Nitrogen isotopic composition of leached nitrate and soil organic matter as an indicator of denitrification in a sloping drained agricultural plot and adjacent uncultivated riparian buffer strips

In the small, agricultural, artificially drained Orgeval watershed δ¹⁵N values of leached nitrates and soil organic nitrogen were found to be significantly higher than the primary nitrogen (N) sources from which they are derived, namely, synthetic fertilizers, atmospheric deposition, and symbiotic or nonsymbiotic N₂ fixation (all with δ¹⁵N close to zero). In vertical soil profiles, the δ¹⁵N of organic N increased with depth, reaching higher values (up to 8‰) particularly at stations that were frequently waterlogged as judged from ochre iron traces, such as downhill field sites or in riparian buffer strips. Nitrification, volatilization, and denitrification are the main fractionating processes able to modify the isotopic composition of soil N. Using a newly designed algorithm for calculating the equilibrium isotopic composition of all soil N species, resulting from the average annual balance of their transformations, we show that the observed trends can be explained by the action of denitrification. We suggest that the isotopic composition of soil organic N can be used as a semiquantitative indicator of the intensity of denitrification integrated over century-long periods.     

Detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels in milk collected near potential contamination sources

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), mainly formed by incomplete anthropogenic organic matter combustion, are ubiquitous in the environment. To assess milk PAH contamination sources, milk samples were collected from the tank milk at farms located near potential contaminating emission sources such as cementworks, steelworks, and motorways. PAH analyses were carried out by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Eight PAHs were identified in milk: naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, and benzo[a]anthracene. For all potential contaminating sources, these eight PAHs were detected with similar profiles and at low concentrations except for fluorene and naphthalene, for which source-molecule interaction is pointed out.     

Evolution of antioxidant capacity during storage of selected fruits and vegetables

Interest in the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is, to a large extent, due to its content of bioactive nutrients and their importance as dietary antioxidants. Among all of the selected fruits and vegetables, strawberries and black grapes have relatively high antioxidant capacities associated with high contents of total phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, and flavonols. More interesting, the results of this study indicated that in most fruits and vegetables storage did not affect negatively the antioxidant capacity. Better, in some cases, an increase of the antioxidant capacity was observed in the days following their purchase, accompanied by an increase in phenolic compounds. In general, fruits and vegetables visually spoil before any significant antioxidant capacity loss occurs except in banana and broccoli. When ascorbic acid or flavonoids (aglycons of flavonols and anthocyanins) were concerned, the conclusions were similar. Their content was generally stable during storage.     

Changes in red wine soluble polysaccharide composition induced by malolactic fermentation

The polysaccharide content of wine is generally assumed to originate from grapes and yeasts, independent of bacterial metabolism, except for the action of certain spoilage species. This study shows that malolactic fermentation (MLF) significantly modifies the soluble polysaccharide (SP) concentration of various red Bordeaux wines. Wines with the highest initial SP concentration go on to present decreased SP concentration, whereas those with the lowest initial SP concentration rather go on to have a higher SP concentration after MLF. These tendencies were observed whatever the Oenococcus oeni strain (indigenous or starter) used for MLF. Neutral and charged SPs were affected, but to a degree that depended on the microorganisms driving the MLF. The SP modifications were directly linked to bacterial development, because non MLF controls did not present any significant change of SP concentration.     

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in coffee brew using solid-phase extraction

The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coffee has been reported and is suspected to be due to the degradation of coffee compounds during the roasting step. Due to the high toxicity of these compounds, among which benzo[a]pyrene is known to be the most carcinogenic, their presence in the coffee, especially the coffee brew that is directly ingested by the consumer, is of prime importance. However, due to the low solubility of these compounds, their concentrations are expected to be rather low. As a consequence, reliable and sensitive analytical methods are required. The aim of this study was to develop a reliable and fast analytical procedure to determine these organic micropollutants in coffee brew samples. PAHs were retained on a 0.5 g polystyrene-divinylbenzene cartridge before being eluted by a mixture of methanol/tetrahydrofuran (10:90 v/v), concentrated, and directly analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a fluorescence detector. Application to the determination of PAHs in several coffee brew samples is also given, with mean estimated concentrations in the range of 0-100 ng L(-1) for suspected benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene, whereas no fluoranthene could be detected. Tentative identification was made on the basis of UV spectra. However, identification of the suspected traces of PAHs could not be achieved due to matrix effects, so that the presence of coeluting compounds may not be excluded.     

Characterization of suspended particulate matter in the Moselle River (Lorraine,France): evolution along the course of the river and in different hydrologic regimes

Purpose

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) plays an important role in the transport and fate of contaminants in the environment. To better understand the relationships between contaminants and SPM, SPM properties, and their variations with flow regime, river size, land use, and season should be considered.

Materials and methods

The grain size distribution, elemental composition, and mineralogy of SPM from different stations along the Moselle River (Lorraine, France) were investigated at the particle scale during different flow regimes. The resulting data were compared with the elemental composition of the dissolved compartment to understand the role of particles in element transport.

Results and discussion

The grain size distribution, elemental composition, and mineralogy of SPM along the Moselle River and during different flow regimes showed only slight variations, except for the Fensch and Orne tributaries, two rivers that were impacted by inherited steel-making industrialization and different land use. In the Moselle River, SPM mainly consisted of clay minerals, while in Fensch and Orne Rivers, SPM mainly consisted of multiple types of anthropogenic particles. The diffuse urbanization gradient was hardly recognized based on the Trace Metal Element (TMEs) content in the river SPM, while the rivers impacted by the steel industries had greater TME contents. Finally, the TME content in the Moselle SPM was more strongly influenced by water flow than by the position of sampling on the linear reach of the Moselle River. The partitioning of TMEs in the particles and water at the main Moselle station (Frouard) revealed that SPM predominantly contributed to TMEs transport.

Conclusions

This study confirmed that catchment geology greatly contributed to the SPM composition in the mean-sized rivers. In addition, the high anthropogenic pressure could be deciphered for small tributaries. Furthermore, this study allowed us to observe the high contribution of particles to TMEs and Rare Earth Element (REEs) transportation.

     

Influence of cultivar, harvest time, storage conditions, and peeling on the antioxidant capacity and phenolic and ascorbic acid contents of apples and pears

Apple and pear fruits are important sources of secondary plant metabolites and one of the major sources of dietary phenolics consumed all year round. The aim of this work was to identify the main variables influencing phenolic content and antioxidant capacity in apples. Higher phenolic and antioxidant contents were observed in some varieties (such as the Delbar Estival apple and Durondeau pear). Storage conditions were important. Our results also showed that fruits should be consumed rapidly after purchase and with their peel. After one week of domestic storage, the ascorbic acid content was found to decrease by 75%. Peeling led to a more than 25% decrease in total phenolics and ascorbic acid. The harvest time (at normal ripeness) had only a limited impact, but significant year-to-year variations were observed. In conclusion, well-chosen and well-stored apples and pears may contribute to an antioxidant-rich diet if consumed rapidly and with their peel.