Xanthoria parietina as a biomonitor of airborne heavy metal pollution in forest sites in the North East of Morocco

Xanthoria parietina, common foliose lichen, growing in its natural habitat, was analysed for the concentration of five heavy metals (Fe, Cr, Zn, Pb and Cu) from different forest sites of North East of Morocco (Kenitra, Sidi Boughaba, Mkhinza, Ceinture Verte near Temara city, Skhirate, Bouznika and Mohammedia). The quantification was carried out by inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Results were highly significant p<0,001. The concentration of metals is correlated with the vehicular activity and urbanization. The total metal concentration is highest at the Kenitra area, followed by Ceinture Verte site near Temara city, which experience heavy traffic throughout the year. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of particulate matter on lichen of Xanthoria parietina was assessed as a complementary technique to wet chemical analysis for source apportionment of airborne contaminant. Analysis revealed high level of Cu, Cr, Zn and Pb in samples near roads.  

Suitability of Crangonyx pseudogracilis (Crustacea : Amphipoda) as an early warning indicator in the multispecies freshwater biomonitor

Background. Biological monitors are increasingly important in 'Biological Early Warning Systems' (BEWS) for monitoring water quality. This study examines the freshwater amphipod Crangonyx pseudogracilis as a potential new indicator species when used in the Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitor (MFB). The MFB is an online continuous biomonitor which uses impedance conversion to record behavioural responses of vertebrates and invertebrates.

Use of the multispecies freshwater biomonitor to assess behavioral changes of Corophium volutator (Pallas, 1766) (Crustacea, Amphipoda) in response to toxicant exposure in sediment

Automated sediment toxicity testing and biomonitoring has grown rapidly. This study tested the suitability of the marine amphipod Corophium volutator (Pallas, 1766) for sediment biomonitoring using the Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitor (MFB). Two experiments were undertaken to (1) characterize individual behaviors of C. volutator using the MFB and (2) examine behavioral changes in response to sediment spiked with the pesticide Bioban. Four behaviors were visually identified (walking, swimming, grooming and falling) and characterized in the MFB as different patterns of locomotor activity (0-2 Hz range). Ventilation was not visually observed but was detected by the MFB (2-8 Hz). No clear diel activity patterns were detected. The MFB detected an overall increase in C. volutator locomotor activity after Bioban addition to the sediments (56, 100, 121 mg kg(-1)). C. volutator was more active (both locomotion and ventilation) in the water column than the spiked sediment. C. volutator appears a sensitive and appropriate species for behavioral sediment toxicity assessment and biomonitoring. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Study of metals transfer from environment using teeth as biomonitor

We investigated chronic incorporation of metals in individuals from poor families, living in a small, restrict and allegedly contaminated area in Sao Paulo city, the surroundings of the Guarapiranga dam, responsible for water supply to 25% of the city population. A total of 59 teeth from individuals 7 to 60 years old were collected. The average concentrations of Pb, Cd, Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni and Cr were determined with an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The concentrations of all metals as function of the individuals` age exhibited a remarkable similarity: peaks between 7 and 10 years and sharply decreasing at higher ages, which could be attributed to alimentary habits and persistence to metals exposure all along the individuals` life span. From all the measured metals, lead and cadmium were a matter of much more concern since their measured values are close to the upper limits of the world wide averages. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

USING THE FRESHWATER BIVALVE Anodontites tenebricosus (LEA, 1834) AS A BIOMONITOR OF METALS IN THE RIBEIRA DE IGUAPE RIVER

USING THE FRESHWATER BIVALVE Anodontites tenebricosus (LEA, 1834) AS A BIOMONITOR OF METALS IN THE RIBEIRA DE IGUAPE RIVER. This study investigated the contamination of the Ribeira de Iguape River - RIR by Cd, Zn, Cr and Pb, using the bivalve Anodontites tenebrieosus as a biomonitor. Metal concentrations in tissue samples were measured by HR-ICPMS. Bivalve tissues exhibited mean levels of 1.00 mu g/g Cd: 152.89 mu g/g Zn; 14.79 mu g/g Cr and 4.40 mu g/g Pb. Lead concentrations were comparable to those reported for moderately contaminated sites. The results showed that Pb is bioavailable to the bivalves, exhibiting high concentrations and exceeding both natural and reference values for human consumption. The freshwater bivalve Anodontites tenebricosus is a suitable biomonitor of contamination by metals.

