ALBERT

Description:    The occurrence of organohalogenated compounds including major persistent chlorinated pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and DDT and its metabolites, brominated flame retardants (BFRs), represented by polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), together with currently widely discussed perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), mainly perfluorooctane sulfonic acid was monitored in several fish species collected from Czech rivers. Eleven sampling locations in highly industrialized areas were chosen. In addition, wild species of 14 farmed fish (grown in dedicated ponds) were also analysed. With respect to the contamination in different areas, chlorinated chemicals were dominant. PCBs and DDTs ranged from 4.8 to 211 and 2 to 791 μg/kg wet weight, respectively. Concentrations of BFRs and PFCs were significantly lower and ranged from 0.6 to 10.2 and 0.9 to 62 μg/kg wet weight, respectively. The highest levels of target analyte groups were found in fish muscle tissue in localities situated on the lower part of the Elbe River: Levels of DDT, HCB, PBDEs, and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) were as high as 791, 77.6, 14.4 and 193 μg/kg wet weight, respectively, in Usti nad Labem and in the sample originated from the confluence of Elbe with Bilina River; a sum of PCBs at a level of 211 μg/kg was detected. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9681-z Authors Petra Hrádková, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis, Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic Jana Pulkrabová, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis, Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic Kamila Kalachová, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis, Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic Veronika Hloušková, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis, Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic Monika Tomaniová, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis, Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic Jan Poustka, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis, Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic Jana Hajšlová, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis, Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    Residue dynamics of thiacloprid in cabbage and soil was studied in this paper utilizing liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The field trial was conducted in two sites: Beijing, China and Hubei, China. Thiacloprid dissipated rapidly with the half-life 1.3–1.6 days in cabbage and 2.1–3.1 days in soil. In the terminal residue experiment, no higher residue than 0.06 mg/kg in cabbage and 0.16 mg/kg in soil was detected, which was far below either EU MRL (0.2 mg/kg) or Japan MRL (1 mg/kg). Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0326-8 Authors Chen Wang, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 People’s Republic of China Wen-bi Guan, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 People’s Republic of China Hong-yan Zhang, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 People’s Republic of China Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    A survey of various pesticide contaminations was performed for water in Yanamune River flowing into Lake Biwa from 1988 to 2009. Ten pesticides (diazinon and fenitrothion as insecticides, iprobenfos and isoprothiolane as fungicides and chlornitrofen, thiobencarb, molinate, bromobutide, simetryne and pretilachlor as herbicides) were selected and concentration changes of the pesticides were evaluated based on their shipment amounts. Yearly maximum concentrations of eight of the pesticides in Yanamune River water were compared with their no observed effect concentration and their predicted no effect concentration values and initial ecological risk assessment was conducted for five pesticides (diazinon, fenitrothion, iprobenfos, isoprothiolane and thiobencarb) by their predicted no effect concentration values. All of the diazinon (0.01–0.28 μg/L) and fenitrothion (0.005–0.31 μg/L) concentrations from 1988 to 2007, the iprobenfos (2.7 and 2.4 μg/L) concentrations in 1988 and 1990 and the thiobencarb (0.24–2.7 μg/L) concentrations in 1988, 1992, 1993 and 1995 exceeded their predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) (0.00026, 0.00021, 1.0 and 0.17 μg/L) values. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0335-7 Authors T. Tsuda, Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute, 5-34 Yanagasaki, Ohtsu, Shiga, 520-0022 Japan T. Igawa, Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute, 5-34 Yanagasaki, Ohtsu, Shiga, 520-0022 Japan K. Tanaka, Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute, 5-34 Yanagasaki, Ohtsu, Shiga, 520-0022 Japan D. Hirota, Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute, 5-34 Yanagasaki, Ohtsu, Shiga, 520-0022 Japan Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Concentration, source, and risk of PAHs were investigated in 31 sites from surface soils of Liaohe estuarine wetland. Total PAHs concentrations ranged from 293.4 to 1735.9 ng/g with a mean of 675.4 ng/g. The 3- and 4-ring PAHs were the dominant species. The ratios of high-molecular weight PAHs to low-molecular weight PAHs and anthracene/(anthracene+phenanthrene) were calculated to apportion sources of PAHs. It was found that both pyrogenic and petrogenic PAHs sources were important. Effect range low and effect range median showed that the PAHs would occasionally cause adverse effects. The nemerow composite index revealed that about 41.9% soil sampling sites were safety; about 58.1% sites had different grades of PAHs pollution. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0343-7 Authors Nannan Wang, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100 China Yinhai Lang, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100 China Fangfang Cheng, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100 China Minjie Wang, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100 China Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Concentrations of butyltin compounds (BTs) were determined in 47 species of seafood commonly consumed in Korea to investigate intakes of BTs from seafood consumption and the potential health risks to the Korean population. The concentrations of BTs (the sum of dibutyltin and tributyltin) in seafood ranged from less than the limit of detection to 96.3 ng/g wet weight, which are levels similar to those reported for other countries. The intake of BTs from seafood consumption by the general population was estimated to be 17.2 ng/kg body weight/day. Fish accounted for 50% of the total intakes of BT, and the next contributor was cephalopods (26%). The estimated intakes for males and females were 18.6 and 15.7 ng/ kg body weight/day, respectively. Among the age groups investigated, children (〈2 years and 3–6 years) had higher intakes of BTs compared with adults. The estimated intake of BTs for Korean population groups was 5–8% of the tolerable daily intake of 250 ng/ kg body weight/day set by the European Food Safety Authority. Our results suggest that the Korean population is not expected to exceed the threshold value for adverse health effects. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9688-5 Authors Minkyu Choi, Marine Environment Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), 152-1, Haean-ro, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, 619-705 Republic of Korea Hyo-Bang Moon, Department of Environmental Marine Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, 426-791 Republic of Korea Hee-Gu Choi, Marine Environment Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), 152-1, Haean-ro, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, 619-705 Republic of Korea Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    Copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) in soft tissues of male and female burrowing crab Neohelice granulate , as well as their eggs, were measured in two different locations in the Bahía Blanca estuary, a moderately polluted ecosystem, from October 2008 to August 2009. Differences between sexes, sites, and seasonality were assessed. Furthermore, metal levels in eggs were compared with metal levels in female crabs. The results showed no significant differences for Cu and Cd between sexes (Student t test p  〉 0.25 for both sites) and sites (two-way analysis of variance: Cu p  = 0.82 and Cd p  = 0.29). Nevertheless, seasonality was found, with winter having significantly lower concentrations for both metals. The range of Cu concentrations was between 96.92 and 152.18 μg g −1 dry weight (dw), and the range of Cd concentrations was between 6.09 and 10.41 μg g −1  dw. Cr concentrations could not be assessed because most of the values were lower than the detection limit. Although heavy metals in sediments were not measured in this study, a bioaccumulation process may be occurring for Cd because levels found during the entire sampling period were greater than levels in sediment from previous years. For Cu, a regulation process may be occurring considering that this is an essential metal and levels of Cu in N. granulata found in this study were between 1 and 2 orders of magnitude greater than levels in sediments. Finally, Cu and Cd levels in eggs were detectable, but they were lower than levels in female crabs. The importance of these findings is linked to the fact that metal accumulation seems to be occurring before hatch. The presence of heavy metals in soft tissues as well as in eggs of N. granulata is of great importance considering that this is a key species within the Bahía Blanca estuary; therefore, it plays a major role in the transference of pollutants to greater trophic levels. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9692-9 Authors Pía Simonetti, Área de Oceanografía Química, Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía, CCT-CONICET, Camino La Carrindanga, km 7.5, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina Sandra Elizabeth Botté, Área de Oceanografía Química, Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía, CCT-CONICET, Camino La Carrindanga, km 7.5, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina Sandra Marcela Fiori, Área de Oceanografía Biológica, Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía, CCT-CONICET, Camino La Carrindanga, km 7.5, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina Jorge Eduardo Marcovecchio, Área de Oceanografía Química, Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía, CCT-CONICET, Camino La Carrindanga, km 7.5, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    The acute, lethal potency of the 1,2,3,4-, 1,2,4,5- and 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene isomers was compared in the terrestrial and aquatic oligochaetes Eisenia andrei and Tubifex tubifex . 1,2,4,5-TeCB was neither lethal, nor produced any perceptible adverse effects, at lipid normalized concentrations predicted to be lethal according to the well-established critical body residue concept. If a narcotic is defined as a substance capable of inducing narcosis, rather than a substance displaying certain physical or chemical properties (e.g., log K ow ), then we do not believe these findings challenge the critical body residue because by the former definition, 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene is not a narcotic. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0329-5 Authors Christopher M. Hurdzan, Environmental Science Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, 469 Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA Roman P. Lanno, Environmental Science Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, 469 Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA David M. Sovic, Environmental Science Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, 469 Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    This study, some metals (zinc, copper, lead and cadmium) were analyzed in liver, muscle and gills of Sander lucioperca (Linnaeus, 1758) caught from the Hirfanlı Dam Lake in December 2007. The highest concentrations were found in liver (zinc:32.5 μg/g, lead:10.73 μg/g, copper:5.85 μg/g, cadmium:0.76 μg/g) of Sander lucioperca . It was seen that the accumulation of zinc, lead and cadmium primarily took place in liver followed by muscles and gills. It was observed that copper is mainly accumulated in liver followed by gill and mucsles. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-3 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0350-8 Authors Ali Gül, Gazi Education Faculty, Department of Science Education, Gazi University, Teknikokullar, 06500 Ankara, Turkey Mehmet Yılmaz, Gazi Education Faculty, Department of Science Education, Gazi University, Teknikokullar, 06500 Ankara, Turkey Semra Benzer, Gazi Education Faculty, Department of Science Education, Gazi University, Teknikokullar, 06500 Ankara, Turkey Lütfiye Taşdemir, Gazi Education Faculty, Department of Science Education, Gazi University, Teknikokullar, 06500 Ankara, Turkey Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Roundup is the most popular commercial glyphosate formulation applied in the cultivation of genetically modified glyphosate-resistant crops. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histological lesions of the neotropical native fish, Jenynsia multidentata , in response to acute and subchronic exposure to Roundup and to determine if subchronic exposure to the herbicide causes changes in male sexual activity of individuals exposed to a sublethal concentration (0.5 mg/l) for 7 and 28 days. The estimated 96-h LC 50 was 19.02 mg/l for both male and female fish. Gill and liver histological lesions were evaluated through histopathological indices allowing quantification of the histological damages in fish exposed to different concentrations of the herbicide. Roundup induced different histological alterations in a concentration-dependent manner. In subchronic-exposure tests, Roundup also altered normal histology of the studied organs and caused a significant decrease in the number of copulations and mating success in male fish exposed to the herbicide. It is expected that in natural environments contaminated with Roundup, both general health condition and reproductive success of J. multidenatata could be seriously affected. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9686-7 Authors Andrea Cecilia Hued, Laboratory of Animal Diversity II, Faculty of Exact, Physical, and Natural Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sársfield 299, CP 5000 Córdoba, Argentina Sabrina Oberhofer, Laboratory of Animal Diversity II, Faculty of Exact, Physical, and Natural Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sársfield 299, CP 5000 Córdoba, Argentina María de los Ángeles Bistoni, Laboratory of Animal Diversity II, Faculty of Exact, Physical, and Natural Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sársfield 299, CP 5000 Córdoba, Argentina Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    Agricultural land use may influence macroinvertebrate communities by way of pesticide contamination associated with agricultural runoff. However, information about the relation between runoff-related pesticides and communities of benthic macroinvertebrates in stormwater wetland that receive agricultural runoff does not currently exist. Here we show changes in macroinvertebrates communities of a stormwater wetland that collects pesticide-contaminated runoff from a vineyard catchment. Sixteen runoff-associated pesticides, including the insecticide flufenoxuron, were continuously quantified at the inlet of the stormwater wetland from April to September (period of pesticide application). In parallel, benthic macroinvertebrate communities, pesticide concentrations, and physicochemical parameters in the wetland were assessed twice a month. Twenty-eight contaminated runoffs ranging from 1.1 to 114 m 3 entered the wetland during the study period. Flufenoxuron concentrations in runoff-suspended solids ranged from 1.5 to 18.5 μg kg −1 and reached 6 μg kg −1 in the wetland sediments. However, flufenoxuron could not be detected in water. The density, diversity, and abundance of macroinvertebrates largely varied over time. Redundancy and formal concept analyses showed that concentrations of flufenoxuron, vegetation cover, and flow conditions significantly determine the community structures of stormwater wetland macroinvertebrates. This study shows that flow conditions, vegetation cover, and runoff-related pesticides jointly affect communities of benthic macroinvertebrates in stormwater wetlands. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9687-6 Authors Sylvain Martin, Laboratory of Hydrology and Geochemistry of Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg/ENGEES, UMR 7515 CNRS 1, rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg, France Aurélie Bertaux, Laboratory of Hydrology and Geochemistry of Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg/ENGEES, UMR 7515 CNRS 1, rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg, France Florence Le Ber, Laboratory of Hydrology and Geochemistry of Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg/ENGEES, UMR 7515 CNRS 1, rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg, France Elodie Maillard, Laboratory of Hydrology and Geochemistry of Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg/ENGEES, UMR 7515 CNRS 1, rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg, France Gwenaël Imfeld, Laboratory of Hydrology and Geochemistry of Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg/ENGEES, UMR 7515 CNRS 1, rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg, France Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    Fifty-five bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from seven different sources. Eight isolates were found to produce pediocin PA-1 like bacteriocin as detected by ped B gene PCR and dot-blot hybridization. The culture filtrate (CF) activity of these isolates exhibited strong antilisterial, antibacterial activity against tested food-borne pathogens and LAB. The identification and genetic diversity among the selected LAB was performed by conventional morphological and molecular tools like RFLP, RAPD, and 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The isolates were identified as, 1 each of Pediococcus acidilactici Cb1, Lactobacillus plantarum Acr2, and Streptococcus equinus AC1, 2 were of P. pentosaceus Cb4 and R38, and other 3 were Enterococcus faecium Acr4, BL1, V3. Partial characterization of the bacteriocins revealed that the peptide was heat-stable, active at acidic to alkaline pH, inactivated by proteolytic enzymes, and had molecular weight around 4.6 kDa and shared the properties of class IIa pediocin-family. The bacteriocin production at different temperatures, pH, and salt concentrations was studied to investigate the optimal condition for application of these isolates as a starter culture or as a biopreservative in either acidic or non-acidic foods. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-9963-8 Authors S. Manjulata Devi, Department of Food Microbiology, CFTRI, Mysore, India Prakash M. Halami, Department of Food Microbiology, CFTRI, Mysore, India Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    The ability of the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes to develop biofilm in food-processing environment is a major concern for the food safety, because biofilms allow bacteria to better resist environmental stresses. PrfA is a key transcriptional activator that positively regulates most of the known listerial virulence gene expression. In order to explore the role of PrfA on Listeria biofilm development, we compared the abilities of biofilm formation by L. monocytogenes wild type strains (EGD and EGDe) and their prfA deletion mutants (EGD∆ prfA and EGDe∆ prfA ), nonpathogenic Listeria innocua , as well as the recombinant strains that express constitutively active mutant PrfA (PrfA*) in L. innocua (LI-pERL3- prfA *) and in EGDe∆ prfA (EGDe∆ prfA -pERL3- prfA *) at 37°C in brain heart infusion (BHI) medium using the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microtiter plate assay and microscopic examination. Our results showed that the wild types of L. monocytogenes had strong abilities to develop biofilm with meshwork of bacterial aggregates, while biofilm with sparse small clumps were observed in L. innocua . The biofilm production of strains EGD∆ prfA and EGDe∆ prfA that lack funtional PrfA was reduced and could be recovered by the introduction of the PrfA*, however, the PrfA* had no impact on the biofilm forming ability of L. innocua . Our results suggest that PrfA plays a significant role in biofilm formation in L. monocytogenes but not in L. innocua , thus may reflect differences in the molecular mechanisms of biofilm formation by these two closely related species. