Different Levels Of Environmental Pollution Research Articles

Karyological Study of Acanthocephalus lucii (Echinorhynchida): The Occurrence of B Chromosomes in Populations from PCB-Polluted Waters

In this study, we performed a cytogenetic analysis of Acanthocephalus lucii specimens from three sites with different levels of environmental pollution. Standard and fluorochrome staining (CMA3/DAPI), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with 18S rDNA and histone H3 probes, and silver impregnation were performed. Chromosome complements of 2n = 7/8 (male/female), n = 1m + 2sm + 1a (X), and CMA3-positive bands in all chromosomes were found in all three populations. FISH revealed one 18S rDNA locus on the X chromosome and one locus of H3 histone genes on the first chromosome pair. At the intraspecific level, the populations differed in the presence of supernumerary B chromosomes, which were found in all specimens from Zemplínska Šírava and in 89.4% of specimens from the Laborec River, but not at the reference site. The first two sites are considered to be water bodies with high toxin contamination. Based on this fact, we assume an increased frequency of chromosome breaks leading to the formation of DNA fragments that have the potential to form B chromosomes. The present results add to the very limited data on the organization of multigene families in the genome of Acanthocephala and suggest a possible causal link between water pollution and the occurrence of B chromosomes in fish parasites.

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING USING ADOLESCENTS’ SALIVA IN OMSK

Introduction: An effective way to improve the quality of public health is to search for early, pre-pathological changes in the body under the influence of many technogenic factors, which will make it possible to make predictions of the pre-nosological state for the future. Aim: To assess the impact of the environment on the biochemical parameters of saliva in adolescents living in areas with different levels of environmental stress. Methods: The study involved 90 adolescents aged 14 to 16 years (39 boys, 51 girls), living in six administrative districts of Omsk with different levels of environmental pollution. Saliva samples were collected in the morning on an empty stomach, and the biochemical composition was determined using 22 parameters. Intergroup differences were assessed by a nonparametric criterion and principal component analysis (PCA). Results: None of the parameters measured in saliva can be used to characterize the area of residence. PCA showed that that the maximum contribution was made by electrolyte components, protein, and triene conjugates (TC). At the same time, the regions with the maximum differences in the studied biochemical parameters of saliva are geographically distant from each other. So, in ecologically unfavorable areas in saliva the TC level is the highest 0.954 (0.677; 1.019) c. u. and the chloride content is the lowest 8.4 (5.9; 10.6) mmol/L. The opposite trend is observed for ecologically safe areas: the TC level decreases 0.864 (0.792; 1.018) c. u., the chloride content increases 16.1 (9.7; 18.6) mmol/L. A combination of indicators of saliva was revealed, which allows characterizing the state of the body in an integral form. Conclusions: The use of PCA of biochemical parameters of saliva allows monitoring of the ecological situation in the areas of residence supporting the evidence from environmental monitoring in the study area.

Palynoindication of the environment of industrial cities in the Far North

Data of palynological analysis of pollen of Pinus sylvestris L. under the conditions of technogenic pollution of the cities of Monchegorsk and Murmansk are presented. A high level of polymorphism of pine pollen is revealed, 11 teratomorphs are described. In samples from Murmansk, the proportion of abnormal pollen is higher than that in Monchegorsk. On the basis of the scale of ecological zoning of territories according to the content of normal pollen by N.A. Kalashnik, districts with different levels of environmental pollution are identified in the cities under investigation.

Exploring the Relationship between Walking and Emotional Health in China.