Análise multielementar em folhas de Nerium oleander L. usando fluorescência de raios X por dispersão em energia

Desde o início do século XX, a poluição do ar nos grandes centros piorou em consequência processo de industrialização e urbanização, juntamente com o rápido crescimento populacional e do transporte motorizado. Algumas espécies de plantas absorvem os poluentes atmosféricos pelas suas folhas e então, fixa-os em sua matriz, tornando-se assim um biomonitor de poluição nessa área. Assim, a análise foliar dessas espécies de vegetal pode ser usado como monitoramento ambiental. Uma das plantas que tem a habilidade de reter certos elementos químicos do ambiente e pode ser usada como biomonitor é a Nerium oleander L.. Neste estudo utilizou-se folhas de Nerium oleander L. para avaliar os níveis de poluição ambiental em uma sub-região da Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro através da Fluorescência de Raios X (EDXRF). O sistema de EDXRF foi desenvolvido no próprio laboratório e consiste de um sistema portátil de XRF formado por um mini tubo raio X de baixa potência (anodo de Ag e operação em 20 kV/50 μA) e um detector de SiPIN. As amostras de Nerium oleander L. foram coletadas de plantas adultas. As amostras foram coletadas durante as quatros estações do ano (verão, outono, inverno e primavera). Todas as folhas foram coletadas a uma distância superior de 1,5 m em relação ao solo. As amostras foram acondicionadas em sacos plásticos e depois da chegada ao laboratório foram colocados sob refrigeração a 5 C. No laboratório, as amostras foram limpas com um pincel com cerdas macias para retirar a poeira. Depois disso, as amostras foram colocadas na estufa a 60 C por 48 h. Em seguida, as amostras foram pulverizadas (44 μm). Depois desse processo, alíquotas de 500 mg de massa foram prensadas a uma pressão de 2.32×108 por cerca de 15 minutos, afim de se obter pastilhas finas com diâmetro de 2,54 cm e densidade superficial de 100 mg/cm2. Foi possível detectar a concentração de 13 elementos: S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Ba e Pb. A partir da concentração de cada elemento foram obtidos os mapas de distribuição elementar da área de estudo para cada estação. A análise da correlação de Pearson mostrou que existe uma correlação significativa entre os elementos Fe, Zn, Ba e Pb, entre os elementos Ca e Sr e entre os elementos Cl, K, Rb. A análise do PCA (Análise por Componentes Principais) mostrou que existem dois fatores principais da emissão de poluição ambiental: emissão por ressuspensão do solo (Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Rb e Sr) e emissões veiculares e industriais (Fe, Zn, Ba e Pb). O estudo da poluição ambiental através da técnica de EDXRF utilizando folhas de Nerium oleander L. como biomonitor se mostrou uma técnica de baixo custo e eficiência substancial na determinação da concentração elementar dos poluentes atmosféricos.

Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Franciscanas from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Marine mammals accumulate heavy metals in their tissues at different concentrations according to trophic levels and environmental conditions. The franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) is a small coastal species inhabiting the marine and estuarine areas of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Its diet includes numerous species of small fish, squid and crustaceans. The aims of this study were to (i) assess the heavy metal concentration and burden distribution in different franciscana age classes and sex, and to (ii) evaluate both the accumulation processes and the transplacental transference of zinc, cadmium, copper and total mercury. Heavy metal concentrations (wet weight) were determined in eighteen dolphins by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), by the cold vapour technique (mercury) or with air/acetylene flame (cadmium, zinc and copper). Liver showed the highest concentrations of mercury (max. 8.8 mg/g), zinc (max. 29.7 mg/g) and copper (max. 19.0 mg/g), whereas the highest cadmium concentrations (max. 6.7 mg/g) were found in kidney. Adults contained the highest concentrations for all heavy metals, followed by juveniles and calves in decreasing order, suggesting an age-related accumulation. No differences (p<0.05) were found between sexes within each age class. Organ burden distribution followed the same pattern for all metals and age classes: liver tissues contained maximum burdens. Mercury concentrations were higher than those of cadmium in both foetuses and newborns; and neither metal could be detected in the foetus. The analysed data suggested differences in the placental transference between metals, being significant for mercury and almost null in the case of cadmium. We can conclude that franciscana accumulates heavy metals and, due to its coastal distribution, it may be considered as a biomonitor of its environment. SPANISH: Los mamíferos marinos acumulan metales pesados en sus tejidos cuyas concentraciones están en relación con su nivel trófico y las condiciones ambientales. La franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) es una especie costera que habita áreas marinas y estuariales en el Atlántico Sudoccidental. Su dieta está constituída por peces, como item alimentario principal, calamares y crustáceos. El objetivo del presente trabajo es estudiar la distribución de metales pesados en diferentes clases de edad y en ambos sexos, evaluando procesos de acumulación y cargas de cadmio, mercurio total, cinc y cobre. Las concentraciones de metales pesados (en peso húmedo) fueron determinadas en dieciocho delfines por Espectrofotometría de Absorción Atómica (EAA), usando la técnica de vapor frío (mercurio) o llama de aire/acetileno (cadmio, cinc y cobre). El hígado presentó las concentraciones más altas de mercurio (máx. 8,8 mg/g), cinc (máx. 29,7 mg/g) y cobre (máx. 19,0 mg/g), mientras que las más altas de cadmio (máx. 6,7 mg/g) fueron encontradas en el riñón. Los adultos presentaron los niveles más altos, presentando los juveniles y cachorros concentraciones menores, lo cual sugirió una acumulación con la edad. No se encontraron diferencias significativas (p < 0,05) entre sexos dentro de cada clase de edad. Las cargas de metales pesados en los órganos presentaron la misma disribución para todos los metales y clases de edad. Los valores más altos fueron encontrados en el hígado, incluyendo los correspondientes a cadmio. Las concentraciones de mercurio y cadmio fueron no detectables en el feto, mientras que las de mercurio fueron superiores a las de cadmio en los cachorros. Los datos encontrados en el feto sugieren una transferencia nula a través de la placenta. Podemos concluir que P.blainvillei acumula metales pesados en sus tejidos y debido a su distribución costera, esta especie puede ser considerada como un biomonitor de su ambiente.

Difterentially expressed genes of Tetrahymena thermophila in response to tributyltin (TBT) identified by suppression subtractive hybridization and real time quantitative PCR

Tributyltin (TBT) is widely used as antifouling paints, agriculture biocides, and plastic stabilizers around the world, resulting in great pollution problem in aquatic environments. However, it has been short of the biomonitor to detect TBT in freshwater. We constructed the suppression subtractive hybridization library of Tetrahymena thermophila exposed to TBT, and screened out 101 Expressed Sequence Tags whose expressions were significantly up- or down-regulated with TBT treatment. From this, a series of genes related to the TBT toxicity were discovered, such as glutathione-S-transferase gene (down-regulated), plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase isoforms 3 gene (up-regulated) and NgoA (up-regulated). Furthermore, their expressions under different concentrations of TBT treatment (0.5-40 ppb) were detected by real time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The differentially expressed genes of T thermophila in response to TBT were identified, which provide the basic to make Tetrahymena as a sensitive, rapid and convenient TBT biomonitor in freshwater based on rDNA inducible expression system. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