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-9964-7 Authors Qingchun Zhou, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, College of Life Science, Central China Normal University, Luo Yu Road 152, Wuhan, 430079 People’s Republic of China Feifei Feng, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, College of Life Science, Central China Normal University, Luo Yu Road 152, Wuhan, 430079 People’s Republic of China Li Wang, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, College of Life Science, Central China Normal University, Luo Yu Road 152, Wuhan, 430079 People’s Republic of China Xiaoqin Feng, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, College of Life Science, Central China Normal University, Luo Yu Road 152, Wuhan, 430079 People’s Republic of China Xiaojiao Yin, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, College of Life Science, Central China Normal University, Luo Yu Road 152, Wuhan, 430079 People’s Republic of China Qin Luo, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, College of Life Science, Central China Normal University, Luo Yu Road 152, Wuhan, 430079 People’s Republic of China Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    Before and after switching to the advanced treatment, a total of 48 trihalomethanes measurements was made at household taps in the specific distribution area in Osaka City, Japan. An average of total trihalomethanes concentrations in advanced treated water was three-fifths of that in conventionally treated water. The average lifetime cancer risks for total trihalomethanes were 48.5 × 10 −6 in conventionally treated water and 44.8 × 10 −6 in advanced treated water, which were higher than 10 −6 , the negligible risk level. Surprisingly, the average lifetime cancer risk of conventionally treated water was not significantly different from that of advanced treated water. The highest value of hazard index found was an order of magnitude lower than unity. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0321-0 Authors Kohji Yamamoto, Osaka City Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences, 8-34 Tojo-cho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka, 543-0026 Japan Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    In the autumn of 2010 an industrial red sludge spill occurred in Hungary. The toxic chemical waste with high alkalinity (pH 13.5) reached the Danube 2 days later, where no change was expected because of the high level of dilution. The planktonic rotifer assemblages of the Danube were investigated at Budapest during the contamination. The median of community density decreased from 500 ind. 100 L −1 to zero, the species richness from 3.00 to 0.00, Shannon–Weaver diversity from 1.10 to 0.00 after the arrival of the contamination. The rotifer assemblages seemed to have recovered after 3 weeks, but the initial levels of diversity and density were not reached again. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0331-y Authors Károly Schöll, Danube Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Alkotmány str. 2-4, 2163 Vácrátót, Hungary Gergely Szövényi, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University of Science, Pázmány P. sétány 1/c, 1117 Budapest, Hungary Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    The objective of this study was to estimate the total etoxazole residues balance (residue in pods, leaves and soil under the treated plant) in green bean and for identification of the degradative metabolites of etoxazole in soil under the treated plant. The results showed half life (t 1/2 ) values of 3.13, 2.73 and 2.11 days for etoxazole in green bean pods, leaves and soil, respectively. According to the maximum residue limits (MRL) the pre harvest intervals (PHI) of etoxazole on green bean pods was 4-days after the treatment. The results of GC–Ms analysis of soil extracts under the treated plant showed that, at zero time unchanged etoxazole was found. The proportion of etoxazole in soil extracts detected decreased with the time. GC–Ms analysis of soil extracts show the presence of compound having the formula of C 14 H 23 NO 2 which was suggested to be 2-amino-2(4-tert-butyl-2-ethoxyphenyl) ethanol. The other founded compound has the formula C 13 H 18 O 3 and suggested to be 4-tert-butyl-2-ethoxybenzoic acid. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0336-6 Authors Farag Malhat, Department of Pesticide Residues and Environmental Pollution, Central Agricultural Pesticide Laboratory, Agriculture Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt Amal Hassan, Department of Pesticide Residues and Environmental Pollution, Central Agricultural Pesticide Laboratory, Agriculture Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Variation in metal contamination in six species of birds, namely the Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax carbo ), Cattle Egret ( Bubulcus ibis ), Little Egret ( Egretta garzetta ), Pond Heron ( Ardeola grayii ), Common Myna ( Acridotheres tristis ) and Jungle Babbler ( Turdoides striatus ) in Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu, India. The accumulation of heavy metals differed among the species studied. On an average, Little Egret accumulated high concentrations of copper (53.31 ± 23.19 ppm) followed by Cattle Egret (16.27 ± 9.83 ppm) in liver. Of all the species, Jungle Babbler recorded the maximum concentrations (20.59 ± 9.07 ppm) in muscle. The Pond Heron recorded the maximum concentration (35.38 ± 11.14 ppm) in brain. On an average the maximum level was in the kidney of Common Myna (7.76 ± 1.80 ppm). Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0323-y Authors R. Jayakumar, GITAM University, Hyderabad Campus, Rudraram, Medak, Andhra Pradesh 502 329, India S. Muralidharan, Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641 108, India Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Natural wild-type strains of Bacillus subtilis spore is regarded as a non-pathogenic for both human and animal, and has been classified as a novel food which is currently being used as probiotics added in the consumption. To identify B. subtilis spore proteins, we have accomplished a preliminary proteomic analysis of B. subtilis spore, with a combination of two-dimensional electrophoretic separations and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization tandem time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF–MS). In this article, we presented a reference map of 158 B. subtilis spore proteins with an isoelectric point (pI) between 4 and 7. Followed by mass spectrometry (MS) analysis, we identified 71 B. subtilis spore proteins with high level of confidence. Database searches, combined with hydropathy analysis and GO analysis revealed that most of the B. subtilis spore proteins were hydrophilic proteins related to catalytic function. These results should accelerate efforts to understand the resistance of spore to harsh conditions. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-9967-4 Authors Langyong Mao, Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, 301# Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013 Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China Shantong Jiang, Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, 301# Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013 Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China Bin Wang, Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, 301# Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013 Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China Liang Chen, School of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, 29# Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064 Sichuan, People’s Republic of China Qin Yao, Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, 301# Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013 Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China Keping Chen, Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, 301# Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013 Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    A fruity aroma-producing strain WG4 was isolated from a water sample collected from the Western Ghats, India. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain WG4 indicated that Chryseobacterium indologenes , a member of the family ‘Flavobacteriaceae’ is the closest related species with a pair-wise sequence similarity of 98.6%. Strain WG4 produces a fruity aroma when grown on nutrient or trypticase soy agar plates. The fruity aroma is more when the strain WG4 is grown on agar plates compared to their growth in broth. The aromatic compounds produced by the strain WG4 were identified as ester compounds and were confirmed as ethyl-2-methylbutyrate and ethyl-3-methylbutyrate based on Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis and using standard reference compounds. Even after repeated subcultures strain WG4 produced the same aroma in high intensity. Thus, strain WG4 could serve as a source for the production of these flavour compounds. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-9966-5 Authors P. Anil Kumar, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad, 500 007 India T. N. R. Srinivas, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad, 500 007 India A. R. Prasad, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad, 500 007 India S. Shivaji, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad, 500 007 India Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    We studied chronic fluoride intoxication in 10 villages of Udaipur receiving F emissions from phosphate fertilizer factories. Although fluoride remained below permissible limit in most of the drinking water samples, the incidence of fluorosis in adults as well as in children was surprisingly high. Khemli appeared to be the most affected village (with 〉48% cases) where, about 93% of 2 h air samples contained fluoride above 2.0 μg m −3 and crops and vegetable F ranged from 27.5 to 143.4 μg g −1 . Concentrations of fluoride and inorganic P in urine showed asynchrony and were well linked with prevalence of fluorosis. The study indicated that air-borne fluoride was the major factor for higher prevalence of fluorosis in these rural areas. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0344-6 Authors J. Pandey, Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005 India U. Pandey, Faculty of Science and Technology, MG Kashividyapith University, Varanasi, 221001 India Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    This study reports the first detection of Wolbachia and yeast-like symbiont (YLS) harbored in Kerria lacca (Kerr), a scale insect, latter of which produces an economically important natural resin, known as lac. Wolbachia was detected using PCR amplification and sequencing of 16S rDNA; and further confirmation and phylogenetic analysis was carried out by fast evolving wsp gene. Neighbor-joining and maximum parsimonious (MP) analysis showed that this strain belongs to subgroup “ori” of Wolbachia super group B of arthropods. Wolbachia of K . lacca is hereby designated as “ w Kerlac” according to Wolbachia nomenclature system. Histological study revealed the presence of yeast-like endosymbiont, which was also confirmed by PCR amplification of 18S rDNA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that YLS of K . lacca is quite distinct from YLS of aphid, planthoppers, and beetles. Putative roles of Wolbachia in lecanoid chromosome system of sex determination and in biased sex ratio of K . lacca populations; and YLS in nutritional supplementation and detoxifying substances which are deleterious to K . lacca , are hereby, suggested. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-9961-x Authors Amit Vashishtha, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007 India K. K. Sharama, Indian Institute of Natural Resin and Gum (IINRG), Namkum, Ranchi, India Suman Lakhanpaul, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007 India Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    The genus Asaia (family Acetobacteraceae) was first introduced with a single species— Asaia bogorensis and later six more species were described namely A . siamensis , A . krungthepensis , A . lannaensis , A . platycodi , A . prunellae , and A . astilbes. Acetobacteraceae family has been divided into ten genera but, only three of them include nitrogen fixing species: Gluconacetobacter , Acetobacter , and Swaminathania . This article originated from our study primarily aimed to isolate new endosymbiotic nitrogen fixer among Acetobacteraceae during which we have isolated, for the first time in India, four different strains of Asaia sp. from three different sources: Michalia champaca flower, Anopheles mosquito, and ant Tetraponera rufonigra . All the endosymbiotic strains isolated possess the ability to fix nitrogen. Evidence for both nitrogenase activity and the presence of nifH gene in isolated Asaia sp. is presented. Asaia bogorensis (MTCC 4041 T ) and A . siamensis (MTCC 4042 T ), two of the validated type strains available from the repository, were tested positive for the presence of functional nitrogenase. The nifH gene sequences from these type strains were also confirmed and compared with other nitrogen fixing members of the family Acetobacteraceae. Our result corroborate with the previous reports that Asaia sp. are indeed widely distributed in nature but this is the first time demonstration of their functional nitrogenase activity. This study shows Asaia sp. as fourth genera of nitrogen fixing bacteria in the family Acetobacteraceae. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-9968-3 Authors Neeloy Samaddar, Department of Life Science & Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India Arundhati Paul, Department of Life Science & Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India Somnath Chakravorty, Department of Life Science & Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India Writachit Chakraborty, Department of Life Science & Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India Joydeep Mukherjee, School of Environmental Studies, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India Debarati Chowdhuri, Department of Life Science & Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India Ratan Gachhui, Department of Life Science & Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    As a consequence of offshore drilling, used Water Based Drilling Muds (WBMs) are typically disposed off, by discharging into the sea; such a disposal does not fully eliminate the environmental hazards. Hence, in this study, 2, 3, 4 and 5 ringed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs i.e. naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, chrysene and benzo (a) pyrene) were determined from the WBMs and associated drill cuttings obtained from varying depths(viz. 150, 300 and 600 m) from three offshore wells present in East coast of India. In both WBMs and drill cuttings, concentration of naphthalene was maximum i.e. 81.59 ± 2.73 and 39.87 ± 2.40 mg/kg respectively, while benzo (a) pyrene was minimum i.e. 0.19 ± 0.07 and 0.12 ± 0.03 mg/kg respectively. The WBMs contained significantly ( p  〈 0.05) higher PAH concentration than drill cuttings. The individual PAH concentration significantly ( p  〈 0.01) increased with increasing depth in each well. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0340-x Authors Devaanshi Jagwani, EIRA Division, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, 440020 India Atul Kulkarni, DataSol Consultancy, 44-A, Hill Road, Nagpur, India Parth Shukla, Laboratory at Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd., Indore, India Dilip S. Ramteke, EIRA Division, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, 440020 India Harjeet D. Juneja, Department of Chemistry, RTMNU, Nagpur, 440033 India Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    In the light of the alarming decline of the European eel ( Anguilla anguilla L.) population, there is an urgent need to define ecological indicators for eel habitat quality. Due to an increasing shortage of glass eels available for local stock enhancement, the decision of whether restocking is a valuable management tool to increase high-quality silver eel escapement to the sea needs to be evaluated. Organic contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are among the major threats to fish in their habitat. Therefore, the aim of the investigation presented here was to examine metabolites of PAHs in eel bile as one possible marker for habitat quality. In total, 170 yellow eels were collected in the rivers Rhine, Ems, Weser, Elbe, Havel, Schlei, Eider, Trave, Warnow, Peene, Uecker, and Oder in 2009. PAH metabolites in eel bile were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Metabolites of pyrene and phenanthrene were investigated. Concentrations of PAH metabolites in eel bile varied significantly between several rivers, with the highest mean concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene and 1-hydroxyphenanthrene in eel bile from the river Trave (2421 and 632 ng/ml). Moreover, huge differences in the ratio of 1-hydroxypyrene to 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, with the highest mean value in eel bile from the river Ems (7.43) and the lowest mean value in eel bile from the river Uecker (0.70), indicate different sources of PAH contamination. A comparative analysis of PAH-metabolite contamination of eels in different river systems is seen as a first step toward a classification of freshwater habitats for restocking purposes. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9693-8 Authors F. Nagel, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Palmaille 9, 22767 Hamburg, Germany U. Kammann, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Palmaille 9, 22767 Hamburg, Germany C. Wagner, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, Warnemünde, Seestraße 15, 18119 Rostock, Germany R. Hanel, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Palmaille 9, 22767 Hamburg, Germany Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    The undesirable effects of green revolution include residues of extensively used pesticides in various food commodities. Several studies showed that pesticides could cause health problems. Keeping in view the problem of pesticide residues in various food commodities, the present study was conducted on domestic stored wheat as well as on imported wheat for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of organochlorine, organophosphorus and pyrethroids. Among the imported wheat, 22.5% samples were found contaminated by organophosphorus (chlorpyrifos 0.073–0.230 μg/g, malathion 0.0419–0.1003 μg/g) and pyrethroids (cypermethrin 0.1404–0.2005 μg/g, permethrin 0.0140–0.0480 μg/g) while in domestic wheat 6.7% samples were found contaminated by pyrethroids (deltamethrin 0.0650–1.2903 μg/g) only. Method used for extraction and analysis of insecticides was validated both by recovery studies and inter laboratory comparison proficiency test. The method recovery results show that the average recovery of the fortified wheat samples was in the range of 73.77%–100.17% with the RSD in the range of 2.21–9.27 whereas, the Z-scores of the inter laboratory comparison proficiency test’s result was less than 2. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0325-9 Authors Riazuddin, Grain Quality Testing Laboratory, Southern zone Agricultural Research Centre, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Karachi University Campus, Karachi, 75270 Pakistan Muhammad Farhanullah Khan, Department of Zoology, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270 Pakistan Sajid Iqbal, Grain Quality Testing Laboratory, Southern zone Agricultural Research Centre, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Karachi University Campus, Karachi, 75270 Pakistan Muhammad Abbas, Grain Quality Testing Laboratory, Southern zone Agricultural Research Centre, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Karachi University Campus, Karachi, 75270 Pakistan Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Acute toxicity tests with Cd, Pb, Hg, and methyl parathion were developed to compare the sensitivity of the rotifer Euchlanis dilatata with other model organisms used in aquatic ecotoxicology. Cd was the most toxic chemical (LC50 = 14.8 μg L −1 ), while methyl parathion was the least toxic (LC50 = 864.2 μg L −1 ). E. dilatata was more sensitive that other rotifer species, particularly of the genera Brachionus and Lecane. However, E. dilatata was less sensitive to mercury and methyl parathion than the crustacean, Daphnia magna . The high sensitivity of E. dilatata suggests that it may be an adequate benthic model to use in toxicity assessments of metal-contaminated sediments. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0308-x Authors Juan Carlos Arias-Almeida, Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, Delegación Coyoacán, 04510 México City, D.F., México Roberto Rico-Martínez, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Avenida Universidad 940. Col. Ciudad Universitaria, 20131 Aguascalientes, México Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    The toxicity of Poterioochromonas to Daphnia magna was investigated at different food ( Scenedesmus acutus ) levels. Poterioochromonas alone of 0.4–20 mg C L −1 was not acutely toxic to D . magna , but did not support D . magna growth, either. When fed mixed diets (2 mg C L −1 in total), D . magna ’s survival and reproduction were significantly depressed when Poterioochromonas comprised above 50%, likely due to the inhibition of food ingestion. Large juveniles were less sensitive to poor quality food than neonates. Therefore, Poterioochromonas may affect D . magna living to various extents depending on its concentration, age structure of D . magna populations and availability of other food . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0328-6 Authors Xue Zhang, Laboratory of Environmental Technology, Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology, Tsinghua University, 100084 Beijing, People’s Republic of China Hong-Ying Hu, Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, 100084 Beijing, People’s Republic of China Trine Perlt Warming, Freshwater Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Helsingørsgade 51, 3400 Hillerød, Denmark Kirsten Seestern Christoffersen, Freshwater Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Helsingørsgade 51, 3400 Hillerød, Denmark Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Degradation of fenazaquin in sandy loam soil was investigated under field and laboratory conditions. Fenazaquin (Magister 10EC) was applied @ 125 and 250 g a.i./ha in field and in pot under field capacity moisture in laboratory. Samples drawn periodically were analyzed on GC-NPD. The residues of fenazaquin in both the doses and conditions dissipated almost 90% in 90 days. Half-life period were 32.04 and 31.35 days at two doses, respectively at field conditions and 30.10 and 28.94 days at laboratory conditions. Dissipation was approximated to first order kinetics in both conditions having correlation coefficient ranging from −0.9848 to −0.9914. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0318-8 Authors Anil Duhan, Department of Chemistry and Physics, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, 125004 Haryana, India Beena Kumari, Department of Entomology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, 125004 Haryana, India Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Carbaryl application to soil collected from a rice fallow field was relatively less toxic to viable estimates of cyanobacteria and microalgae under nonflooded conditions than under flooded conditions. Application of 1-naphthol, the hydrolysis product of carbaryl, to soil under both the regimes increased the population of both cyanobacteria and microalgae. Soil application of carbaryl and 1-naphthol in combination, up to 1.0 kg ha −1 , was nontoxic to the viable population. The toxicity exerted by carbaryl and 1-naphthol towards growth, measured in terms of chlorophyll a , and nitrogenase activity was more pronounced in Anabaena spp. than in Nostoc spp. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0347-3 Authors Mallavarapu Megharaj, Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5095, Australia Kadiyala Venkateswarlu, Department of Microbiology, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, 515055 India Ravi Naidu, Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5095, Australia Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Lead exposure in New Jersey raptors was assessed by analyzing liver samples from carcasses obtained from wildlife rehabilitators. Samples were collected from 221 individuals representing 13 species. Concentrations were within the range of normal background exposure in 12 species. One red-tailed hawk had a liver lead concentration consistent with clinical poisoning (7.4 μg/g wet weight), which represents an incidence of 1% (1/104) in that species and 0.5% (1/221) in the overall sample. A second red-tailed hawk had a liver lead concentration consistent with subclinical exposure (2.1 μg/g wet weight). The combined incidence of elevated exposure (subclinical exposure + clinical poisoning) was 2% (2/104) in red-tailed hawks and 1% (2/221) in the overall sample. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0327-7 Authors William Stansley, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Fish and Wildlife Health and Forensics, PO Box 394, Lebanon, NJ 08833, USA Lisa A. Murphy, PADLS New Bolton Center Toxicology Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    A study was conducted to determine the response of the rooted submersed macrophyte, Vallisneria spiralis to phenanthrene in freshwater sediments with initial phenanthrene concentrations from 0 to 80 mg kg −1 dry sediment. The sensitivity of various morphological endpoints was evaluated after 90 days of exposure. The most sensitive toxicity test endpoints were those that reflected root growth. Toxicological sensitivity of the endpoints changed with the effect level selected. The toxicity threshold from a plot of the EC 10 values was 1–2 orders of magnitude lower than those calculated for the threshold from plots of the EC 25 or EC 50 values. In addition, stimulatory responses (hormesis) on root growth were observed at subtoxic concentrations of phenanthrene, and a hormetic model should thus be incorporated for ecological risk assessment. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0324-x Authors Zai S. Yan, State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 73 East Beijing Road, Nanjing, 210008 People’s Republic of China Ying Hu, State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 73 East Beijing Road, Nanjing, 210008 People’s Republic of China He L. Jiang, State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 73 East Beijing Road, Nanjing, 210008 People’s Republic of China Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    In the present study, an aerobic bacterial strains OCS-A and OCS- B were isolated from an oil contaminated soil. The strains were identified to be Citrobacter freundi and Proteus mirabilis according to morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics. The strains were able to degrade about 90% of 100 mg/L phenol within 80 h as sole carbon and energy source. The lag phase increased with increase in phenol concentration. Determination of metabolic intermediate 2-HMS, was done which indicate meta -cleavage pathway of phenol meta bolism. Hence these isolates can be effectively used for bioremediation of phenol contaminated sites. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0322-z Authors Bhavna Vishwas Mohite, Department of Biotechnology, Moolaji Jaitha College, Jalgaon, 425001 MS, India Shraddha Pandurang Pawar, Department of Biotechnology, Moolaji Jaitha College, Jalgaon, 425001 MS, India Ankush Morankar, Department of Biotechnology, Moolaji Jaitha College, Jalgaon, 425001 MS, India Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Leptothrix species in aquatic environments produce uniquely shaped hollow microtubules composed of aquatic inorganic and bacterium-derived organic hybrids. Our group termed this biologically derived iron oxide as “biogenous iron oxide (BIOX)”. The artificial synthesis of most industrial iron oxides requires massive energy and is costly while BIOX from natural environments is energy and cost effective. The BIOX microtubules could potentially be used as novel industrial functional resources for catalysts, adsorbents and pigments, among others if effective and efficient applications are developed. For these purposes, a reproducible system to regulate bacteria and their BIOX productivity must be established to supply a sufficient amount of BIOX upon industrial demand. However, the bacterial species and the mechanism of BIOX microtubule formation are currently poorly understood. In this study, a novel Leptothrix sp. strain designated OUMS1 was successfully isolated from ocherous deposits in groundwater by testing various culture media and conditions. Morphological and physiological characters and elemental composition were compared with those of the known strain L. cholodnii SP-6 and the differences between these two strains were shown. The successful isolation of OUMS1 led us to establish a basic system to accumulate biological knowledge of Leptothrix and to promote the understanding of the mechanism of microtubule formation. Additional geochemical studies of the OUMS1-related microstructures are expected provide an attractive approach to study the broad industrial application of bacteria-derived iron oxides. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-9957-6 Authors Michinori Sawayama, Department of Material Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan Tomoko Suzuki, Department of Material Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan Hideki Hashimoto, Department of Material Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan Tomonari Kasai, Department of Material Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan Mitsuaki Furutani, Department of Material Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan Naoyuki Miyata, Department of Biological Environment, Akita Prefectural University, Akita, Japan Hitoshi Kunoh, Department of Material Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan Jun Takada, Department of Material Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    The objective of this study was to examine the influence of different stressors, including cadmium (heavy metal), anthracene (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon—PAH) and chloridazon (herbicide), on population growth and biosynthesis of cytoplasmic HSP70 in Lemna minor (duckweed) in short (4 h)- and long (7 days)-term tests. A heat shock response was confirmed in Lemna exposed to high temperature: 35, 37.5, 40, or 42.5°C in short-term (4 h) treatments. The chemicals tested stimulated the biosynthesis of the cytoplasmic HSP70 protein in a concentration-dependent way (0.5–5 μM), higher in fronds exposed to lower doses of stressors. Additionally, production of HSP70 was greater after 4 h of incubation than after 7 days. The results suggest that HSP70 could be applied as a non-specific and sensitive detector of stress induced by different chemicals at concentrations below those that produce the type of response observed in classical cytotoxicity tests, such as growth inhibition. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0339-3 Authors Stefan Tukaj, Department of Plant Physiology, University of Gdańsk, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland Joanna Bisewska, Department of Plant Physiology, University of Gdańsk, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland Katarzyna Roeske, Department of Plant Physiology, University of Gdańsk, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland Zbigniew Tukaj, Department of Plant Physiology, University of Gdańsk, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    In the present study we aimed to investigate whether UV-B radiation can exacerbate effects of pesticides fenoxycarb, pirimicarb, and tebufenpyrad on the survival, reproduction, and population growth rate of the standard test species Daphnia magna . We applied sublethal pesticides’ concentrations and UV doses and observed no effects on survival. However, we observed synergistic effects of UV and pesticides on both cumulative reproduction and population growth rate (21 days) for fenoxycarb (100 μg/L) and pirimicarb (10 μg/L), but a less-than-additive effect for tebufenpyrad (5–10 μg/L). In the series exposed to UV and fenoxycarb or pirimicarb, the population growth rate dropped down to 0.1, while in the control series it was around 0.3. The results indicate that concentrations of some toxicants that are nontoxic in standard tests can cause harmful population-level effects when combined with UV. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0342-8 Authors Mikhail A. Beketov, Department of System Ecotoxicology, UFZ – Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany Antonio Speranza, Department of System Ecotoxicology, UFZ – Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany Matthias Liess, Department of System Ecotoxicology, UFZ – Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Analyses of water samples from Mikei, Osiri, Masara and Macalder (Makalda) gold mines of the Migori gold mining belt of Southwestern Kenya were done to determine the level of heavy metals using the Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence technique. The concentrations of the heavy metals were; copper (29.34 ± 5.01–14,975.59 ± 616.14 μg/L); zinc (33.69 ± 4.29–683.15 ± 32.93 μg/L); arsenic (958.16 ± 60.14–18,047.52 ± 175.00 μg/L) and lead (19.51 ± 5.5–214.53 ± 6.29 μg/L). High levels of arsenic and lead were noted. These heavy metals are not only dangerous to the lives of miners and the local inhabitants; they are also a threat to aquatic life since these waters finally find their way into Lake Victoria. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0332-x Authors O. B. Odumo, Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya A. O. Mustapha, Department of Physics, University of Agriculture Abeokuta, 2240 Abeokuta, Nigeria J. P. Patel, Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya H. K. Angeyo, Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Persistence of flubendiamide in soil as affected by UV and sunlight exposure and in water as affected by pH was studied. At field capacity moisture regime, soil was treated with flubendiamide and exposed to UV and sunlight. Dissipation for the pesticide followed mono-phasic first order kinetics. Residues of flubendiamide, as thin film on petri-plates and soil thin film, dissipated with half-lives of 7.0 and 9.1 days under UV light and 12.0 and 19.1 days under sunlight, respectively. Residues of flubendiamide dissipated faster under UV light as compared to sunlight. Persistence study in aqueous medium under different pH condition indicated that flubendiamide residues persisted in water beyond 250 days with half-lives ranging from 250.8 to 301.0 days. Dissipation in water was faster at pH 4.0 (T 1/2 250.8 days), followed by pH 9.2 (T 1/2 273.6 days) and 7.0 (T 1/2 301.0 days). Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0333-9 Authors Shaon Kumar Das, Division of Agricultural Chemicals, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012 India Irani Mukherjee, Division of Agricultural Chemicals, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012 India Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    The black carbon is a pollutant species primarily emitted from the combustion of fossil fuels (diesel). Their concentrations associated to PM2.5 were monitoring at two sites in the city of Guadalajara. From January to May (except April), downtown site shown 2.7, 2.6, 4.0 and 2.3 times higher monthly concentrations. The dry season two showed higher concentrations respect to at least one of the others seasons ( p  〈 0.0001) at each site, probably due to atmospheric conditions less favorable for the dispersal of pollutants. During the 24 h period were observed at the year two peaks of concentrations: the highest morning peak and lower night peak, both probably related to anthropogenic activity. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0330-z Authors Leonel Hernández-Mena, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco A. C., Av. Normalistas 800, Colinas de la Normal, 44270 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico Hugo Saldarriaga-Noreña, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco A. C., Av. Normalistas 800, Colinas de la Normal, 44270 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico Mario A. Murillo-Tovar, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco A. C., Av. Normalistas 800, Colinas de la Normal, 44270 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico Omar Amador-Muñoz, Centro de Ciencias de la Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Coyoacán, D.F., Mexico Alberto López-López, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco A. C., Av. Normalistas 800, Colinas de la Normal, 44270 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico Stefan M. Waliszewski, Instituto de Medicina Forense, Universidad de Veracruz, SS Juan Pablo II s/n, 91890 Boca del Rio, Mexico Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    A Gram-negative, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase- positive, strictly aerobic, and short rod-shaped bacterium that was designated strain KOPRI 25157 T was isolated from coastal seawater sample in Antarctica. The temperature and pH ranges for growth on R2A agar were 10–20°C, and 5.0–10.0, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain KOPRI 25157 T showed it to belong to the family Oxalobacteraceae of the class Betaproteobacteria , and it formed a distinct clade from other recognized members of the family. DNA G + C content was 65.9 mol%. Major ubiquinone was Q-8. Predominant cellular fatty acids were C 16:1 ω 7 c /15 iso 2OH (56.4%) and C 16:1 (30.5%). Major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and unknown lipid. On the basis of these data, it is proposed that strain KOPRI 25157 T is the representative of a novel genus, for which the name Actimicrobium gen. nov. is proposed in the family Oxalobacteraceae. The type strain for Actimicrobium antarcticum sp. nov. is KOPRI 25157 T (=JCM 16673 T =KCTC 23040 T ). Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-9962-9 Authors Eun Hye Kim, Division of Polar Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, Get-pearl Tower, 12 Gaetbeol-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 406-840 Republic of Korea Hyun-Jeong Jeong, Division of Polar Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, Get-pearl Tower, 12 Gaetbeol-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 406-840 Republic of Korea Yoo Kyoung Lee, Division of Polar Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, Get-pearl Tower, 12 Gaetbeol-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 406-840 Republic of Korea Eun Young Moon, Institute of Microbiology, Seoul National University, Gwanak_1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-742 Republic of Korea Jang-Cheon Cho, Division of Biology and Ocean Sciences, Inha University, 253 Yonghyun-dong, Nam-gu, Incheon, 402-751 Republic of Korea Hong Kum Lee, Division of Polar Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, Get-pearl Tower, 12 Gaetbeol-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 406-840 Republic of Korea Soon Gyu Hong, Division of Polar Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, Get-pearl Tower, 12 Gaetbeol-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 406-840 Republic of Korea Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    Bromoxynil octanoate (BOO), the most widespread herbicide applied to maize, is potentially toxic to both animals and humans. In this article, a highly effective BOO-degrading bacterial strain, XB2, was isolated from the soil of a herbicide factory. The strain was identified as an Acinetobacter sp. based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, morphological, physiological, and biochemical properties. This strain could use BOO as its sole carbon source and could degrade 100 mg l −1 BOO to non-detectable levels in 72 h (h). The optimal pH and temperature for strain XB2’s growth and degradation of BOO in MSM are 7.0 and 30°C, respectively. We propose the following pathway of BOO degradation by strain XB2: the first step is the scission of the ester bond to form bromoxynil, bromoxynil then transformed to 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid due to the hydrolysis of nitriles, and debromination finally results in the formation of 3-bromo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid. Inoculating BOO-treated soil samples with strain XB2 resulted in a higher rate of BOO degradation than in non-inoculated soil, regardless of whether the soil had previously been sterilized. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-9965-6 Authors Tianming Cai, The College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China Liwei Chen, The College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China Jing Xu, The College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China Shu Cai, The College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    Infiltration galleries are among the oldest known means used for small public water fountains. Owing to its ancestral origin they are usually associated with high quality water. Thirty-one compounds, including pesticides and estrogens from different chemical families, were analysed in waters from infiltration galleries collected in Alto Douro Demarcated Wine region (North of Portugal). A total of twelve compounds were detected in the water samples. Nine of these compounds are described as presenting evidence or potential evidence of interfering with the hormone system of humans and wildlife. Although concentrations of the target analytes were relatively low, many of them below their limit of quantification, four compounds were above quantification limit and two of them even above the legal limit of 0.1 μg/L: dimethoate (30.38 ng/L), folpet (64.35 ng/L), terbuthylazine-desethyl (22.28 to 292.36 ng/L) and terbuthylazine (22.49 to 369.33 ng/L). Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0337-5 Authors C. Mansilha, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Porto, Portugal A. Melo, Requimte, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal I. M. P. L. V. O. Ferreira, Requimte, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal O. Pinho, Requimte, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal V. Domingues, Requimte, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Porto, Portugal C. Pinho, Requimte, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal P. Gameiro, Requimte, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    The objective of the present study was to monitor the levels of organochlorine pesticides HCB, α- β -γ-HCH, pp′ DDE, op ′DDT and pp′ DDT in 150 adipose tissue samples of Veracruz, Mexico inhabitants. In analyzed samples, the following pesticides were detected: p,p’ -DDE in 100% of the samples at mean 1.643 mg/kg; p,p’ -DDT in 99.3.% of the samples at mean 0.227 mg/kg; β -HCH in 97.3% of the samples at mean 0.063 mg/kg; and op ′DDT in 93.3% of the samples at mean 0.022 mg/kg. Comparing mean, median and geometric mean concentrations of organochlorine pesticides shows a decrease in values from mean to median and to geometric mean which points out a prevalence of lower concentrations among the total samples and the existence of occasional cases of extreme exposure expressed in range values. The pooled samples divided according to sex, showed only significant differences of pp′ DDE median concentrations between sexes. The other organochlorine pesticides indicated no statistical differences between sexes, including the pp′ DDE/ pp′ DDT ratio. The samples grouped according to age, showed that the third tertile was more contaminated for both sexes, indicating age as a positively associated factor with organochlorine pesticide levels in adipose tissue of Veracruz inhabitants. Comparing organochlorine pesticide levels between 2008 and 2010 years, a decreased tendency for β -HCH, pp′ DDE, Σ -DDT and pp′ DDE/ pp′ DDT ratio levels was observed. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0341-9 Authors Stefan M. Waliszewski, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Veracruz, SS Juan Pablo II s/n, 91980 Boca del Río, Ver, Mexico M. Caba, Biomedical Research Center, University of Veracruz, Xalapa, Mexico M. Herrero-Mercado, Biomedical Sciences Doctor Study, University of Veracruz, Xalapa, Ver, Mexico H. Saldariaga-Noreña, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University Autonomous of Coahuila, Saltillo, Mexico E. Meza, Biomedical Research Center, University of Veracruz, Xalapa, Mexico R. Zepeda, Biomedical Research Center, University of Veracruz, Xalapa, Mexico C. Martínez-Valenzuela, Department of Biological Sciences, West University, Los Mochis, Sin, Mexico R. Infanzon, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Veracruz, SS Juan Pablo II s/n, 91980 Boca del Río, Ver, Mexico F. Hernández-Chalate, IMSS Hospital Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    To assess the toxicity of nonylphenol towards aquatic crustaceans, Neocaridina denticulata were exposed short-term to sublethal concentration (0.001–0.5 mg/L). Following treatment, differentially expressed genes were identified using suppression subtractive hybridization on samples prepared from whole specimens. There were 20 differentially expressed sequence tags that corresponded to known genes and could be divided into six functional classes: defence, translation, metabolism, ribosomal gene expression, respiration, and genes involved in the stress response. Using semi-quantitative RT–PCR, we found that 14 of the differentially expressed sequence tags significantly responded to nonylphenol, including six at a nominal concentration of 0.01 mg/L; among them, 12 genes were down-regulated. These results suggest that under non-lethal concentrations of nonylphenol, the polluted aquatic environment may still present a potential risk to N. denticulata . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0338-4 Authors Chang-Lun Liu, Department of Microbiology, Soochow University, Taipei, 111 Taiwan Hung-Hung Sung, Department of Microbiology, Soochow University, Taipei, 111 Taiwan Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    This study evaluated the condition factor, gonadosomatic, and hepatosomatic indexes, occurrence of plasmatic vitellogenin (Vg), and frequency of spermatogenic maturity stages in male Chilean flounders, Paralichthys adspersus , caught at three different coastal sites off the Bio-Bio region, central Chile, during 1 year. The Vg was detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with sodium dodecyl sulfate and Western blot analyses using an antibody against Chilean flounder Vg. The spermatogenic maturity stages were analyzed by histological gonadic diagnostic. The prevalence of plasmatic Vg induction in male fish differed significantly among sites. The flounders sampled from the Itata area were the most affected. Evaluations of biometric data, plasmatic Vg induction, and spermatogenic maturity stages of the flounder showed the following: (1) lower gonadosomatic index, (2) greater hepatosomatic index, (3) greater prevalence of plasmatic Vg, and (4) delayed development of the gonad. The results suggest that estrogenic endocrine-disruption compounds are introduced into the marine environment, negatively affecting the fish studied. The relevance of this report is discussed in relation to estrogenic compounds introduced by industrial and municipal wastewater effluents in the areas studied. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9690-y Authors Maritza O. Leonardi, Programa de Investigacion Marina de Excelencia (PIMEX-Nueva Aldea), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanograficas, Universidad de Concepcion, Casilla 160-C, Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepción, Chile Marcia Puchi, Departamento de Bioquimica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad de Concepcion, Casilla 160-C, Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepcion, Chile Paulina Bustos, Departamento de Bioquimica Clínica e Inmunologia, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Concepcion, Casilla 160-C, Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepcion, Chile Ximena Romo, Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Autopista Concepcion Talcahuano, 7100 Talcahuano, Chile Violeta Morín, Departamento de Bioquimica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad de Concepcion, Casilla 160-C, Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepcion, Chile Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    Residue levels of chlorpyriphos were determined in unprocessed and processed okra fruits to evaluate the effect of different processes (washing and washing followed by boiling/cooking) on reduction of residues of this pesticide in okra. The study was carried out on okra crop (Variety, Varsha Uphar) in research farm of Chaudhary Charan Singh, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar with application of chlorpyriphos (Radar 20 EC) at 200 g a.i./ha and 400g a.i./ha (Single Dose, T 1 ) and 400 g a.i./ha (Double Dose, T 2 ). Samples of okra fruits were collected on 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 days and at harvest after treatment. Residues were estimated by GC-ECD system and reached BDL of 0.010 mg kg −1 on 7th and 15th day in case of single and double dose, respectively. The residues dissipated with half-life period of 3.15 days at lower dose and 3.46 days at higher dose following biphasic first order kinetics. Processing was found very effective in reducing the levels of chlorpyriphos residues in okra fruits. Maximum reduction (64–77%) was observed by washing + boiling followed by washing (13–35%). Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0306-z Authors Samriti, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, 125004 Haryana Reena Chauhan, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, 125004 Haryana Beena Kumari, Department of Entomology, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, 125004 Haryana Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    The ability of Aspergillus fumigatus l -amino acid oxidase ( l -aao) to cause the resolution of racemic mixtures of dl -amino acids was investigated with dl -alanine, dl -phenylalanine, dl -tyrosine, and dl -aspartic acid. A chiral column, Crownpak CR+ was used for the analysis of the amino acids. The enzyme was able to cause the resolution of the three dl -amino acids resulting in the production of optically pure d -alanine (100% resolution), d -phenylalanine (80.2%), and d -tyrosine (84.1%), respectively. The optically pure d -amino acids have many uses and thus can be exploited industrially. This is the first report of the use of A. fumigatus l -amino acid oxidase for racemic resolution of dl -amino acids. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-9955-8 Authors Susmita Singh, Biotechnology Division, North East Institute of Science and Technology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Jorhat, 785006 Assam, India Binod K. Gogoi, Biotechnology Division, North East Institute of Science and Technology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Jorhat, 785006 Assam, India Rajib L. Bezbaruah, Biotechnology Division, North East Institute of Science and Technology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Jorhat, 785006 Assam, India Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    We evaluated associations between total mercury (Hg) concentrations in blood and skin and endocrine, hepatic, renal, and hematological parameters in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ). Dolphins in Indian River Lagoon, FL had higher concentrations of Hg in blood (0.67 μg/l wet wt) and skin (7.24 μg/g dry wt) compared with those from Charleston Harbor, SC (0.15 μg/l wet wt, 1.68 μg/g dry wt). An inverse relationship was observed between blood and skin Hg concentrations and total thyroxine, triiodothyronine, absolute numbers of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and platelets. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), blood urea nitrogen, and gamma-glutamyl transferase increased with increasing concentrations of Hg in blood and skin; lactate dehydrogenase and neutrophils increased with concentrations in skin only. Hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin increased with increasing concentrations of Hg in blood. Selenium was negatively associated with free T4, progesterone, and absolute numbers of monocytes, and positively correlated with absolute numbers of eosinophils and lymphocytes, and mean corpuscular volume. The results suggest the potential for a deleterious effect of Hg in highly exposed dolphins. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9651-5 Authors Adam M. Schaefer, Marine Mammal Research and Conservation, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 U.S. 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA Hui-Chen W. Stavros, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, NOS, NOAA, Charleston, SC 29142, USA Gregory D. Bossart, Marine Mammal Research and Conservation, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 U.S. 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA Patricia A. Fair, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, NOS, NOAA, Charleston, SC 29142, USA Juli D. Goldstein, Marine Mammal Research and Conservation, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 U.S. 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA John S. Reif, Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    Natural plankton communities from a tropical freshwater reservoir (Combani Reservoir, Mayotte Island, Mozambique Channel) were exposed, in 20-l nutrient-enriched microcosms, to two nominal concentrations of three pesticides: the herbicides diuron (2.2 and 11 μg/l) and paraquat (10 and 40.5 μg/l) and the insecticide fenitrothion (10 and 100 μg/l), commonly used in the tropics for agriculture and disease vector control. Bacterioplankton, phytoplankton, and zooplankton communities were monitored for 5 days after exposure, and the concentrations of toxicant and major nutrients were measured. Bacterioplankton growth was noticeable in all systems and was slightly affected by pesticide at any concentration. A transitory increase in thymidine-based bacterial production was observed in diuron- and fenitrothion-treated microcosms, followed by a marked decrease in all microcosms after 5 days. The functional diversity of bacterioplankton, evaluated using BIOLOG ECO ® microplates, was reduced by exposure to the highest pesticide concentrations. Phytoplankton was affected by pesticides in different ways. Chlorophyll biomass and biovolumes were increased by diuron addition and decreased by paraquat, whereas fenitrothion-treated microcosms remained unaffected relative to controls. Phytoplankton taxonomic diversity was decreased by paraquat and high doses of fenitrothion but was unaffected by addition of diuron. The decrease in diversity was due to a reduction in the number of species, whereas the density of small cells increased, especially after addition of paraquat. Heterotrophic flagellates were sensitive to paraquat and to the highest diuron concentration; a reduction in biomass of up to 90% was observed for 40.5 μg/l paraquat. Zooplankton, dominated by Thermocyclops decipiens and Diaphanosoma excisum , was slightly sensitive to diuron, and very sensitive to paraquat. High concentrations of the insecticide fenitrothion were effective only on young stages. The potential direct and indirect effects of pesticide contamination on such a simplified plankton food web, typical of newly constructed reservoirs, appear to differ significantly depending on the biological compartment considered. The overall sensitivity of tropical plankton is comparable to the sensitivity for temperate systems, and direct and indirect effects appeared rapidly, within 5 days of exposure. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9653-3 Authors C. Leboulanger, IRD UMR 238, ECOSYM UMR5119 CNRS-IRD-Université Montpellier II, Place Eugène Bataillon, case 093, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France M. Bouvy, IRD UMR 238, ECOSYM UMR5119 CNRS-IRD-Université Montpellier II, Place Eugène Bataillon, case 093, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France C. Carré, IRD UMR 238, ECOSYM UMR5119 CNRS-IRD-Université Montpellier II, Place Eugène Bataillon, case 093, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France P. Cecchi, IRD UMR 238, ECOSYM UMR5119 CNRS-IRD-Université Montpellier II, Place Eugène Bataillon, case 093, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France L. Amalric, BRGM MMA/ENV, 3 av. Claude Guillemin, BP 6009, 45060 Orléans Cedex 2, France A. Bouchez, INRA UMR CARRTEL, 75 avenue de Corzent, 74211 Thonon-les-Bains Cedex, France M. Pagano, IRD UR 167 CYROCO, LOPB UMR 6535, case 901, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France G. Sarazin, Laboratoire de Géochimie des Eaux, Université Paris-Diderot, 35 rue Hélène Brion, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    The aim of this work was to assess the relationship between mercury concentrations in the blood with that in muscle for non-invasive mercury contamination assessment in fish. At Ribeira Bay were collected 198 fishes of 4 species ( Genidens genidens , Arius luniscutis , Haemulon steindachneri, Micropogonias furnieri ). At Guanabara Bay were collected 84 fishes of 2 species ( Genidens genidens , Micropogonias furnieri ). Means of mercury concentrations in fish muscles in both areas were below 500 ng/g. The mean ratio, including all specimens of all species, for mercury in muscle-to-whole blood was 13.4:1, for muscle-to-erythrocytes, 6.5:1 and for erythrocytes-to-plasma, 6.5:1. Further studies are necessary to insure that blood could be used as an exposure biomarker, in order to assess mercury availability in aquatic ecosystems. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0228-9 Authors Ana Paula de Castro Rodrigues, Department of Geochemistry, Fluminense Federal University, Outeiro São João Batista, s/n, 24020-150 Niterói, RJ Brazil Patrícia Oliveira Maciel, School of Veterinary, Fluminense Federal University, R. Vital Brazil Filho, 64, Vital Brazil, Niterói, RJ Brazil Luiz César Cavalcanti Pereira da Silva, School of Veterinary, Fluminense Federal University, R. Vital Brazil Filho, 64, Vital Brazil, Niterói, RJ Brazil Nádia Regina Pereira Almosny, School of Veterinary, Fluminense Federal University, R. Vital Brazil Filho, 64, Vital Brazil, Niterói, RJ Brazil José Vanderli Andreata, Laboratory of Fish Ecology, Santa Úrsula University, R. Fernando Ferrari, 75, Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil Edison Dausacker Bidone, Department of Geochemistry, Fluminense Federal University, Outeiro São João Batista, s/n, 24020-150 Niterói, RJ Brazil Zuleica Carmen Castilhos, Centre for Mineral Technology, Av. Pedro Calmon, 900, 21941-908 Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Ochratoxin A is one of the most abundant food- contaminating mycotoxins in the world that is immunosuppressive, genotoxic, teratogenic and carcinogenic. Malondialdehyde is a naturally occurring product of lipid peroxidation that is mutagenic and carcinogenic. 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine is produced during the interaction of reactive oxygen species and DNA. In this study, Ochratoxin A, malondialdehyde and 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels of individuals in the study group were measured and results were correlated with each other. Additionally, the correlation of biomarker levels to smoking habit, alcohol and coffee consumption, age and gender of individuals was investigated. As a result of these assessments, a significant correlation was observed between Ochratoxin A exposures and malondialdehyde and 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0225-z Authors Ilker Ates, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Ankara University, 06100 Tandogan, Ankara, Turkey Ozge Cemiloglu Ulker, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Ankara University, 06100 Tandogan, Ankara, Turkey Cigdem Akdemir, Biotechnology Institute, Ankara University, Tandogan, Ankara, Turkey Asuman Karakaya, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Ankara University, 06100 Tandogan, Ankara, Turkey Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    The concentrations of cadmium, mercury and lead were determined in liver, kidney and feathers of Accipiter gentilis , Buteo buteo and Strix aluco . No significant differences in the concentrations of metals were observed in relation to either age or gender. Cadmium levels in feathers and in kidney were significantly correlated ( p  〈 0.01 or p  〈 0.05) in all species. In B. buteo , cadmium concentrations in feathers and in liver were also correlated ( p  〈 0.01), as were the concentrations of lead in feathers and in liver ( p  〈 0.05). The low correlation coefficients let to reject the possibility of predicting metals concentrations in viscera from the concentrations in feathers. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0220-4 Authors I. Castro, Ecología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain J. R. Aboal, Ecología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain J. A. Fernández, Ecología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain A. Carballeira, Ecología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    In this study, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyles (PCBs) levels were determined in 100 human milk samples from the city of Antalya. The levels of seven major PCB congeners; 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180 and nine OCPs, α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, HCB, heptachlor epoxide, p.p ′ -DDT, p,p ′ -DDE, endosulfan-α and endosulfan-β were determined by gas chromatography with ECD detection. The levels of analyzed compounds were as follows: ΣPCBs 27.46 ± 11.58, ΣDDT 1,407 ± 123, and ΣBHC 160 ± 490 ng/g lipid wt.basis. PCB 153 and p,p ′ -DDE were the dominant contaminants. The results have been discussed and compared with similar studies from other regions of Turkey. