Management of human health risk in the context of kitchen gardens polluted by lead and cadmium near a lead recycling company

Purpose

At the global scale, gardening activities are often performed in urban areas with a historical background of pollution. In this study, a participatory program was developed with citizens concerned by gardening activities near a 50-year-old regulated lead recycling company, with the aim of co-constructing the tools for the assessment and management of potential sanitary risks induced by historic pollution with persistent (eco) toxic metals: lead and cadmium.

Materials and methods

Soils and vegetables (lettuce, leek, celery, carrot, chard, pumpkin, and celeriac) samples were collected from four kitchen gardens neighboring a 50-year-old secondary lead smelter. Both total and in vitro human bioaccessible metal concentrations in the cultivated plants were measured in relation to soil characteristics.

Results and discussion

The results showed that the soils of these gardens were slightly contaminated by metals (Pb, 77 to 236 mg kg^?1; and Cd, 0.5 to 1 mg kg^?1) in comparison with the natural geologic background. However, significant pollution of vegetables can occur especially with lead (Pb up to 9.8 mg kg^?1 in lettuce) and certainly as a result of direct foliar transfer. The washing of plants before consumption is therefore recommended in the context of atmospheric fallout of ultrafine particles enriched with metals.

Conclusions

Metal bioaccessibility measure integrates the influence of metal type, plant type, and soil physico-chemical properties. Based on the results, it is proposed that human bioaccessible fraction of metals may also be currently taken into account as well as total metal quantities and bioaccumulation factors in risk assessment studies performed in gardens. Overall, this study has led to reflections and functional recommendations aimed at reducing human exposure and to finally developing sustainable gardening practices.

     

Effect of organic manure and the endogeic earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus (Oligochaeta: Glossoscolecidae) on soil fertility and bean production

A biofertilisation assay was conducted in Maripasoula (French Guiana), testing the effects of three different organic amendments (manioc peels, sawdust and wood charcoal) and the inoculation of the endogeic earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus on pod production of Vigna unguiculata sesquipedalis and on soil chemical properties (pH, C, N, total and exchangeable P and K). Pod production was highest with manioc peels as available P increased in the soil. Wood charcoal also had a beneficial effect on pod production as it decreased acidity and increased the C:N ratio in the soil. In sawdust-amended soil, pod production did not differ from that in unamended soil. Inoculation of earthworms at a density of 80 sub-adults m^-2 did not significantly affect either pod production or soil nutrient content directly, although it increased the positive effect of manioc peels on pod production. Soil nutrient content, pod production and earthworm density at the end of the experiment were negatively correlated with soil moisture and positively with each other. Despite the strong effect of moisture, this assay demonstrated an interaction between the earthworm P. corethrurus and the legume V. unguiculata sesquipedalis mediated by soil nutrient content and organic matter inputs. We conclude that manioc peels improved soil P availability and were an interesting amendment for legume crops. We discuss also the effect of earthworm inoculation.     

The correlation between in-situ,real-time aerosol photoemission intensity and particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentration in combustion aerosols

Aerosol photoemission (APE) has been found to be an excellent surrogate measure of particulate PAH concentration in combustion aerosols under a variety of laboratory and field conditions. Samples of oil stove, automobile exhaust, and urban air particulate matter were concurrently analyzed for aerosol photoemission intensity and particulate PAH concentration. In-situ, real-time analysis of the particulate matter was performed by UV-induced electron photoemission. Two photon energies, 4.9 and 6.7 eV, were chosen for irradiation. The latter energy was more sensitive and less selective. Particulate PAH concentrations were determined by collecting the particulate matter on a filter, solvent extracting the filter, and analyses of the extracts by gas chromatography / mass spectroscopy. Linear correlations (0.84≤r²≤1.00) were observed between aerosol photoemission intensities and the sum of particulate PAH concentrations for laboratory and field studies under a wide variety of conditions. The studies performed to date cover a dynamic range of three orders of magnitude (1 to 1000 ng / m³). The time resolution is in the order of a few seconds.     

