artificial dump nests showed higher hatching rates than nests containing nonterm eggs. Dump nesting appears to be a reproductive strategy used by the Muscovy duck to enhance duckling production. Hatching rate was strongly influenced by the length of laying period (period between the ovoposition of the first egg until the onset of incubation) and reproduction cycle (laying period and incubation period). Hatchability was higher for clutches with a shorter reproduction cycle. It is concluded that nesting behavior of the domesticated Muscovy duck is similar to that of its wild ancestor.     

Polychlorinated dioxin and dibenzofuran levels in the environment and food from the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia

The paper summarises systematic 5-year monitoring of the environment, drinking water and food for PCDDs and PCDFs levels in industrial centres and in rural areas of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia. It also presents selected data on dioxin concentrations in gas emissions of toxic waste incinerators at chemical plants. The paper gives a comparative analysis of PCDDs/PCDFs daily intake by the population of industrial cities for Bashkortostan and for industrial countries of Europe and North America. The results show that PCDDs/PCDFs levels in the environment, drinking water and food in Bashkortostan are approximately equal to those in other industrial countries.     

Sources of Vibrio mimicus contamination of turtle eggs

Vibrio mimicus contamination of sand increased significantly during the arrival of the olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) at Ostional anidation beach, Costa Rica. Statistical analysis supports that eggs are contaminated with V. mimicus by contact with the sand nest. V. mimicus was isolated from eggs of all nests tested, and ctxA+ strains were found in 31% of the nests, all of which were near the estuary.     

Characterization of the AMP-activated protein kinase kinase from rat liver and identification of threonine 172 as the major site at which it phosphorylates AMP-activated protein kinase

We have developed a sensitive assay for the AMP-activated protein kinase kinase, the upstream component in the AMP-activated protein kinase cascade. Phosphorylation and activation of the downstream kinase by the upstream kinase absolutely requires AMP and is antagonized by high (millimolar) concentrations of ATP. We have purified the upstream kinase >1000-fold from rat liver; a variety of evidence indicates that the catalytic subunit may be a polypeptide of 58 kDa. The physical properties of the downstream and upstream kinases, e.g. catalytic subunit masses (63 versus 58 kDa) and native molecular masses (190 versus 195 kDa), are very similar. However, unlike the downstream kinase, the upstream kinase is not inactivated by protein phosphatases. The upstream kinase phosphorylates the downstream kinase at a single major site on the alpha subunit, i.e. threonine 172, which lies in the "activation segment" between the DFG and APE motifs. This site aligns with activating phosphorylation sites on many other protein kinases, including Thr177 on calmodulin-dependent protein kinase I. As well as suggesting a mechanism of activation of AMP-activated protein kinase, this finding is consistent with our recent report that the AMP-activated protein kinase kinase can slowly phosphorylate and activate calmodulin-dependent protein kinase I, at least in vitro (Hawley, S. A., Selbert, M. A., Goldstein, E. G., Edelman, A. M., Carling, D., and Hardie, D. G. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 27186-27191).     

Infanticide in great reed warblers: secondary females destroy eggs of primary females

In 1994-1995 artificial nests with attached model eggs were put into territories that were known to have been occupied by male great reed warblers, Acrocephalus arundinaceusin previous years. Because the eggs were made of soft plasticine, predators left peckmarks in them and this enabled us to identify predators by comparing peckmarks with reference marks made by various species. Previous field data had suggested that infanticidal behaviour existed in our study population, as nests of primary females suffered a three times higher rate of nest loss during the egg-laying period than nests of secondary and monogamous females. The presence of infanticide was supported by the experiment. Small peckmarks resembling those of a great reed warbler occurred almost exclusively in territories occupied by great reed warblers, in particular when a new female settled in the territory. The newly settled females built nests closer to depredated than non-depredated nests. That small peckmarks occurred when new females settled strongly suggests that it is secondary female great reed warblers that commit infanticide on eggs of primary females. Females of low harem rank are expected to gain from infanticidal behaviour because a low ranked female gets a higher proportion of male parental investment when the nest of the primary female fails.     