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0221-3 Authors İsmet Çok, Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Hipodrom, 06330 Ankara, Turkey Çiğdem Yelken, Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Hipodrom, 06330 Ankara, Turkey Emre Durmaz, Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Hipodrom, 06330 Ankara, Turkey Mine Üner, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey Barış Sever, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey Funda Satır, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    The in vivo and in vitro effects of the pesticide endosulfan on the cholinesterase (ChE) activity were investigated in rats. ChE activity decreased in dams and in male pups within 65 days corresponding to 35% and 32% of inhibition respectively in the higher endosulfan dose (1.5 mg/kg). In vitro, the enzyme activity was found to be inhibited in a concentration dependent manner. The results suggest that endosulfan is able to inhibit the ChE activity and to cross the placental barrier and/or to be eliminated through milk affecting the enzyme activity in male rat pups. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0227-x Authors Helena Cristina Silva de Assis, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, PO Box 19031, 81531-990 Curitiba, PR Brazil Lilian Nicaretta, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, PO Box 19031, 81531-990 Curitiba, PR Brazil Maria Consuelo Andrade Marques, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, PO Box 19031, 81531-990 Curitiba, PR Brazil Sandra Crestani, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, PO Box 19031, 81531-990 Curitiba, PR Brazil Kelly Cristina Soares, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, PO Box 19031, 81531-990 Curitiba, PR Brazil Delia Olmedo, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, PO Box 19031, 81531-990 Curitiba, PR Brazil Paulo Roberto Dalsenter, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, PO Box 19031, 81531-990 Curitiba, PR Brazil Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    The spatial distribution of cadmium, lead and zinc concentrations in water, sediment and oysters from San Andres Lagoon was evaluated. Significantly higher cadmium (0.33 mg L −1 ) and lead (0.70 mg L −1 ) concentrations in water were observed in front of the mouth of Tigre river, whereas, zinc concentration (5.0 mg L −1 ) was significantly higher in the south part of the lagoon. Similarly, lead and zinc values in sediment (1.01 and 9.29 μg g −1 , respectively) and oyster tissue (0.86 and 3.19 μg g −1 , respectively) were significantly higher in the south part of the lagoon. Levels of cadmium and lead in oyster tissue were positively related to those found in sediment. However, concerning zinc no evident relationship was found. Such differences in regression analyses may be explained by differential bioaccumulation of xenobiotic (cadmium, lead) and essential (zinc) metals. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0223-1 Authors María de la Luz Vázquez-Sauceda, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Carretera Victoria–Mante km 5, Cd., Victoria, 87000 Tamaulipas México G. Aguirre-Guzmán, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Carretera Victoria–Mante km 5, Cd., Victoria, 87000 Tamaulipas México J. G. Sánchez-Martínez, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Carretera Victoria–Mante km 5, Cd., Victoria, 87000 Tamaulipas México R. Pérez-Castañeda, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Carretera Victoria–Mante km 5, Cd., Victoria, 87000 Tamaulipas México Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Plantlets of Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) were exposed in vitro for 30 days to five lead levels (0–400 μM) to analyze the effects on growth and oxidative stress and responses of various antioxidants vis-à-vis lead accumulation. The plantlets showed significant lead accumulation in roots (1,532 μg g −1 DW) with a low root to shoot lead translocation (ca. 3.6%). The growth of plantlets was negatively affected by various lead treatments, although the level of photosynthetic pigments did not alter significantly in response to any lead treatment. However, plantlets suffered from oxidative stress as suggested by the significant increase in malondialdehyde levels in root (8.48 μmol g −1 FW) and shoot (3.20 μmol g −1 FW) tissues with increasing lead treatments. In response to the imposed toxicity, increases in the activities of catalase in root (4.14 ∆E min −1  mg −1 protein) and shoot (3.46 ∆E min −1  mg −1 protein) and superoxide dismutase in root (345.32 units mg −1 protein) and shoot (75.26 units mg −1 protein), respectively, were observed, while the levels of non-protein thiols and ascorbic acid were not affected significantly in either roots or shoots. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0226-y Authors D. K. Gupta, Department of Biology, University Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil F. T. Nicoloso, Department of Biology, University Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil M. R. Schetinger, Department of Chemistry, University Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil L. V. Rossato, Department of Biology, University Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil H. G. Huang, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, Zhejiang University, Hua-jian-chi Campus, 310029 Hangzhou, China S. Srivastava, Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085 India X. E. Yang, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, Zhejiang University, Hua-jian-chi Campus, 310029 Hangzhou, China Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    A simple and reliable analytical method for analysis of fluroxypyr-meptyl residue in rice, soil and water was investigated. The residue levels and dissipation rates of fluroxypyr-meptyl (34% AS) were determined by GC–MSD in selected ion monitoring mode. In the supervised field trials, the half-life of fluroxypyr- meptyl in rice plant was in the range 1.25–4.13 days. The half-lives of fluroxypyr-meptyl in soil and water were 2.29 and 1.73 days, respectively. In order to assess the dissipation of fluroxypyr-meptyl in the environment, a laboratory simulated experiment was carried out in soil and water. The terminal residues of fluroxypyr-meptyl in rice plant, husked rice, rice hull and soil samples were undetectable at harvest. It showed that fluroxypyr-meptyl may be safe to use according to the recommended dosage suggested by the corporation. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0218-y Authors Lei Wang, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China Jun Xu, Plant Protection Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China Pengyue Zhao, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China Canping Pan, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Bacterial FtsE gene codes for the ATP-binding protein, FtsE, which in complex with the transmembrane protein, FtsX, participates in diverse cellular processes. Therefore, regulated expression of FtsE and FtsX might be critical to the human pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis , under stress conditions. Although ftsX gene of M. tuberculosis ( MtftsX ) is known to be transcribed from a promoter inside the upstream gene, ftsE , the transcriptional status of ftsE gene of M. tuberculosis ( MtftsE ) remains unknown. Therefore, the authors initiated transcriptional analyses of MtftsE , using total RNA from M. tuberculosis cells that were grown under stress conditions, which the pathogen is exposed to, in granuloma in tuberculosis patients. Primer extension experiments showed the presence of putative transcripts, T1, T2, T3, and T4. T1 originated from the intergenic region between the upstream gene, MRA_3135 , and MtftsE . T2 and T3 were found initiated from within MRA_3135 . T4 was transcribed from a region upstream of MRA_3135 . RT-PCR confirmed co-transcription of MRA_3135 and MtftsE . The cloned putative promoter regions for T1, T2, and T3 elicited transcriptional activity in Mycobacterium smegmatis transformants. T1, T2, and T3, but no new transcript, were present in the M. tuberculosis cells that were grown under the stress conditions, which the pathogen is exposed to in granuloma in tuberculosis patients. It showed lack of modulation of MtftsE transcripts under the stress conditions tested, indicating that ftsE may not have a stress response-specific function in M. tuberculosis . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-9897-1 Authors Sougata Roy, Indian Institute of Science, Microbiology and Cell Biology, Bangalore, Karnataka Srinivasan Vijay, Indian Institute of Science, Microbiology and Cell Biology, Bangalore, Karnataka Muthu Arumugam, Indian Institute of Science, Microbiology and Cell Biology, Bangalore, Karnataka Deepak Anand, Indian Institute of Science, Microbiology and Cell Biology, Bangalore, Karnataka Mushtaq Mir, Indian Institute of Science, Microbiology and Cell Biology, Bangalore, Karnataka Parthasarathi Ajitkumar, Indian Institute of Science, Microbiology and Cell Biology, Bangalore, Karnataka Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    Cryptosporidium parvum , an intestinal apicomplexan parasite, is a significant cause of diarrheal diseases in both humans and animals. What is more, there is no promising strategy for controlling cryptosporidiosis. In this study, the P23 immunodominant surface protein of C. parvum sporozoites was stably expressed in the Lactobacillus casei Zhang strain and its immunogenicity was evaluated in a mouse model. The molecular weight (23 kDa) and immunogenicity of p23 gene expressed by L.   casei Zhang were similar to that of the native P23 protein. Oral immunization with control L.   casei Zhang and recombinant L. casei Zhang-p23 activated the mucosal immune system to elicit serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and mucosal IgA in mice. Furthermore, the expression of cytokines such as IL-4, IL-6, and IFN-γ in splenocytes of mice was detected by real-time PCR after oral immunization. P23-specific immunocyte activation was also verified. These findings indicate that the live L.   casei Zhang vector may be a new tool for the production of mucosal vaccines against cryptosporidiosis in animals. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-9894-4 Authors Geriletu, Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, 306 Zhaowuda Road, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010018, China Rihua Xu, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083 China Honglin Jia, National Research Center for Protozoan Disease, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokaido Japan Mohamad Alaa Terkawi, National Research Center for Protozoan Disease, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokaido Japan Xuenan Xuan, National Research Center for Protozoan Disease, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokaido Japan Heping Zhang, Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, 306 Zhaowuda Road, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010018, China Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    The purpose of this study was to understand the differences in tolerance to ammonium nitrate in four Iberian amphibians. Results showed a negative effect on amphibian survival and larvae total length. Three different tolerance groups on amphibian survival were established. The two first groups showed a higher reduction, around 90% and between 70 and 80% after 96 h exposition at the maximum concentration tested (180 mg NH 4 NO 3 /L), while the third group showed no mortality in any concentration tested. In addition, a reduction in larvae total length was also detected for all four species, with Bufo bufo as the most sensitive species. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0289-9 Authors Enrique García-Muñoz, Departamento de Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Campus de las Lagunillas, s/n, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain Francisco Guerrero, Departamento de Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Campus de las Lagunillas, s/n, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain Rita Carina Bicho, CESAM and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal Gema Parra, Departamento de Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Campus de las Lagunillas, s/n, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Geldanamycin belongs to benzoquinone ansamycin antibiotic and has potent antitumor activities. In this study, a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library with an average insert size of up to 150 kb was constructed from genomic DNA of Streptomyces autolyticus JX-47. A genetic-screening strategy was established using BAC end-sequencing and three pairs of primers designed to target the remote regions, gdmA1, gdmA3 and gdmRI, of the geldanamycin gene cluster. Three clones covering geldanamycin biosynthesis gene cluster were obtained, which together spanned a 250-kb genomic region, and a 150227-bp insert in the clone p4E9 was sequenced. Comparison with the reported geldanamycin gene cluster sequences from S. hygroscopicus revealed that it had the same gene arrangement and high gene homology in the polyketide synthase (PKS) region and its downstream with 84–100% DNA identity and 81–100% amino acid (AA) identity. Its DNA homology with the whole gene cluster sequence from S. hygroscopicus strain 17997 reached 99% identity. However, upstream of the PKS region exhibited great diversity, where only ORF16 was conserved, and the other genes including gdmL and gdmX were displaced. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-9940-2 Authors Shikun Dai, Key Laboratory of Marine Bio-Resources Sustainable Utilization, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301 People’s Republic of China Yongchang Ouyang, Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou, 510182 People’s Republic of China Guanghua Wang, Key Laboratory of Marine Bio-Resources Sustainable Utilization, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301 People’s Republic of China Xiang Li, Key Laboratory of Marine Bio-Resources Sustainable Utilization, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301 People’s Republic of China Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    Cadmium (Cd), a nonessential trace element, is rapidly accumulated by most living organisms and subsequently exerts its toxicity at different molecular levels. This study exposed gilthead sea bream ( Sparus aurata ) to waterborne 0.1 mg/l Cd for 11 days and investigated the Cd accumulation pattern, lipid oxidation, and response of antioxidant defences. At the end of the experiment, mean Cd concentrations in gills and liver, the organs most prone to metal accumulation, were 209.4 and 371.7 ng/g ww, respectively. Muscle did not show any Cd retention during the 11 days of exposure. In liver, the cytosolic fraction of the metal was chelated into the nontoxic form by metallothionein (MT), a specific Cd-inducible protein. Zn and Cu concentrations were not influenced by Cd exposure. Glutathione (GSH) concentrations and the antioxidant enzyme activities of GSH reductase and GSH peroxidase showed an overall decreasing trend. In addition, lipid and aqueous hydroperoxide levels did not show any significant variation. Oxidative stress indirectly generated by Cd seems to be compensated for by the different biochemical systems tailored to decrease cellular damage. In particular, the negative effects of Cd accumulation in tissues were probably counteracted by the induction of MT. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9676-9 Authors T. Cirillo, Department of Food Science, “Federico II” University of Naples, Naples, Italy R. Amodio Cocchieri, Department of Food Science, “Federico II” University of Naples, Naples, Italy E. Fasano, Department of Food Science, “Federico II” University of Naples, Naples, Italy A. Lucisano, Department of Pathology and Animal Health, “Federico II” University of Naples, Naples, Italy S. Tafuri, Department of Pathology and Animal Health, “Federico II” University of Naples, Naples, Italy M. C. Ferrante, Department of Pathology and Animal Health, “Federico II” University of Naples, Naples, Italy E. Carpenè, Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, 60024 Italy G. Andreani, Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, 60024 Italy G. Isani, Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, 60024 Italy Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    Concentrations of the elements mercury, arsenic, cadmium and lead were measured in the muscle tissue of Orange roughy ( Hoplostethus atlanticus ) obtained from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge during the M ar -E co expedition in the North Atlantic Ocean in 2004. The age of the fish varied from 1 to 139 years. To the best of our knowledge, the concentration of the heavy metals presented here is for one of the oldest fish in the literature, in addition to the fact that very little information on arsenic in Orange roughy has been previously published. The concentration of mercury in the fillet of the fish varied between 0.06 and 1.1 μg g −1  w.w. Mercury was the only element that was positively correlated to the age. The concentrations of mercury were found to be below the maximum limits for Orange roughy set by EU at 1.0 μg g −1  w.w, except for a 134 year fish sample with a concentration of 1.1 μg g −1  w.w. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0296-x Authors K. Julshamn, National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), P.O. Box 2029, Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway A. Måge, National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), P.O. Box 2029, Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway I. M. B. Tyssebotn, Department of Chemistry, Collage of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY, USA L. J. Sæthre, Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, 5007 Bergen, Norway Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    The widespread use of the pharmaceutical chlortetracycline to treat human and animal infectious diseases is raising concern in Korea regarding the potential development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study investigated the fate of chlortetracycline in Korean arable soils, to assess its environmental impact. The estimated half-life of chlortetracycline was 26.70–27.17 days indoors and 18.63–30.16 days outdoors. The chlortetracycline epimers and metabolites, 4-epichlortetracycline and 4-epi-anydrochlotetracycline were determined using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy. The respective concentrations of 4-epi-anydrochlotetracycline and 4-epichlortetracycline were 1.91%–9.71% and 11.12%–23.92% of the total chlortetracycline residual concentration indoors and 2.96%–11.44% and 17.61%–40.73% outdoors. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0298-8 Authors Jin-Wook Kwon, National Veterinary Research & Quarantine Service (NVRQS), 620-2 Amnam-dong, Seo-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Sulfonamides and tetracyclines are pharmaceuticals widely used to treat human and animal diseases. They are of considerable concern in Korea because of the potential risk of residues in aquatic and terrestrial environments. This study investigated the mobility of veterinary drugs in the soil column with the application of manure compost to assess the risk of groundwater contamination by leaching in the Korean agricultural environment. The degree of sulfonamides and tetracyclines mobility, measured by the concentration of leachates from silty loam soil for 9 days, was observed being on the first day of this study, in the order sulfathiazole, sulfamethazine 〉 sulfamethoxazole 〉 chlortetracycline 〉 oxytetracycline, and the sulfonamides concentrations were about ten times higher than the tetracyclines concentrations with continuous leaching. The results indicate that sulfonamides pose a high risk of ground and surface water contamination and tetracyclines have the potential to persist in soils with bioactive epimers. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0297-9 Authors Jin-Wook Kwon, National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS) 620-2 Amnam-dong, Seo-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Funnel-and-gate structures with three gates, two funnels (collinear with gates), and two perpendicular flow-directing vanes (baffles) were assessed for capturing contaminated groundwater in a hypothetical unconfined aquifer. Simulated structures, anchored into an underlying aquiclude, were 35 m wide. One 5-m wide gate occupied the center, and two 3-m wide gates occupied the ends, of each structure. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous (with respect to hydraulic conductivity) aquifers were modeled, with baffles at various positions along funnels in alternative configurations. A contaminant transport model, accounting for advection and hydrodynamic dispersion, tested the capability of various structures for capturing contaminant plumes. Based upon modeling results: (1) structures with baffles performed up to 17% better (homogeneous case), but also up to 48% worse (heterogeneous case), than structures without them; (2) the most effective baffles generally occupied interior portions of funnels; and (3) small (1-m) shifts in the locations of baffles resulted in up to a 33% increase (homogeneous case) in remediation timeframe. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0295-y Authors Paul F. Hudak, Department of Geography and Environmental Science Program, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #305279, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Mercury is a globally distributed pollutant that biomagnifies in aquatic food webs. In the United States, 3781 water bodies fail to meet criteria for safe fish consumption due to mercury bioaccumulation. In the risk assessment and management of these impairments (through the total maximum daily load program), an important step is evaluating the relationship between aqueous mercury and mercury in fish tissue. Often, this relationship is simplified to a bioaccumulation factor (BAF): the ratio of fish tissue mercury to aqueous mercury. This article evaluates the relationship between aqueous mercury and fish tissue mercury across a contamination gradient in the South and South Fork Shenandoah rivers of Virginia. The relationship was found to be nonlinear, with BAFs decreasing as the level of contamination increased. This means that protective water column mercury concentration targets established from site-specific BAFs will be overestimated in contaminated areas and will not be sufficiently protective. To avoid this over-prediction in the South and South Fork Shenandoah rivers, an empirical nonlinear Michaelis–Menten model was used to establish a protective water-quality target. Among other models and variables, the Michaelis–Menten model, relating total mercury in the water column to methylmercury in fish tissue, achieved the best empirical fit ( r 2  = 0.9562). The resulting water-quality targets using this model were 3.8 and 3.2 ng/l for the South and South Fork Shenandoah rivers, respectively. These values are 2.1–2.5 times lower than the water-quality target developed using a site-specific BAF. These findings demonstrate the need to consider nonlinear BAF relationships in mercury-contaminated areas. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9664-0 Authors Robert N. Brent, Department of Integrated Science and Technology, James Madison University, 701 Carrier Dr., MSC 4102, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, USA Donald G. Kain, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 3000, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, USA Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    Four ethyl α-halogenated acetates were tested in (1) sham and (2) nonsham combinations and (3) with a nonreactive nonpolar narcotic. Ethyl iodoacetate (EIAC), ethyl bromoacetate (EBAC), ethyl chloroacetate (ECAC), and ethyl fluoroacetate (EFAC), each considered to be an SN2-H-polar soft electrophile, were selected for testing based on their differences in electro(nucleo)philic reactivity and time-dependent toxicity (TDT). Agent reactivity was assessed using the model nucleophile glutathione, with EIAC and EBAC showing rapid reactivity, ECAC being less reactive, and EFAC lacking reactivity at ≤250 mM. The model nonpolar narcotic, 3-methyl-2-butanone (3M2B), was not reactive. Toxicity of the agents alone and in mixture was assessed using the Microtox acute toxicity test at three exposure durations: 15, 30 and 45 min. Two of the agents alone (EIAC and EBAC) had TDT values 〉100%. In contrast, ECAC (74 to 99%) and EFAC (9 to 12%) had partial TDT, whereas 3M2B completely lacked TDT (〈0%). In mixture testing, sham combinations of each agent showed a combined effect consistent with predicted effects for dose-addition at each time point, as judged by EC 50 dose-addition quotient values. Mixture toxicity results for nonsham ethyl acetate combinations were variable, with some mixtures being inconsistent with the predicted effects for dose-addition and/or independence. The ethyl acetate–3M2B combinations were somewhat more toxic than predicted for dose-addition, a finding differing from that observed previously for α-halogenated acetonitriles with 3M2B. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9663-1 Authors D. A. Dawson, Department of Biology/Toxicology, Ashland University, Ashland, OH 44805, USA T. Mooneyham, Department of Biology/Toxicology, Ashland University, Ashland, OH 44805, USA J. Jeyaratnam, Department of Biology/Toxicology, Ashland University, Ashland, OH 44805, USA T. W. Schultz, Department of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-4543, USA G. Pöch, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    Phototrophic bacteria necessarily contain carotenoids for photosynthesis, and a few phototrophic purple bacteria accumulate unusual carotenoids. The carotenoids in the genera Phaeospirillum and Roseospira were identified using spectroscopic methods. All species of the genus Phaeospirillum contained characteristic polar carotenoids in addition to lycopene and hydroxylycopene (rhodopin); hydroxylycopene glucoside, dihydroxylycopene, and its mono- and/or diglucosides. From the structures of these carotenoids, their accumulation was suggested to be due to absence of CrtD (acyclic carotenoid C-3,4 desaturase) and to possession of glucosyltransferase. Species of the genus Roseospira have been reported to have unusual absorption spectra in acetone extract, and they were found to accumulate 3,4-didehydrorhodopin as a major carotenoid. This may be due to low activity of CrtF (acyclic 1-hydroxycarotenoid methyltransferase). The study concludes in identifying genus specific unusual carotenoids, which is probably due to characteristic nature of some carotenogenesis enzymes. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-9941-1 Authors Shinichi Takaichi, Department of Biology, Nippon Medical School, 297, Kosugi-cho 2, Nakahara, Kawasaki, 211-0063 Japan Takashi Maoka, Research Institute for Production Development, 15 Shimogamo Morimoto Cho, Sakyo ku, Kyoto, 606 0805 Japan Ch. Sasikala, Bacterial Discovery Laboratory, Centre for Environment, JNT University, Hyderabad, 500 085 India Ch. V. Ramana, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500 046 India Keizo Shimada, Department of Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minami-ohsawa 1-1, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397 Japan Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    This was a screening study that aimed to determine the presence of nephrotoxic mycotoxins in urine samples from patients with chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The percentage detection of aflatoxins, ochratoxins and fumonisins in 31 patients were 61.29%, 93.5% and 19.4%, respectively. Geometric means of urinary aflatoxins and ochratoxins were 30.93 creatinine and 34.62 ng/g creatinine in chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology stage 1–2 patients and 84.12 ng/g creatinine and 63.52 ng/g creatinine in unaffected relatives of patients. In chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology stage 3–5 patients, geometric means of urinary aflatoxins and ochratoxins were 10.40 and 17.08 ng/g creatinine, respectively. Non-affected relatives of patients (n = 6) had comparable levels of these mycotoxins, but healthy Japanese individuals (n = 4) had lower levels than in Sri Lanka. The higher detection rate of urinary ochratoxins in Sri Lankans indicates that exposure is common in the region. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0301-4 Authors Biruck Desalegn, Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoe, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8501 Japan Shanika Nanayakkara, Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoe, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8501 Japan Kouji H. Harada, Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoe, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8501 Japan Toshiaki Hitomi, Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoe, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8501 Japan Rohana Chandrajith, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka Upul Karunaratne, Nephrology Unit, Teaching Hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka Tilak Abeysekera, Nephrology Unit, Teaching Hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka Akio Koizumi, Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoe, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8501 Japan Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Concentrations of Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Fe in the top-soils (0–10 cm) from urbanized and un-urbanized areas of Havana city were measured by X-ray fluorescence analysis. The mean Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb contents in the urban topsoil samples (13.9 ± 4.1, 66 ± 26, 101 ± 51, 240 ± 132 and 101 ± 161 mg kg −1 , respectively) were compared with mean concentrations for other cities around the world. The results revealed the highest concentrations of metals in topsoil samples from industrial sites. Lowest metal contents were determined in the un-urbanized areas. The comparison with Dutch soil quality guidelines showed a slight contamination with Co, Ni Cu and Zn in all studied sites and with Pb in industrial soils. On the other hand, the metal-to-iron normalisation using Earth crust contents as background showed that soils from urbanized areas in Havana city (industrial sites, parks and school grounds) are moderately enriched with zinc, moderately to severe enriched (city parks and school grounds) and severe enriched (industrial sites) with lead. The values of integrated pollution index (IPI) indicated that industrial soils are middle and high contaminated by heavy metals (1.19 ≤ IPI ≤ 7.54), but enrichment index values (EI) shows that metal concentrations on the studied locations are not above the permissible levels for urban agriculture, except soils from power and metallurgical plants surroundings. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0378-9 Authors O. Díaz Rizo, Instituto Superior de Tecnologías y Ciencias Aplicadas, Ave. Salvador Allende y Luaces, POB 6163, 10600 La Habana, Cuba F. Echeverría Castillo, Instituto Superior de Tecnologías y Ciencias Aplicadas, Ave. Salvador Allende y Luaces, POB 6163, 10600 La Habana, Cuba J. O. Arado López, Instituto Superior de Tecnologías y Ciencias Aplicadas, Ave. Salvador Allende y Luaces, POB 6163, 10600 La Habana, Cuba M. Hernández Merlo, Instituto Superior de Tecnologías y Ciencias Aplicadas, Ave. Salvador Allende y Luaces, POB 6163, 10600 La Habana, Cuba Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    The formulation of a specific algaecide can greatly influence the bioavailability, uptake, and consequent control of the targeted alga. In this research, three copper-based algaecide formulations were evaluated in terms of copper sorption to a specific problematic alga and amount of copper required to achieve control. The objectives of this study were (1) to compare the masses of copper required to achieve control of Lyngbya wollei using the algaecide formulations Algimycin-PWF, Clearigate, and copper sulfate pentahydrate in laboratory toxicity experiments; (2) to relate the responses of L. wollei to the masses of copper adsorbed and absorbed (i.e., dose) as well as the concentrations of copper in the exposure water; and (3) to discern the relation between the mass of copper required to achieve control of a certain mass of L. wollei among different algaecide formulations. The critical burden of copper (i.e., threshold algaecide concentration that must be absorbed or adsorbed to achieve control) for L. wollei averaged 3.3 and 1.9 mg Cu/g algae for Algimycin-PWF and Clearigate, respectively, in experiments with a series of aqueous copper concentrations, water volumes, and masses of algae. With reasonable exposures in these experiments, control was not achieved with single applications of copper sulfate despite copper sorption 〉13 mg Cu/g algae in one experiment. Factors governing the critical burden of copper required for control of problematic cyanobacteria include algaecide formulation and concentration, volume of water, and mass of algae. By measuring the critical burden of copper from an algaecide formulation necessary to achieve control of the targeted algae, selection of an effective product and treatment rate can be calculated at a given field site. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9711-x Authors W. M. Bishop, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA J. H. Rodgers, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    This study provides information on the current status of contamination by organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in eggs and tissues of House Sparrow, Passer domesticus , in Tamil Nadu, India. The mean concentration of total hexachlorocyclohexane (∑HCH) and total dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (∑DDT) in eggs ranged from 0.01 to 1.81 μg/g and 0.02 to 1.29 μg/g, respectively. Concentration of 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene ( p,p′ -DDE) ranged from below detectable limit (BDL) to 0.64 μg/g, representing more than 60% of the ∑DDTs. About 28% of samples had p,p′ -DDE levels above the critical concentration associated with reproductive impairment. However, the mean concentrations of cyclodiene insecticides were less than 0.5 μg/g . Although OCPs levels detected in tissues are not indicative of toxicity, continuous monitoring is recommended. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0414-9 Authors V. Dhananjayan, Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology Division, Regional Occupational Health Centre, ICMR, Kannamangala PO, Bangalore, 562110 India S. Muralidharan, Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Anaikatty, Coimbatore, 641108 India S. Ranapratap, Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Anaikatty, Coimbatore, 641108 India Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    In the Willamette River Basin (Oregon, USA), various residential, municipal, industrial, and agricultural activities produce physical, biological, and chemical stressors that may impinge on the basin’s aquatic ecosystems. For 〉30 years, numerous water-quality and biological-condition data have been accumulated by often disparate monitoring programs. This diagnostic analysis explored whether these legacy data could be used to correlate the presence of chemical stressors with biological condition impacts with the understanding that association is not necessarily causation. Other natural or anthropogenic stressors that may also impact biological conditions were not considered in this study. Acute-toxicity indices were calculated separately for trace metals and organic chemicals detected in surface waters between 1994 and 2010 and then compared with land-use metrics and vertebrate- and invertebrate-assemblage indices from surveys conducted basin-wide during this same period. Half of the possible relations between land use, biological condition, and toxicity were statistically significant at p  ≤ 0.10. These results suggest that conditions for aquatic receptors improve either as agricultural or urban land decreases or as forested land increases and that chemical mixtures (primarily involving pesticides) may have impacted components of the basin’s aquatic ecosystems. There may be a need for strengthened chemical-management practices on agricultural and urban lands and for maintaining undisturbed forested land to limit chemical migration into adjacent waters. Although these results indicate some utility for legacy data, they also suggest that a more defensible assessment of chemical stressors requires a program specifically designed for that purpose. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9713-8 Authors Bruce K. Hope, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland, OR 97204-1390, USA Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    Two kraft pulp mill effluents were compared in terms of their chronic toxicity to Daphnia magna . One resulted from pulping Pinus radiata and the other came from a parallel processing of Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus globulus (mixed kraft pulp mill effluent) . The concentration of phytosterols found in the mixed kraft pulp mill effluent was higher than in the effluent from Pinus radiata , with values of 0.1082 and 0.02 μg/L, respectively. The phytosterols per se are responsible for 12.9% and 8.1% of the deviation from the natural shape, while the kraft pulp mill effluents account for 25.6%–27.8% of shape deviation. The role of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol is discussed in relation to endocrine disruption. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0409-6 Authors D. López, Environmental Science Center – EULA-Chile, University of Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepción, Chile S. Chamorro, Environmental Science Center – EULA-Chile, University of Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepción, Chile J. Silva, Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Faculty of Natural Science and Oceanography, University of Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepción, Chile E. Bay-Schmith, Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Faculty of Natural Science and Oceanography, University of Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepción, Chile G. Vidal, Environmental Science Center – EULA-Chile, University of Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepción, Chile Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    To determine the water environment and pollutants in West Java, the contents of metals and general water quality of the Ciliwung River in the Jakarta area were measured. High Escherichia coli number (116–149/mL) was detected downstream in the Ciliwung River. In addition to evaluate mercury pollution caused by gold mining, mercury contents of water and sediment samples from the Cikaniki River, and from paddy samples were determined. The water was not badly polluted. However, toxic metals such as mercury were detected at levels close to the baseline environmental standard of Indonesia (0.83–1.07 μg/g of sediments in the Cikaniki River). From analyses of the paddy samples (0.08 μg/g), it is considered that there is a health risk caused by mercury. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0411-z Authors Masaomi Yasuda, Environmental Adaptation Science, Division of Environmental Science Development, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810 Japan Yustiawati, Environmental Adaptation Science, Division of Environmental Science Development, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810 Japan M. Suhaemi Syawal, RC for Limnology, Indonesian Institute for Sciences, Cibinong, Indonesia Md. Tajuddin Sikder, Environmental Adaptation Science, Division of Environmental Science Development, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810 Japan Toshiyuki Hosokawa, Higher Education Research and Development Division, Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0817 Japan Takeshi Saito, Laboratory of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812 Japan Shunitz Tanaka, Environmental Adaptation Science, Division of Environmental Science Development, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810 Japan Masaaki Kurasaki, Environmental Adaptation Science, Division of Environmental Science Development, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810 Japan Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Dissipation of trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole were studied following two applications of a combination formulation of Nativo 75 WG (trifloxystrobin 25% + tebuconazole 50%) @ 250 and 500 g ha −1 at 10 days interval. Samples of chili were collected at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15 days after the last application. Red chili and soil samples were collected after 20 days of last application. Half-life period for trifloxystrobin were found to be 1.81 and 1.58 days and for tebuconazole these values were observed to be 1.37 and 1.41 days, respectively, at single and double the application rates. Trifloxystrobin residues dissipated below its limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.01 mg kg −1 after 5 and 7 days, respectively, at single and double the application dosages whereas tebuconazole residues took 7 and 10 days, respectively. Red chili & soil samples collected after 20 days did not reveal the presence of trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole at their determination limit of 0.01 mg kg −1 . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0464-z Authors S. K. Sahoo, Pesticide Residue Analysis Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab 141004, India Gagan Jyot, Pesticide Residue Analysis Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab 141004, India R. S. Battu, Pesticide Residue Analysis Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab 141004, India Balwinder Singh, Pesticide Residue Analysis Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab 141004, India Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Blood hemoglobin level, hematocrit value and erythrocyte count were reduced by 17.5, 17.4 and 15.9%, respectively, as compared to the controls, in Swiss mice treated intraperitoneally with hexavalent chromium (4 mg of potassium dichromate per Kg for 5 day per week) for 2 weeks. Echinocytic transformation of 33.8% erythrocytes, as revealed by both light and scanning electron microscopy, indicated the anemia to be hemolytic in nature. Leucopenia was apparent after 2 weeks (mean leucocyte count: 4.91 thousand c mm −1 ), but not 1 week of treatment (mean count: 6.43 thousand c mm −1 ), However, cytochemical studies indicated that chromium did not interfere with iron utilization for hemoglobin synthesis and also, did not cause denaturation of already synthesized hemoglobin. The study hints to the necessity of periodic monitoring of blood in workers of chromium-dependent tanneries of Kolkata, India. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0469-7 Authors Rina Rani Ray, Molecular Biology and Genetics Division, Department of Zoology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata, 700073 West Bengal, India Nirmal Kumar Sarkar, Molecular Biology and Genetics Division, Department of Zoology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata, 700073 West Bengal, India Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Flubendiamide insecticide is widely used in Indian subtropical condition to control lepidopteron pests mainly in rice and cotton. The present study reports leaching behaviour of flubendiamide, N 2 -[1,1-dimethyl-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl]-3-iodo- N 1 -[2-methyl-4-[1,2,2,2-tetrafluoro-1 (trifluoromethyl)ethyl] phenyl]-1,2-benzene dicarboxamide, in packed soil columns under different rainfall conditions. Flubendiamide did not leach out of the 25 cm long soil columns even after percolating water equivalent to 462.18 mm rainfall. After leaching with water equivalent to 462.18 mm rainfall, in analytical grade treatment, 68.06% of the recovered flubendiamide was the major amount present in 5–10 cm depth whereas in the formulation 67.22% of the recovered flubendiamide was confined to 0–5 cm depth. Results revealed that with percolating 160 mL of water residues of desiodo flubendiamide detected up to 20–25 cm layer along with 9.47% residues in this layer, indicating that metabolite is more mobile as compared to analytical grade flubendiamide and 39.35% SC formulation. Formulation slowed the downward mobility of flubendiamide in soil column. Flubendiamide is slightly mobile in sandy loam soil, but desiodo flubendiamide is relatively more mobile and may leach into ground water. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0429-2 Authors Shaon Kumar Das, Division of Agricultural Chemicals, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012 India Irani Mukherjee, Division of Agricultural Chemicals, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012 India Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Laboratory tests were conducted on 1-year-old rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss in a counter-current flow, steep-gradient chamber to evaluate their ability to detect and avoid copper and zinc at concentrations of 0.1 mg Cu/L and 1 mg Zn/L, respectively, after 10-day pre-exposure to five copper sublethal concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 mg Cu/L and after 10-day re-acclimation period in clean water. Avoidance response intensity in affected fish significantly decreased with increase in pre-exposure Cu concentration. The strength of avoidance response to Cu and Zn test solutions in pre-exposed fish after re-acclimation gradually increased in a concentration-dependent order. Content Type Journal Article Category Letter to Editor Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0426-5 Authors Gintaras Svecevičius, Laboratory of Hydrobiont Ecology and Physiology, Institute of Ecology of Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412 Vilnius-21, Lithuania Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Four paddy herbicides and their transformation products (TPs) were monitored in the Sakura River, Japan, during the rice growing seasons of 2009 and 2010. Toxicity tests to an attached diatom, Mayamaea atomus , and a green alga, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata , were also conducted. Clomeprop propionic acid, which forms from the degrading herbicide, was detected in the river water at much higher concentrations than the parent compound (the maximum concentration of the TP and the parent compound; 0.829–0.925 μg/L and 0.039–0.073 μg/L, respectively). The toxicity of the TPs to the diatom and green alga was relatively low; the 72-h median effective concentration (EC 50 ) value 〉 1,470 μg/L; for each compound, the maximum concentration in the river did not exceed the EC 50 value. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0416-7 Authors Takashi Iwafune, National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, 3-1-3 Kan-nondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8604 Japan Takahiro Ara, National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, 3-1-3 Kan-nondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8604 Japan Satoru Ishihara, Food and Agricultural Materials Inspection Center, 2-772 Suzuki-chou, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-0011 Japan Atsushi Yokoyama, National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, 3-1-3 Kan-nondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8604 Japan Takashi Nagai, National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, 3-1-3 Kan-nondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8604 Japan Takeshi Horio, National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, 3-1-3 Kan-nondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8604 Japan Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    The illegal disposal of tannery wastes at Rania, Kanpur has resulted in accumulation of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], a toxic heavy metal in soil posing risk to human health and environment. 27 soil samples were collected at various depths from Rania for the assessment of Cr(VI) level in soil. Out of 27 samples, five samples had shown significant level of Cr(VI) with an average concentration of 15.84 mg Kg −1 . Varied doses of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) were applied on Cr(VI) containing soil samples for remediation of Cr(VI). Results showed that 0.10 g L −1 nZVI completely reduces Cr(VI) within 120 min following pseudo first order kinetics. Further, to test the efficacy of nZVI in field, soil windrow experiments were performed at the contaminated site. nZVI showed significant Cr(VI) reduction at field also, indicating it an effective tool for managing sites contaminated with Cr(VI). Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0425-6 Authors Ritu Singh, Ecotoxicology Division, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research), Post Box 80, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, UP, 226 001 India Virendra Misra, Ecotoxicology Division, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research), Post Box 80, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, UP, 226 001 India Rana Pratap Singh, Department of Environmental Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, UP, 226 025 India Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    We investigated the effects of Cistanches herba (CH) on the male reproductive system in mice, assessing CREM gene expression and spermatogenesis. Our results demonstrate that CH treatment lead to a significant decrease in sperm count dose-dependently, 298.3 ± 48.9 vs. 296.6 ± 102.4 (250 mg/kg), 236.7 ± 75.1 (500 mg/kg), 223.0 ± 48.7 × 10 6 (1000 mg/kg), respectively. Additionally, serum testosterone levels decreased following CH treatment to as low as ~57% compared with the vehicle-treated group. CREM gene expression was also down-regulated following CH treatment and histological examination of the testicular seminiferous tubules showed severe damage on CH treatment. These results suggest that CH induces cytotoxicity in the male reproductive system, through the inhibition of spermatogenesis, testicular damage, and limited hormonal function. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0428-3 Authors San Woong Kim, Department of Prescriptionology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701 Republic of Korea Seung Hyeong Yoo, Department of Prescriptionology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701 Republic of Korea Hee Jae Lee, Department of Prescriptionology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701 Republic of Korea Kyudam Kim, Baylor School, 171 Baylor School Road, Chattanooga, TN 37405, USA Do Rim Kim, Department of Prescriptionology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701 Republic of Korea Seong Kyu Park, Department of Prescriptionology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701 Republic of Korea Mun Seog Chang, Department of Prescriptionology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701 Republic of Korea Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Approval of a new animal drug application for AQUAMYCIN 100 ® (erythromycin thiocyanate; ET) to treat freshwater salmonid species with bacterial kidney disease is being pursued in the US. As part of the approval process, ET’s impact on an aquatic environment had to be described in an environmental assessment. The environmental assessment was lacking data to characterize the effect ET would have on a chronically exposed aquatic invertebrate organism. A major step to fulfilling the environmental assessment was completed after conducting a comprehensive study continuously exposing Daphnia magna to ET for 21 days. Results indicated that the no observable effect concentration for ET was 179 μg/L. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0415-8 Authors Jeffery R. Meinertz, Biological Resources Division, US Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, WI 54603, USA Theresa M. Schreier, Biological Resources Division, US Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, WI 54603, USA Jeffry A. Bernardy, Biological Resources Division, US Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, WI 54603, USA Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Polycyclic aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons were analyzed in red mullet and annular sea bream from the Izmir Bay. These fishes were selected because of their multitude, wide distribution and common use in the Turkish diet; they were sampled and analyzed in 2000–2001 and 2004–2005 periods at five locations by trawling. Red mullet showed higher PAHs and aliphatics than annular sea bream. PAH levels for red mullet and annular sea bream ranged from 202 to 556 and 78.7 to 415; aliphatics ranged from 834 to 2,420 and 436 to 1,724 ng/g dw, respectively. Molecular ratios showed pyrolitic inputs for PAHs, biogenic and anthropogenic inputs for aliphatics. The carcinogenic PAH, benzo(a)pyrene, was detected in most fish samples in levels ranged between 22.2 and 64.1 ng/g dw. The average PAH contamination level was within the “moderate” category in fish from Izmir Bay. Results indicate the needing of a systematic monitoring program in order to provide accurately assessment and management of risks for the regional population. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0467-9 Authors Enis Darilmaz, Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology, Dokuz Eylul University, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey Filiz Kucuksezgin, Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology, Dokuz Eylul University, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    The toxic effect of sublethal concentrations (1, 17.5 and 35 mg L −1 ) of pure glyphosate was evaluated on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the fish species, Cnesterodon decemmaculatus . Acute bioassays (96 h) under laboratory conditions were conducted and homogenates for each specimen corresponding to the anterior, middle and posterior body sections were performed. Fish survival was 100%, even at the highest concentration tested (35 mg L −1 ), in accordance with the low lethal toxicity reported for glyphosate. However, a significant inhibitory effect on AChE activity was recorded even for the lowest herbicide concentration tested (1 mg L −1 ), in the homogenates corresponding to the anterior body section. The inhibition ranged from 23 to 36%. The analytical determination of glyphosate in assay media by ion chromatography, was used to verify its stability. These results indicate that AChE—a neurotoxicity biomarker—in C . decemmaculatus may be affected by exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of glyphosate. Content Type Journal Article Category Letter to Editor Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0423-8 Authors Renata J. Menéndez-Helman, INQUIMAE, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria-Pabellón 2, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina Gisele V. Ferreyroa, INQUIMAE, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria-Pabellón 2, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina Maria dos Santos Afonso, INQUIMAE, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria-Pabellón 2, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina Alfredo Salibián, PRODEA-INEDES, Universidad Nacional de Luján, B6700ZBA Luján, Argentina Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    The objective of this study was to determine whether fish collected from the La Miel or Nechí Rivers (Colombia) differed in muscle methyl mercury (meHg) concentration. Two fish from six different species were collected from markets adjacent to each river. Overall, fish collected from the market adjacent to the Nechí River contained higher levels of meHg. This result however is being driven by very high meHg concentrations in four individual fish, three of which are Pimelodid, long-whiskered catfish. These catfish may represent ideal sentinel organism for the detection of meHg contamination in Colombian rivers. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0458-x Authors Santiago Alvarez, Grupo de Investigación en Gestión y Modelación Ambiental-GAIA, Universidad de Antioquia, SIU Cl. 62 No. 52-59, Medellín, Colombia Ashley M. Jessick, Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986805 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA Jaime A. Palacio, Grupo de Investigación en Gestión y Modelación Ambiental-GAIA, Universidad de Antioquia, SIU Cl. 62 No. 52-59, Medellín, Colombia Alan S. Kolok, Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986805 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    A microwave assisted extraction (MAE) method for determination of thiamethoxam residues in vegetable and soil samples was standardized. Insecticide spiked vegetable and soil samples were extracted by MAE using water as an extraction solvent, cleaned up by solid phase extraction and analysed by high performance liquid chromatography on photodiode array detector. The recoveries of the insecticide from various vegetable (tomato, radish, brinjal, okra, French been, sugarbeet) and soil (sandy loam, silty clay loam, sandy clay loam, loamy sand) samples at 0.1 and 0.5 μg g −1 spiking levels ranged from 79.8% to 86.2% and from 82.1% to 87.0%, respectively. The recoveries by MAE were comparable to those obtained by the conventional blender and shake-flask extraction techniques. The precision of the MAE method was demonstrated by relative standard deviations of 〈3% for the insecticide. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0444-3 Authors Rajib Karmakar, Division of Agricultural Chemicals, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012 India Shashi Bala Singh, Division of Agricultural Chemicals, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012 India Gita Kulshrestha, Division of Agricultural Chemicals, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012 India Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    A method for residue analysis of flubendiamide and its metabolite desiodo flubendiamide was developed using high performance liquid chromatography. This method was then used to evaluate the residual level and dissipation rate of flubendiamide and desiodo flubendiamide in the tomato fruit. The half-life of flubendiamide in tomato fruit was 1.64 and 1.98 days in recommended and double of the recommended dose, respectively. Tomato fruit and soil samples analyzed on the 10th day after the last spray revealed that flubendiamide and its metabolite desiodo flubendiamide residues at below determination level (0.01 μg g −1 ) at either dose of application. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0461-2 Authors M. Paramasivam, Department of Agricultural Chemicals, AINP on Pesticide Residue Laboratory, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, 741235 West Bengal, India Hemanta Banerjee, Department of Agricultural Chemicals, AINP on Pesticide Residue Laboratory, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, 741235 West Bengal, India Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    The fluorescence excitation–emission matrix of Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) samples from rainwater collected at Rameswaram, Tamilnadu, India are analysed. Total five peaks were observed for humic/marine and protein likes substances respectively. The peak A and C intensities varies form 1.98 ± 0.28 and 0.97 ± 0.11 QSU respectively represents humic like substances. The peak B and T intensities varies from 3.94 ± 0.75 and 7.42 ± 1.43 QSU showed association of protein like substances whereas peak M intensities varies from 1.92 ± 0.37 QSU indicates marine contribution. Among the fluorophores, the following sequence were observed as T 〉 B 〉 A 〉 M 〉 C which indicates dominance of Tryptophan like substances in rainwater. The average peak T/C ratios was observed as 7.88 ± 2.2 indicates microbial contamination by Tryptophan-like substances with the high biological activity and low volatility. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0424-7 Authors P. R. Salve, Environmental Impact & Risk Assessment Division (EIRA Division), National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur, 440 020 Maharashtra, India H. Lohkare, Environmental Impact & Risk Assessment Division (EIRA Division), National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur, 440 020 Maharashtra, India T. Gobre, Environmental Impact & Risk Assessment Division (EIRA Division), National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur, 440 020 Maharashtra, India G. Bodhe, Analytical Instrument Division (AID), National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur, 440 020 Maharashtra, India R. J. Krupadam, Environmental Impact & Risk Assessment Division (EIRA Division), National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur, 440 020 Maharashtra, India D. S. Ramteke, Environmental Impact & Risk Assessment Division (EIRA Division), National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur, 440 020 Maharashtra, India S. R. Wate, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur, 440 020 Maharashtra, India Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    A total of 136 samples of tap water were collected from state and municipal schools between March and November 2009. The samples were filtered through cellulose nitrate membranes that were seeded at non-nutrient agar 1.5% containing an overlayer of Escherichia coli suspension. Thirty-one (22.79%) tap water samples investigated were found positive for free-living amoebae (FLA). From these, 13 presented as FLA that seems to belong to the genus Acanthamoeba. All samples of FLA were cloned and identified as belonging to the genus Acanthamoeba by the morphology of cysts and trophozoites and by PCR using genus-specific primers that amplify the ASA.S1 region of 18S rDNA gene. Physiological tests of thermotolerance and osmotolerance were used to evaluate the pathogenicity of the isolates. The sequencing analysis by comparing the sequences submitted to GenBank, showed genotype distribution into groups T2, T2/T6, T6, and T4. In tests of thermotolerance and osmotolerance, 50% of the isolates had a low pathogenic potential. The results indicated the presence of Acanthamoeba in tap water in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, revealing its importance and the need for more epidemiological studies to determine their distribution in the environment and its pathogenic potential. