Features of accumulation,migration, and transformation of benzo[a]pyrene in soil-plant system in a model condition of soil contamination

Journal of Soils and Sediments - The investigation of accumulation, migration, and transformation features of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in a soil-plant system by using new ecologically friendly...     

Plant contamination by heavy metals in the impact zone of Novocherkassk Power Station in the south of Russia

Journal of Soils and Sediments - The aim of this study is the assessment of Ni, Mn, Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr and Zn accumulation by different herbaceous species and soils on the technogenic areas around...     

The presence of Rickettsia is associated with increased susceptibility of Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) to insecticides

BACKGROUND: The presence of certain symbiotic microorganisms may be associated with insecticide resistance in insects. The authors compared the susceptibility of two isofemale lines, Rickettsia-plus and Rickettsia-free, of the sweet potato whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) to major insecticides from different chemical groups, including imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, pyriproxyfen, spiromesifen and diafenthiuron. RESULTS: While the Rickettsia-plus and Rickettsia-free lines showed no differences in their susceptibility to imidacloprid and diafenthiuron, higher susceptibility of the Rickettsia-plus line to acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, spiromesifen and especially pyriproxyfen was observed. LC(90) values indicated that the Rickettsia-free line was 15-fold more resistant to pyriproxyfen than the Rickettsia-plus line. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that the infection status of B. tabaci populations by Rickettsia is an important consideration that should be taken into account when performing resistance monitoring studies, and may help in understanding the dynamics of B. tabaci resistance, symbiont-pest associations in agricultural systems and the biological impact of Rickettsia on whitefly biology.     

Effects of feeding buffering mineral mixture on subacute rumen acidosis and some production traits in dairy cows

This trial was designed in order to evaluate the incidence of subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) during early lactation and to investigate the possibilities for its prevention by use of a buffering mineral mixture. On the beginning of the trial it was found that the pH value of rumen fluid in 4 animals was lower than normal (pH < 6.0) and that 20% of animals have had SARA. The control and the experimental group of cows were fed the same meal with exception of concentrated feed which in the experimental group contained the mineral mix with buffering activity in amount of 1%. Continuous addition of buffering mineral mixture in the amount of 1% in concentrated feed for early lactation cows successfully prevents SARA formation and leads to increased milk production, as well as increased milk fat and protein content.     

A one-stage model of experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis in rats

AIM: To establish a one-stage model of experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) in rats characterized by the simplicity of performance and a high degree of repeatability. METHODS: ANP modeling in rats was performed based on modification of the ligation model as follows: synthetic material ligature using an atraumatic needle was performed to capture pancreatic gland ducts and marginal duodenum vessels. Ligature tips were exteriorized to the abdominal wall, and the ligature was skinned over to avoid catching intestine loops. Pancreatic macroscopic appearance and histological changes were observed. Blood biochemical and hemostatic indicators were also determined. RESULTS: Laboratory analysis of rats with experimental ANP showed a pattern of disturbances similar to that observed during pancreatic necrosis in humans as soon as the first day. General blood analysis revealed enhanced leukocytosis and alterations in leukogram characteristics, indicating acute inflammation. Serum levels of amylase, aspartate aminotransferase and creatinine significantly increased (P<0.05). Hemostatic indicators showed alterations indicating formation of disseminated intravascular coagulation, and signs of endotoxicosis were observed. These typical pancreatic necrosis patterns of disturbances were validated by the results of histological investigation. CONCLUSION: Histological changes and laboratory indicators confirm the development of a suitable model of ANP.     

Petroleum Products and Phenols in Snow Cover in Khabarovsk, Southern Russian Far East

To have a better understanding of the industrial organic contamination of the city of Khabarovsk, southern Russian Far East, snow cover of the winter seasons of 2009?C2010 and 2010?C2011 was sampled at the end of March of 2010 and 2011 at six sites (and at eight sites in 2011) of the urban area and on the adjacent snow cover of the Amur River. The samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry techniques for petroleum products and phenols. The main groups of the detected pollutants were n-alkanes, isoalkanes, paraffins, phenols, and phthalates. The total concentration of the petroleum products was 0.08?C2.84?mg/L, volatile phenols 0.17?C3.61???g/L. 4-Nitrophenol has been found among the phenols (0.22?C1.65???g/L). The minimum toxicant concentrations were found in background sites (first hundred meters) off the urban highways, and the maximum, in dumps of snow from the urban highways and the vicinities of Heat Power-3. Of aromatic compounds, insignificant amounts of isopropylbenzene (0.5???g/L) and xylenes (0.2?C0.3???g/L) and a high content of ethylbenzene (1.3???g/L) originated from local emission were found. For the unpolluted sites, identification of n-alkanes revealed high-molecular paraffins C₂₆?CC₃₃ (50?% of the total n-alkane content); fractions in the range of C₁₉?CC₂₁ and C₂₄ were found for the snow dumps, 55.0?% and 90.0?% of the total alkane content in 2010 and 2011, correspondingly. These compounds originated most probably from the wasted diesel fuel and mineral greases (derivatives). The study indicated the dangerous level of the Khabarovsk urban atmosphere deterioration with a range of organic pollutants of transport and industrial origin. The snow (and rain) urban runoff may affect the local soil and water ecosystems subsequently.     

Impact of controlled redox conditions on nickel in a serpentine soil

Purpose  

Serpentine soils exist in many regions around the world; they are naturally enriched with nickel (Ni). An adequate understanding of soil processes determining Ni solubility is a special need particularly since less research has been addressed to Ni behavior under dynamic and controlled redox conditions. Our aim was (1) to characterize the properties of a serpentine soil and (2) to determine the impact of predefined redox windows on the mobility and dynamics of Ni in a serpentine soil.     

Sorption and persistence of wastewater-borne psychoactive and antilipidemic drugs in soils

Purpose  

Although the ubiquity of pharmaceuticals in treated wastewater has now been well documented, their fate and risk during beneficial wastewater reuse are far less understood. Soil sorption and degradation are important processes affecting the leaching potential of trace contaminants in irrigated soil. To this end, we examined the sorption and attenuation of six psychoactive and antilipidemic drugs, i.e., carbamazepine, diazepam, Dilantin, meprobamate, primidone, and gemfibrozil, in a loam (LVL) and a loamy sand representative of golf course soils in the southwestern United States.