川西地区几种优势苔藓植株元素含量及其时空差异性

揭示苔藓植株元素含量及其时空差异性是深入开展利用苔藓植物指示环境和筛选理想监测藓种的科学基础。采用微波消解（ICP-AES）方法对九寨沟自然遗产地原始林景点停车场周围三个采样带：I为停车场植被小岛（PS），向外约120 m半径为II带（D120），再向外距离约1,000 m为III带（D1000）和3个方向上的大羽藓和毛尖青藓2种苔藓中13种元素（A1, S, Ca, P, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Pb, Ni,Zn和Cd）含量进行了测定和比较，并对采自边坡方向（PS-3）上2005和2007年的4种苔藓植物（南木藓、大羽藓、平藓和厚角絹藓）也进行了13种元素含量的测定和比较。同时对九寨沟自然遗产地、黄龙自然遗产地、夹金山和梦笔山的冷杉原始林4个地区的3种苔藓中（大羽藓、锦丝藓和塔藓）的A1、Ca、Cu、Fe、K、Mg、P、Zn、C和N 10种元素含量进行测定和比较。 对大羽藓和毛尖青藓2种苔藓植物内13种元素的测定发现：1）同种苔藓对不同元素的富集能力不同。A1、Ca、K、Mg和P的元素含量在苔藓中的富集较其他元素的要高。2）不同种苔藓植物对同种元素的富集能力不同，毛尖青藓较大羽藓能够监测出更多的元素；对于被检测出的元素，毛尖青藓监测出的累积量大于大羽藓，其中累积量最大的元素是Ca为10 874.286 μg.g-1.year-1，最小的是Cu元素为5.438 μg.g-1.year-1。对05年和07年的平藓、大羽藓、南木藓和厚角絹藓元素含量的测定表明：元素在两年中的积累量是不同的。综合分析表明，苔藓生物监测方法可有效监测景点停车场机动车尾气中排放出的典型元素（如Cu、Pb、Ni、Zn、Cd等）含量，而毛尖青藓较大羽藓能更可靠的监测九寨沟自然遗产地单景点汽车尾气金属元素种类及其排放量。 对4个地区3种苔藓10种元素监测发现：1）Ca、Mg、Zn、K和Cu元素在黄龙地区的含量高于在其它地区的含量；P元素在梦笔山地区的含量为最高；Fe和Al元素在夹金山地区的含量高于在其它地区的含量。2）C元素在其它因素一致的情况下，进行不同年龄间的元素含量比较，结果显示元素含量在各年龄间并不存在明显的差异性；N元素含量与年龄的差异出现在黄龙林下及林窗的塔藓、九寨沟林下的锦丝藓及塔藓和梦笔山的塔藓中，而在锦丝藓中未出现元素含量与年龄的差异性；塔藓能检测出更多的元素种类其含量与年龄间存在显著差异，锦丝藓检测到的元素种类次之；除锦丝藓（锦丝藓在林窗中几乎检测不到元素含量与年龄间的差异性）外，其他两种藓在林窗中能检测出的元素种类大于在林下的检测种类。3）元素含量与生境间存在差异性的元素分别有：黄龙大羽藓中的Ca、P和Mg元素；九寨锦丝藓中的Zn元素；夹金山塔藓中的Al、Fe和Zn元素；梦笔山大羽藓中的Al、Fe和Mg元素及锦丝藓中的Ca元素。4）区域、年龄和生境因素对苔藓植株元素含量均达到了显著水平，但两两之间及三者之间的交互作用由于元素种类的不同存在差异。综合分析表明，苔藓植物中的元素含量受年龄、区域的影响较生境的更大。 The revelation of mosses elements content and its spatiotemporal differences is the scientific foundation of moss monitoring. To determine the feasibility of moss monitoring metal depositions derived from travel bus emiss ions in scenic spot, we collected one year-growth samples of two mosses Brachythecim piligerum and Thuidium cymbifolium with different distance (island center, 120m，1000m ) and different direction (north, south and east) far from parking site island from Yuanshilin Spot at Jiuzhaigou World Nature Heritage in the Western Sichuan of China and determined thirteen element （A1, S, Ca, P, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cd）contents by ICP-AES analysis method. And picked 4 kinds of mosses (Macrothamnium macrocarpu m（Reinw. etHornsch.）Fleisch.，Thuidium cymbifolium，Entodon concinnus (De Not.) Par., Neckera pennata) from the direction PS-3 in 2005 and 2007, determined 13 element contents. Collected 3 kinds of moss (Thuidium cymbifo lium, Actinothuidium Hookeri (Mitt.) and Hyolcomium splendens (Hedw.) from Jiuzhaigou natural heritage, Huanglong natural heritage, Mt. Jiajin and Mt. Mengbi in primeval forest with two habitat (undergrowth and forest gap), determined element contents of A1, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, P, Zn, C and N. We found that, 1) The elements content are difference in same type of moss. Content of A1, Ca, K, Mg and P are higher than others. 