Walking has a positive impact on people’s emotional health. However, in the case of serious air pollution, it is controversial whether walking exercise can still improve individuals’ emotional health. Using data from the 2014 wave of the China Labor-Force Dynamics Survey, this study explored the relationship between walking and emotional health with different levels of environmental pollution. The results indicated that respondents who took regular walks had better emotional health than those who did not walk regularly. For those whose main mode of physical exercise was walking, the average number of walks per week was significantly and positively correlated with their emotional health; however, the average duration of the walk had no significant impact on their emotional health. Moreover, for those whose main mode of physical exercise was walking and who lived in neighborhoods with a polluted environment, regular walking still had a positive impact on their emotional health. This suggests that even if environmental pollution is serious, walking still plays an important role in regulating individuals’ mental health. We propose that in order to promote the emotional health of residents, it is necessary to create more public spaces for outdoor activities and simultaneously increase efforts to control environmental pollution.

Mineral Content in Honeybee Wax Combs as a Measurement of the Impact of Environmental Factors.

Environmental pollution from metals needs to be constantly monitored due to their predominantly negative impacts on living organisms. As apian products stored in hives are considered useful bioindicators, the objective of this study was to: (a) investigate and compare the essential and toxic metal concentrations in freshly constructed combs (light combs, LC) and old combs (dark combs, DC) in use for two to three beekeeping seasons, and (b) compare the mineral content of beeswax combs from apiaries exposed to different levels of environmental pollution using the energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence method. Concentrations of ten elements (Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni, Fe, Zn, Mn, Sr, Rb, Ca) were determined in 18 honeybee wax comb samples from three apiaries in continental Croatia. The results showed that the influence of comb age and/or geographical origin (representing varying levels of environmental pollution exposure) on the elemental composition of beeswax was evident for the toxic elements Cr, Pb, Cu and Ni, and for the essential elements Fe, Zn, Mn and Sr, but not Rb. In addition to monitoring the environmental element content, wax combs can be used to determine contamination levels. Additionally, in-time analysis results can enable beekeepers to adjust management practices, such as moving apiaries to better positions. They can also be useful in the creation of policies on acceptable limits for toxic metal levels in particular geographical areas.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS OF THE KRASNODAR TERRITORY

Objective of the study: study of the influence of unfavourable environmental factors on the prevalence and structure of diseases of the digestive system in children and adolescents of the Krasnodar Territory. We examined 9,020 children aged 1–18 in 47 districts and towns of the Krasnodar Territory during the specialized medical examinations. Diseases of the digestive system were diagnosed in 2,454 individuals. Medical history of children was studied, blood, urine, faeces, laboratory and functional tests were analyzed. The environmental state of all territories of the region was studied using the method proposed by the author. The influence of man-caused atmospheric emissions, pesticides introduced into the soil and untreated wastewater discharged into water bodies on the prevalence of diseases of the digestive system and structure, depending on age and sex was assessed. Results. Epidemiological indicators of diseases of the digestive system in children and adolescents were studied in 47 administrative territories of the region, divided into three zones with different levels of environmental pollution. It is established that the degree of environmental pollution, determined using the integral index of environmental pollution, significantly influences the prevalence of gastroenterological pathology and its structure. Age and sexual dependence of the prevalence of diseases of the digestive tract in the environmentally favourable, conditionally favourable and unfavourable territories of residence was determined.

El tamaño de las empresas manufactureras y la contaminación medioambiental en México: una aproximación espacial

In this paper we analyze the existence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) in the different Mexican regions. By incorporating the manufacturing companies according to their size and the different levels of environmental pollution, we provide evidence of the compliance with the curve for certain regions of the country. For this, we use official data available for the period 1999-2009 to formulate and evaluate a spatial panel econometric model, which shows that the EKC is not met in the regions where micro and small enterprises are predominant. Although there are several studies regarding the EKC, the role of the productive structure of local companies on the environment has not been analyzed deeply .

Human bio-monitoring study around a plant that recycles and refines precious metals in Central Italy.