Research and Application of Flat Roll Technology in the Downstream Stands for CSP

  CVC mills are generally used in the whole stands of CSP (Compact Strip Product). Their special “s” curve of work roll contour and shifting strategy aimed at controlling strip shape, and the characteristics of continuous casting and rolling production, which make the work roll wear in downstream stands seriously uneven, and easily form abnormal transverse profile at the rolling end. As a result, CVC mill configuration in the downstream stands can not meet the profile and flatness control requirement for schedule free rolling, and bring some difficulties in profile and flatness control for the subsequent cold rolling. Based on the characteristics of the shape control system of CSP production line, and combined with the theory of flat roll technology, a kind of technology solution of using flat roll in the downsteam stands for CSP hot strip mills was proposed. At last, industrial test was carried out in the last stand of Masteel CSP, and good results were obtained.     

RU-486 (Mifepristone) ameliorates diabetes but does not correct deficient beta-adrenergic signalling in adipocytes from mature C57BL/6J-ob/ob mice

HIV-1 RNA dimerization involves at least two key regions, one located upstream from the splice donor (SD) site, and the other located downstream from the SD site. To determine the precise location and the mechanism of action of the downstream region, we constructed a model system using a synthetic HIV-1 RNA fragment (HXB2, 455-1146), which dimerized at relatively low salt concentrations (100 mM KCl, 1 mM MgCl2). We tested in this system antisense DNAs that are complementary to both the upstream and downstream regions of HIV-1 RNA for their possible inhibitory effects on dimerization. Antisense DNAs complementary to nucleotides 773-789 located downstream from the SD site effectively inhibited dimerization of HIV-1 RNA. These inhibitory antisense DNAs hybridized with the dimer form of HIV-1 RNA, and dissociated the dimer into monomers. However, antisense DNAs complementary to the region upstream from the SD site did not hybridize with the dimer, although they inhibited RNA dimerization and also dissociated the preformed dimer.     

Discharge and Suspended Sediment Transport during Deconstruction of a Low-Head Dam

In March of 2003, the 43?m wide, 2.2?m high St. Johns Dam (Sandusky River, Ohio) was breached to lower the water level in the reservoir. In November of the same year, the dam was removed in an effort to restore aquatic habitat and connectivity in the river. During both the breach and the dam removal, high resolution time series of discharge and suspended sediment concentrations were monitored 200?m downstream of the dam. Discharge and suspended sediment during the breach were not discernible from background values. In contrast, the dam removal resulted in a peak suspended sediment concentration of 59?mg/L and a peak discharge of 33.5?m3/s, which returned to background levels of 19?mg/L and 1.5?m3/s, respectively, approximately 8?h after the removal. The floodwave during the removal attenuated by 50% at the City of Fremont, 53?km downstream, illustrating the diffusive nature of the channel and the limited risk of flooding downstream. Levels of suspended sediment and discharge during the removal were comparable to subsequent discharge events. Spatial distributions of turbidity in and upstream of the dam pool and archived turbidity data from the City of Tiffin, 13?km downstream of the dam, suggest that sediments stored in the impoundment did not statistically enhance turbidity up to 2 years after the removal. Generally, the removal had a minor impact on water quality and posed no risk to public safety or to downstream aquatic habitats.     

Left iliac venous thrombosis caused by venous spur: treatment with thrombectomy and stent implantation

Eggs of Forster's terns (Sterna forsteri) collected in 1991 from nesting colonies on Crescent Island (Columbia River) and the Potholes Reservoir in south central Washington generally contained low residues of organochlorine pesticides and metabolites, 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme activity in pipped embryos of Forster's terns from the two colonies seemed unaffected by contaminants. At Crescent Island, examination of 23 Forster's tern eggs with large embryos (19 viable [10 pipped] and four dead [two pipped]) revealed developmental abnormalities in two viable pipped embryos (missing maxilla and deformed pelvic girdle) and a viable prepipping embryo (shortened beak). Our limited sample sizes and number of compounds analyzed preclude us from determining whether or not the abnormalities are related to contaminants. No abnormalities were noted in 10 pipped eggs (nine viable and one dead at collection) of Forster's terns collected from the Potholes Reservoir colony. Eggs of Caspian terns (Sterna caspia) collected from Crescent Island in 1991 also contained generally low residues of contaminants, only one developmental abnormality was noted, and limited data indicated that cytochrome P450 enzyme activity apparently was unaffected by contaminants. Organochlorine contaminants were generally low in addled eggs of American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) collected from Crescent Island in 1994.