2) While the contents of A1, S, Ca, P, Cu, Fe, K and Zn had significant correlation with the different distances from parking site, the nearer the distance was, the more accumulation was; 2) Comparing to Thuidium cymbifolium, Brachythecium piligerum can test more elements which contents show the significant correlation with distances. And Brachythecium piligerum can have greater element accumulation than Thuidium cymbifolium. The element contents in two years (2005 and 2007) are different. The present study found that moss can reliably bio-indicate metal deposition from traffic emissions in one scenic spot and Brachythecium piligerum is a good moss for bio-indicating element content from traffic emissions at Jiuzhaigou World natural Heritage. Determined the 10 element contents in 4 areas through 3 kinds of moss we found that, 1) Ca, Mg, Zn, K and Cu element content is higher in the Huanglong area than in other areas, The P element content in Mt. Jiajin is higher than other areas, Fe and Al element content is higher in the Mt. Jiajin than in other areas. 2) The content of C had no significant correlation with age. As for N, this significant correlation found in Hyolcomium splendens (Hedw.) with 2 habitat in Huanglong, Actinothuidium Hookeri (Mitt.) and Hyolcomium splendens (Hedw.) with undergrowth in Jiuzhai, Hyolcomium splendens (Hedw.) in Mt. Mengbi. The types of elements which content showt he significant correlation are most in Hyolcomium splendens (Hedw.) and least in Thuidium cymbifolium. Except Actinothuidium Hookeri (Mitt.), the types of elements that content had significant correlation with age in forest gap are more than in undergrowth. 3) The elements which content had significant correlation with habitat are P, Ca and Mg in Thuidium cymbifolium in Huanglong, Zn in Actinothuidium Hookeri (Mitt.) in Jiuzhai, Al, Fe and Zn in Hyolcomium splendens (Hedw.) in Mt. Jiajin, in Mt. Mengbi Al, Fe and Mg in Thuidium cymbifolium and Ca in Actinothuidium Hookeri (Mitt.). 4）The region, the age and the habitat factor has coeffect element content. The correlationship between element contents and the age, the region is closer than habitat.

Investigation of heavy metals in sediments and Manila clams Ruditapes philippinarum from Jiaozhou Bay, China

Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) and sediments were collected bimonthly during 2007 at five locations in Jiaozhou Bay near Qingdao, China, to determine heavy metal concentrations and to assess the validation of R. philippinarum as a metal biomonitor. Concentrations of heavy metals in clam soft tissues ranged between 0.75 and 3.31, 0.89 and 15.20, 5.70 and 26.03, 52.12 and 110.33, 10.30 and 72.34, 9.64 and 28.60, and 3.15 and 52.75 mu g g (-aEuro parts per thousand 1) dry weight for Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, and Ni, respectively. Most of the highest values occurred at the northeast bay and the lowest values occurred at the western part. Regarding seasonal variation, relatively high tissue metal concentrations were observed during October or December. A similar pattern was also found in habitat sediments. There was a strong correlation between the concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, Mn, Cr, and Ni in soft tissues and surrounding sediments. It is indicated that R. philippinarum could be used as a biomonitor for heavy metal contamination in Jiaozhou Bay.