In an area characterized by the presence of a plant that recycles and refines precious metals the study aims to evaluate the exposure to the plant emissions of the residents in the neighbourhood using human urinary biomarkers, in comparison with those obtained in a reference and in an urban area and with the data concerning dispersions of plant emissions obtained through a specific diffusional model. 153 subjects in the study area, 95 in the urban area and 55 in the reference area, aged 18-60years, answered to a self-administered questionnaire and collected their 24-h urine. Urinary concentrations of antimony, silver, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, mercury, nickel, platinum, creatinine, and the porphyrin patterns were detected. The results for the 3 areas were compared using parametric and non-parametric tests. Significant higher concentrations of mercury, cadmium, silver and nickel are observed in the study area in comparison with the reference area, but no differential distribution was observed by different levels of environmental pollution defined by the study's diffusion model, and no correlation was found between the concentrations of altered urinary porphyrin and metals. Life styles being equal, residents in the study area as well as residents in the urban area have high urinary levels of mercury, silver and nickel in comparison with the reference area, suggesting common environmental pressures probably related to diffuse gold processing activities, suggesting common environmental pressures. The excess of cadmium only in the study area suggests a role played by exposure to plant emissions, even if a differential distribution was not observed by different levels of environmental pollution.

Physiological perturbations in gills and liver of Siganus canaliculatus as potential biomarkers of hydrocarbons pollution in Arabian Gulf of Saudi Arabia.

The present study aimed to investigate the state of health of gills and liver tissues of Rabbitfish, Siganus canaliculatus, inhabiting three different coastal localities in the Saudi coast of the Arabian Gulf, namely Al-Dammam, Dareen and Maniefa, with varying degrees of pollution affected by anthropogenic inputs including fractionated hydrocarbons. Al-Dammam coast was the less impacted site, and thus considered as a reference location. High concentrations of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons were detected in sediments and tissues at sites with anthropogenic activities (Dareen and Maniefa). Also, biochemical indicators were used to assess the impact of different levels of environmental pollution in gills and liver of the fish. The biomarkers: glycogen, total lipid, total protein, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, acetylcholinesterase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and reduced glutathione were found to be significantly lower in tissues of Rabbitfish caught from polluted locations compared to the reference values. However, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, catalase, glutathione-s-transferase and lipid peroxidation displayed significantly higher levels in the Rabbitfish caught from polluted locations. Overall, our results highlight the importance of estimating a set of related biomarkers to gain a preferable comprehend of protective mechanisms activated under a given environmental situation. It can be concluded that marine contamination can affect the antioxidant defense status of the gills and liver of studied fish. This has led to the suggestion that the marine Rabbitfish S. canaliculatus could be considered as a good bioindicator of environmental contamination by aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.

ENVIRONMENTAL CROWDSOURCING IN MOSCOW: UNDERRATED OPPORTUNITIES

This article analyses the results of research on how Muscovites perceive the environmental situation. A mass poll of 800 residents of Moscow conducted in June-July, 2015 provided data for the analysis. Six municipal districts have been selected for polling: Novokosino, Perovo, Sokolinaya Gora, Mozhaisky, Krylatskoye, Novo-Peredelkino. The reasons were as follows: selection was to include districts with different levels of environmental pollution, districts located in semi-peripheral and peripheral parts of the city, approximately equally remote from the center. The questionnaire consisted of the following parts: assessment of changes in the environmental situation in Moscow and in the district; ranking of polluters in the city and in the district; questions about environmental behavior of Muscovites. The research was aimed at identifying the correlation between subjective perception of residents and objective spatial and environmental differentiation in Moscow as well as assessing the potential of environmental crowdsourcing in Moscow. The article reviews the following aspects of how Muscovites perceive the environmental situation: assessment of environmental situation in the city and in model districts and comparison of their opinion to the actual environmental conditions; identification of the differences between Muscovites’ perception of city polluters and objective ranking of polluters; environmental maturity of public consciousness among metropolitans and potential readiness of various groups for participating in environment protection measures. Respondents’ assessments diverge from actual data due to lack of knowledge and environmental illiteracy, difficulties in interpreting ecological information for an ordinary person, impossibility to assess potential threat of polluters, especially if a polluter is invisible and cannot be localized. The absence of accurate and objective criteria of environmental conditions is another reason for this divergence. Residents of environmentally safe districts are prone to more positive assessments for the city in general. On the contrary, residents of less safe districts, tend to project problems of their district on the whole city, for example in Novokosino where waste incineration plant is located. Muscovites’ assessments largely depend on connectivity with the rest of the city, presence of unique natural sites (parks), proximity to polluters.