Molecular modeling of syringyl and p-hydroxyphenyl beta-O-4 dimers. Comparative study of the computed and experimental conformational properties of lignin beta-O-4 model compounds

As a new approach for the study of the ultrastructure of lignin, the conformational preferences of lignin beta-O-4 model compounds have been investigated by molecular modeling. The computed results have been compared with the experimental data (X-ray crystal structures and (3)J(H)(alpha)(H)(beta) NMR coupling constant values) reported in the literature. This comparison has led to an improved understanding of the influence of the structure, stereochemistry, and intramolecular H-bonding upon the conformational properties of the beta-O-4 dimers. A large number of low-energy conformations have been predicted for the structures. It has also appeared that the conformational features are predominantly governed by local steric interactions rather than by differences in the H-bonding interactions. The threo and erythro forms differ significantly in their conformational features, with a preferential extended overall shape for the threo form in which the bulky aromatic groups are distant from each other.     

Numerical modeling of water balance for temporary landfill cover in North Germany

At the end of waste disposal in 2005, a temporary mineral system was constructed to cover the waste body of the municipal landfill in Rastorf (N Germany). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this temporary cover system in limiting the infiltration of surface water into the waste body. The numerical modeling for the hydrological year 2012 was performed in FEFLOW 6.0. The required input data for modeling were achieved by laboratory measurements of the saturated hydraulic conductivity and the water retention characteristics of the mineral layers. The assumed initial and boundary conditions were based on in‐situ measurements of matrix potential and volumetric water content at three different measuring points by tensiometers, FDR sensors and observed meteorological conditions. The model was applied according to Darcy's and Richards' equations for variably saturated flow. Our results allowed assessing the components of water balance for a temporary cover system, especially water seepage into the waste body. The correlation between the measured and modeled volumetric soil water content in the layered temporary cover system was observed (R² = 0.56 to 0.90). Deviations between the measured and modeled values are superficially related to the soil´s heterogeneity. In conclusion, the measured and modeled water balance parameters indicate that the temporary coverage system remains effective in limiting the infiltration rate. However, our studies revealed that the calculated and measured water seepage exceeded the values allowable by the German regulations. Additional studies have to assess variations in the soil water characteristics caused by weather‐related wetting and drying cycles and influence of waste settlement changing the profile of slope.     

Pathogenesis of experimental combined infections with Isospora suis and rotavirus in conventional and gnotobiotic piglets

51 gnotobiotic and 63 conventional, one-, or two-days-old piglets were divided into five groups and infected orally either with Isospora suis or rotavirus alone, or with both agents simultaneously or successively with alternative sequences and various intervals. 15 gnotobiotic and 10 conventional piglets served as controls. The development of small intestinal lesions after infection with I. suis was biphasic. The dominant alteration resulting from rotavirus infection was villus atrophy, considerably more pronounced and extensive in gnotobiotic than in conventional piglets. Synergistic action of I. suis and rotavirus was manifested both clinically, and morphologically. This action culminated at the time of the actual, or presumed development of merogony of I. suis, i.e. on DPI 3 to 5. The action develops only if the intestinal epithelium is damaged functionally and morphologically by a preceding rotavirus infection. It is concluded that the synergistic action is based on a competition of rotavirus and I. suis for mature, enzymatically active absorptive cells.     

Neue wirksame Mittel gegen Kornk?fer und andere Vorratssch?dlinge

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Repair of fracture of the proximal portion of the radius and ulna in a llama

Repair of a comminuted fracture of the proximal portion of the radius and ulna in a 4-month-old llama was achieved by use of internal fixation. An 8-hole narrow dynamic compression plate was applied to the lateral aspect of the radius and a 7-hole narrow dynamic compression plate was applied to the cranial aspect of the radius. One year after surgery, the llama had a normal gait and the cosmetic appearance of the limb was excellent.