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-0003-5 Authors Mari Aline Todero Winck, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitogia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Setor de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, Porto Alegre, RS 90050-170, Brazil Karin Caumo, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitogia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Setor de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, Porto Alegre, RS 90050-170, Brazil Marilise Brittes Rott, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitogia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Setor de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, Porto Alegre, RS 90050-170, Brazil Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    The potential use of Brettanomyces anomalus PSY-001 as an additional starter culture for the production of Rice-steamed sponge cake (RSSC), a traditional fermented food in China, was investigated. Two productions of RSSC, each containing batches of experimental cakes with Brettanomyces added and reference cakes with the leavened liquid added were carried out. For both experimental and reference cakes, chemical analysis and sensory evaluation were carried out during the fermentation period. The results showed that experimental cakes had desirable aroma and taste. The observed differences indicate a positive contribution to the overall quality of RSSC by B. anomalus PSY-001. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-9997-y Authors Peng Wu, College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China Xiaoyun Xu, College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China Yongxia Xu, College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China Qingchan Chen, College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China Siyi Pan, College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    To study the prevalence and isoforms of the pathogenicity island ETT2 among pathogenic Escherichia coli , as well as to determine the relationship between the ETT2 locus and other virulence factors, PCR amplifications target to the 35 ETT2-associated genes were established and used to investigate the presence of the ETT2 locus in 168 E. coli isolates from weaned piglets with edema and/or diarrhea or dairy cows with mastitis. The results showed that the ETT2 locus could be identified in the pathogenic E. coli isolates from colibacillosis in pigs and in the ones from mastitis in cows, but the presence of ETT2 among the isolates of porcine origin were significantly higher (85.87%) than that (47.37%) of bovine origin. Furthermore, 11 ETT2 isoforms were found in this research, including an intact form and 10 deletion types. The intact ETT2 was the prevalent form among the pathogenic E. coli isolates of porcine origin, and highly associated with the presence of shigatoxin type 2e (Stx2e), while the great majority isolates of bovine origin just carried various deletion types, and no distinct association with other virulence factors, e.g., the presence/absence of LT1, ST2, Cnf2, Tra, HPI, Hly, and F17a fimbriae. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-0032-0 Authors DaRong Cheng, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 China ShanYuan Zhu, Jiangsu Animal Husbandry and Veterinary College, Taizhou, 225300 China ZhiRui Su, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 China WeiYong Zuo, Jiangsu Animal Husbandry and Veterinary College, Taizhou, 225300 China Hui Lu, Jiangsu Animal Husbandry and Veterinary College, Taizhou, 225300 China Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    Carp ( Cyprinus carpio L.) was exposed to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs)—perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (number of carbon atoms, C = 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, and 18) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)—in bioconcentration tests to compare the bioconcentration factors (BCFs) and physicochemical properties of each specific compound. Despite having the same number of carbon atoms (C = 8), the BCFs of perfulorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and PFOS differed by more than two orders of magnitude (PFOA BCF = 〈 5.1 to 9.4; PFOS BCF = 720 to 1300). The highest BCFs were obtained from perfluorododecanoic acid (BCF = 10,000 to 16,000) and perfluorotetradecanoic acid (BCF = 16,000 to 17,000). The longest observed depuration half-lives were for perfluorohexadecanoic acid (48 to 54 days) and PFOS (45 to 52 days). The concentrations of PFCs were highest in the viscera, followed by the head, integument, and remaining parts of the test fish. PFCs concentrations in the integument, which was in direct contact with the test substances, were relatively greater than that of other lipophilic substance (hexachlorobenzene). It is likely that Clog P would be a better parameter than log K ow for the prediction of BCFs for PFCs. Threshold values for PFCs bioaccumulation potential (molecular weight = 700, maximum diameter = 2 nm) seemed to deviate from those generally reported because of the specific steric bulk effect of molecule size. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9730-7 Authors Yoshiyuki Inoue, Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute, CERI Kurume, 3-2-7 Miyanojin, Kurume-shi, Fukuoka, 839-0801 Japan Naoki Hashizume, Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute, CERI Kurume, 3-2-7 Miyanojin, Kurume-shi, Fukuoka, 839-0801 Japan Naoaki Yakata, Chemicals Assessment and Research Center, Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute, 1600 Shimotakano, Sugito-machi, Kitakatsusika-gun, Saitama, 345-0043 Japan Hidekazu Murakami, Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute, CERI Kurume, 3-2-7 Miyanojin, Kurume-shi, Fukuoka, 839-0801 Japan Yasuyuki Suzuki, Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute, CERI Kurume, 3-2-7 Miyanojin, Kurume-shi, Fukuoka, 839-0801 Japan Erina Kikushima, Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute, CERI Kurume, 3-2-7 Miyanojin, Kurume-shi, Fukuoka, 839-0801 Japan Masanori Otsuka, Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute, CERI Kurume, 3-2-7 Miyanojin, Kurume-shi, Fukuoka, 839-0801 Japan Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    Straighthead is a physiological disorder of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) that results in sterile florets with distorted lemma and palea, and the panicles or heads may not form at all in extreme cases. Heads remain upright at maturity, hence the name ‘straighthead’. The diseased panicles may not emerge from the flag leaf sheath when the disease is severe. Straighthead disease in rice results in poorly developed panicles and significant yield loss. Although other soil physicochemical factors involved, arsenic contamination in soil has also been reported to be closely associated with straighthead of rice. Monosodium methanearsonate has been a popular herbicide in cotton production in the USA, which has shown to cause injuries in rice that are similar to straighthead. Since toxicity of inorganic arsenic (iAs) is higher than other forms of arsenic, it may produce a more severe straighthead disorder in rice. The use of iAs-rich groundwater for irrigation, and the increase of iAs concentrations in agricultural soil in arsenic epidemic South and South-East Asia may cause a high incidence of straighthead in rice, resulting in a threat to sustainable rice production in this region. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0490-x Authors M. Azizur Rahman, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa, 920-1192 Japan M. Mamunur Rahman, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa, 920-1192 Japan Hiroshi Hasegawa, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa, 920-1192 Japan Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    DR-Congo is a main world producer of copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co). Several hydrometallurgical plants and smelters also produced zinc, arsenic, and cadmium as by-products. In Sudbury (Canada), the production of nickel, copper and other metals has been maintained at high levels while industrial SO 2 emissions have been reduced by approximately 90% through combination of industrial technological developments and legislated controls. Metal analysis in the present study revealed that the levels of copper and cobalt in soils from mining sites in the Lubumbashi (DR-Congo) were up to 200 fold higher compared to contaminated Sudbury sites and tailings. Zinc content in soil samples from some mining areas in Lubumbashi was at least 70 times higher compared to samples from the Sudbury area. Nickel content in soil samples from Lubumbashi were much lower compared to the Sudbury Region samples. Overall, this study confirms that the African Copper belt region is among the ten most polluted areas in the world. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0485-7 Authors R. Narendrula, Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON P3E-2C6, Canada K. K. Nkongolo, Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON P3E-2C6, Canada P. Beckett, Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON P3E-2C6, Canada Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    For five agricultural regions in California, USA, detection frequency of diazinon in surface water and several aspects of its use were determined from recent data (2005–2010): application method, product formulation and primary crops. Diazinon detection frequencies ranged from 10% to 91%. Application method and product formulations used were similar in all regions. The primary crops treated varied from lettuce (77%) in the regions with highest detections frequencies to tree crops (53%) in those with the lowest. The results suggest that the variation in diazinon detection frequencies likely was not due to the application method or formulation type. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0488-4 Authors Xuyang Zhang, Environmental Monitoring Branch, California Department of Pesticide Regulation, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95812, USA Keith Starner, Environmental Monitoring Branch, California Department of Pesticide Regulation, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95812, USA Kean S. Goh, Environmental Monitoring Branch, California Department of Pesticide Regulation, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95812, USA Sheryl Gill, Environmental Monitoring Branch, California Department of Pesticide Regulation, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95812, USA Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    A collection of 94 unusual members of the Enterobacteriaceae were screened for the presence of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) using the MicroScan ESβL plus dried confirmation panel. Presumptively positive strains were then confirmed for the presence of an ESBL by double disk diffusion, E-test strips (AB Biodisk, Solna, Sweden) and PCR for SHV, TEM, and CTX-M2 genes. Of the 18 strains initially positive on the ESβL panel only three strains ( Leminorella grimontii , Klebsiella ozaenae , and Kluyvera ascorbata ) were positive by confirmation methods. These results suggest laboratories should be cautious regarding the methodology employed in screening for the presence of ESBLs in enteric bacteria. However, it should be noted that of the 94 strains, 29 were found to be resistant to two or more of the antibiotics present in the MicroScan ESβL plus panel indicating that there are potential treatment issues with these organisms despite their lack of ESBLs. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00284-011-0057-4 Authors Sharon L. Abbott, Microbial Diseases Laboratory, CA State Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA Janice A. Lidgard, Microbial Diseases Laboratory, CA State Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA Wendy K. W. Cheung, Microbial Diseases Laboratory, CA State Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA Martha N. Obeso, Microbial Diseases Laboratory, CA State Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA Zenda L. Berrada, Microbial Diseases Laboratory, CA State Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA J. Michael Janda, Microbial Diseases Laboratory, CA State Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA Journal Current Microbiology Online ISSN 1432-0991 Print ISSN 0343-8651

Description:    Curcumin is well known for its potent antioxidant activity. The result of numerous studies showed that antioxidants can protect against fluoride-induced toxicity. In the present study, protective effects of curcumin against sodium fluoride-induced toxicity in rat erythrocytes were evaluated. Curcumin (10 and 20 mg/kg) and vitamin C (10 mg/kg) were administrated intraperitoneally for 1 week followed by sodium fluoride (600 ppm) treatment for next week. Erythrocytes were isolated and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities as well as the levels of reduced glutathione, and lipid peroxidation were measured. The level of malondialdehyde in sodium fluoride treated rats (595.13 ± 20.23 nmol/g Hb) increased compared to the normal rats (315.44 ± 9.76 nmol/g Hb). Animals which were pretreated with curcumin at 20 mg/kg for 1 week prior to sodium fluoride intoxication showed significant reduction in the malondialdehyde level (320.22 ± 9.28 nmol/g Hb). Also, pretreated with curcumin (20 mg/kg) and vitamin C restored the superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and modified the level of reduced glutathione compared with control group ( p  〉 0.01). Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0495-5 Authors Seyed Fazel Nabavi, Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, P.O.Box: 19945-546, Tehran, Iran Seyed Mohammad Nabavi, Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, P.O.Box: 19945-546, Tehran, Iran Fatemeh Abolhasani, Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, P.O.Box: 19945-546, Tehran, Iran Akbar Hajizadeh Moghaddam, Department of Biology, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran Shahram Eslami, Medical Sciences University of Mazandaran, Sari, Iran Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Naïve grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio were pulse-fed cadmium-contaminated meals containing carbon-14, fluorescent or near-infrared markers and analyzed for carbon assimilation efficiency, gut residence time, feces elimination rate, extracellular digestive protease activity or gut pH. Carbon assimilation efficiency (~83%), minimum gut residence time (~435 min) and proventriculus pH (~5.29 to ~6.01) were not impacted significantly by cadmium ingestion. A dose-dependent decrease in feces elimination rate (from ~14.4 to ~6.4 mm h −1 ) was observed for shrimp for 2 h following minimum gut residence time. Protease activities increased ~2.4-fold over the range of dietary cadmium exposures, however, this variation was not dose-dependent. Differential impacts of cadmium exposure on carbon and cadmium assimilation reported previously are consistent with work involving shrimp subjected to chronic field exposure. The influence of ingested cadmium on feces elimination rate may be related to pre-assimilatory impacts on packaging, intestinal transport or release of feces. Protease activities may have been influenced by pre-assimilatory interactions between available cadmium ions in gut fluid and enzyme-secreting cells of the hepatopancreatic epithelium or direct impacts on active enzymes. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0493-7 Authors David R. Seebaugh, Department of Biology, College of Staten Island, City University of New York, 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA William G. Wallace, Department of Biology, College of Staten Island, City University of New York, 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA William J. L’Amoreaux, Department of Biology, College of Staten Island, City University of New York, 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA Gillian M. Stewart, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Queens College, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367, USA Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    Trace metals Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe) were analyzed in edible portions of three main finfish species namely Lates niloticus , Oreochromis niloticus and Rastrineobola argentea sampled from various beaches of Winam Gulf, Lake Victoria, Kenya, in order to determine any seasonal and site variations and the results showed significantly ( p  〈 0.05) higher mean concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn and Fe during the wet season compared to the dry season for all the three species indicating the impact of wash-off into the lake during the rainy periods. The overall mean concentrations of the heavy metals (in μg/g dry weight) in all combined samples ranged from 0.17–0.40 (Cd), 0.47–2.53 (Pb), 2.13–8.74 (Cu), 28.9–409.3 (Zn) and 31.4–208.1 (Fe), respectively. It was found that consumption of Rastrineobola argentea can be a significant source of heavy metals especially Zn, to humans, compared with Lates niloticus and Oreochromis niloticus , if only the muscle parts of the latter two are consumed. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0472-z Authors David M. K. Ongeri, Department of Chemistry, Maseno University, P.O. Box 333, Maseno, Kenya Joseph O. Lalah, Department of Chemical Science and Technology, Kenya Polytechnic University College, P.O. Box 52428, 00200 City Square, Nairobi, Kenya Shem O. Wandiga, Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Karl-Werner Schramm, Institute of Ecological Chemistry, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German National Research Centre for Environmental Health, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany Bernard Michalke, Institute of Ecological Chemistry, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German National Research Centre for Environmental Health, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861

Description:    In this paper, toxicity values of alkylpolyglucosides have been determined by applying the 24-h immobilization test with Daphnia magna , the LumiStox ® 300 test which employs the luminescent bacteria Photobacterium phosphoreum and the test with Selenastrum capricornutum . Three alkylpolyglucosides with different alkyl chain and degree of polymerisation have been tested. For all tests, the results indicated that Vibrio fischeri was more sensitive to toxic effects from alkylpolyglucosides than was D . magna or S . capricornutum . The results demonstrate considerable variation in toxicity responses within structurally related glucose-based surfactants regardless of the species tested. The toxicity increased as the critical micelle concentration decreased, and as the alkyl chain length and resultant hydrophobicity increased. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00128-011-0479-5 Authors E. Jurado, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain M. Fernández-Serrano, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain J. Núñez Olea, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain M. Lechuga, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain J. L. Jiménez, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain F. Ríos, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain Journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0800 Print ISSN 0007-4861