Bioaccumulation of some elements in the millipede Glomeris hexasticha (Brandt, 1833) (Diplopoda, Glomerida)

Millipedes are soil invertebrates participating in the decomposition of leaf litter. Previous studies indicated that soil invertebrates were useful in the environmental pollution research dedicated to the content and accumulation of heavy metals. The aim of the present study was to compare the content of some elements in bodies of adult millipedes Glomeris hexasticha (Brandt, 1833) collected from a more polluted town called Jaworzno in Upper Silesia, Southern Poland, and from the less polluted Lublin area, Eastern Poland. The content of elements was determined with the ICP method on a VISTA MPX Varian spectrometer. The concentrations of elements in the millipedes from Jaworzno appeared in the following decreasing order: Ca, P, S, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Al, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb, B, Cr, Cd and Ni, compared to the Lublin area: Ca, P, K, Mg, S, Na, Fe, Al, Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, B, Cr, Cd and Ni. It was confirmed that the elements such as Al, Zn, Mn, Cr, Cd and Ni in Glomeris hexasticha from Jaworzno were in higher concentrations than in specimens from the Lublin area. Reveresly, millipedes collected from the Lublin area contained higher concentrations of Ca, P, K, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu and B than those from Jaworzno. The results show that differences in the content and distribution of some elements at two locations with different levels of environmental pollution were clearly reflected in bodies of the millipede G. hexasticha.

Alternative Treatment for Asthma: Case Study of Success of Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Children from Urban Areas with Different Levels of Environmental Pollution

The present study examined efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment in Dutch children with asthma in areas with differing air pollution. The study results indicate that TCM treatment of children living in more polluted urban area is less successful then that of children living in cleaner air area.

Benthic community responses to invasion by the golden mussel,Limnoperna fortuneiDunker: biotic homogenization vs environmental driving forces

The goal of our study was to investigate the interaction between the invasive mussel Limnoperna fortunei and benthic invertebrate communities at different spatial scales and under different environmental conditions. We analyzed the effects of L. fortunei on benthic invertebrate communities at different downstream distances (meters) from mussel beds and compared these trends in 2 rivers characterized by dissimilar chemical disturbance levels. In areas distant from L. fortunei beds, invertebrate composition at the 2 rivers differed strongly, probably in response to different levels of environmental pollution. In areas near L. fortunei beds, invertebrate composition at the 2 rivers was similar, suggesting that golden mussels have strong homogenizing effects on faunal makeup. We also found that facilitation was species specific and, in contrast to the general paradigm, weaker (rather than stronger) under more stressful conditions. Our results show that understanding the effects of L. fortunei requires accounting for scale- and species-specific effects.

Supernumerary chromosomes on Southern European populations of the cockle Cerastoderma edule: Consequence of environmental pollution?

Cerastoderma edule (Cardiidae) has a diploid chromosome number of 2 n = 38, its karyotype consisting of 12 submetacentric, 4 subtelocentric and 3 telocentric chromosome pairs. Hyperdiploid cells had previously been observed in two populations of the Northern Galician coasts (northwest of Spain). The supernumerary chromosomes being easily distinguished by their reduced differentiated size and by their intra- and inter-individual variability. After the recent observation of 35% of cells with supernumerary chromosomes in a population of the Southern Galician coasts (Vigo) and 15% of cells with supernumerary chromosomes in a population of the south of Portugal (Ria Formosa, Algarve), we attempted, in this paper, an elucidation of the nature of these supernumerary chromosomes, by differential banding technique with restriction enzymes on these hyperdiploid cells. Analysis of the restriction enzyme banding of the 2 n > 38 karyotypes led us to propose the occurrence of a chromosomal fission event involving the largest submetacentric chromosome pair. This study represents the first description of the occurrence of a possible chromosomal fission in marine bivalves. Different levels of environmental pollution are suggested as possible explanation for the differences observed on the proportion of hyperdiploid cells between the Southern Portugal population and the three Galician ones.

Comparative study of trace element contents in human full-term placenta and fetal membranes by total reflection X-ray fluorescence

The total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) method was applied to study the influence of environmental pollution on the contents of trace elements in human full-term placenta and fetal membranes. The samples were collected from the donors living in two regions characterised by different levels of environmental pollution. In this comparative study, based on relatively large (∼100) populations, the concentrations of approximately 20 trace elements (P–Pb) were determined in the samples. In particular, the paper discusses the role of ‘truncation’ of measured concentration distribution by the detection limit of the TXRF method in context of comparative studies. First, the importance of the developed method of reconstruction of original concentration distribution, to derive the correct concentrations of trace elements, is described and demonstrated and, second, the statistical tests, which can be used to compare the truncated, or reconstructed, concentration distributions are discussed. Finally, the statistically significant differences of trace element concentrations found in both populations are presented and summarised.

Dairy cattle as a bioindicator of exposure to genotoxic substances in a heavily polluted area in Northern Bohemia

The exposure of dairy cattle to genotoxic agents in two districts with different levels of environmental pollution was estimated using cytogenetic analysis of bovine peripheral lymphocytes. The Teplice district represented an industrialized area where the air pollution rate is extremely high mainly in the winter, and the Prachatice district – an agricultural area with a relatively low level of pollution. The Ames test was used to examine feed samples for the content of mutagenic substances. Cows in the Teplice district showed a significantly higher count of aberrant cells (4.83±2.36) than cows in the Prachatice district (3.63±2.12). The sum of revertants induced by rinsings or extracts of feeds in both of the two test strains ( Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100) was significantly higher in the district of Teplice than in the district of Prachatice. The percentages of findings with mutagenic responses were 56.3 and 34.8% for the districts of Teplice and Prachatice, respectively. No mutagenic activity was found in milk samples collected in any of the districts. Apparently, the cows kept in the Teplice district were more exposed to genotoxic substances than the cows in the Prachatice district. The major source of this exposure was probably fresh fodder contaminated by industrial emissions.

Monitoring of forest ecosystems in the Russian Subarctic: effects of industrial pollution

Results of long-term investigations carried out in the vicinity of large nickel enterprises in the Russian Subarctic are presented. Levels of air, precipitation, soil and vegetation pollution were estimated and zones of varying degrees of damage to forests as a result of industrial impact were determined over the area of the Kola peninsula. In the Norilsk region, these investigations are now in progress. For the Kola peninsula, the industrial impact on forests is generally restricted to a distance of 30 km from the emission sources. The highest levels of contamination are observed in the area adjacent to smelters. Methods for monitoring are discussed and the data on the response of coniferous trees to different levels of environmental pollution are presented.

Evaluation of Antimony, Cadmium and Lead Levels in Vegetables, Drinking and Raw Water from Different Agricultural Areas

Abstract Lead and cadmium levels in edible vegetables and antimony, lead and cadmium in drinking and raw waters from three agricultural areas exposed to different levels of environmental pollution (1-high industrial pollution, 2-high urban pollution, 3-standard low industrial and urban pollution) are determined. The organic matter is destroyed by repeated attack with nitric acid. Cadmium and lead are determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) and antimony by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS). When the results obtained for three different areas are compared, differences between cadmium and lead contents in vegetables are observed. Waters are not contaminated with antimony, cadmium or lead in any area.