Environmental Monitoring Program Research Articles

The Impact of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) on the Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis: A Multi-Biomarker Evaluation

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has been widely studied due to its environmental persistence and bioaccumulation potential, raising concerns about its effects on aquatic life. This research evaluates the impact of PFOA on the antioxidant defenses and stress response systems of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Mussels were exposed to three concentrations of PFOA (1, 10, and 100 µg·L−1) over 28 days. Several biomarkers, including glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation (LPO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), vitellogenin (VTG), ubiquitin (UBI), and caspase-3 (CASP) were analyzed. The results suggest stress responses, particularly in animals exposed to higher concentrations, as shown by GST and SOD activities which increased according to PFOA concentrations. Additionally, oxidative stress markers such as MDA and CAT showed variable responses depending on the exposure concentration tested. This study underscores the need for further investigation into the effects of PFOA on mollusks but also the need to unveil gender-specific responses in aquatic organisms exposed to this contaminant. The concentrations of PFOA used in our research are lower than those examined in previous studies, providing crucial insights into the impacts of even minimal exposure levels. It highlights the potential of M. galloprovincialis as a bioindicator in environmental monitoring programs, providing crucial insights for environmental management and policymaking regarding regulating and monitoring PFOA in marine settings. Consequently, in a country where seafood consumption is the second largest in Europe, implementing environmental policies and regulatory measures to manage and monitor PFOA levels in marine environments is crucial.

The choice of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis impacted characterization of highly variable surface microbiota in dairy processing environments.

Accurate knowledge of the microbiota collected from surfaces in food processing environments is important for food quality and safety. This study assessed discrepancies in taxonomic composition and alpha and beta diversity values generated from eight different bioinformatic workflows for the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences extracted from the microbiota collected from surfaces in dairy processing environments. We found that the microbiota collected from environmental surfaces varied widely in density (0-9.09 log10 CFU/cm2) and Shannon alpha diversity (0.01-3.40). Consequently, depending on the sequence analysis method used, characterization of low-abundance genera (i.e., below 1% relative abundance) and the number of genera identified (114-173 genera) varied considerably. Some low-abundance genera, including Listeria, varied between the amplicon sequence variant (ASV) and operational taxonomic unit (OTU) methods. Centered log-ratio transformation inflated alpha and beta diversity values compared to rarefaction. Furthermore, the ASV method also inflated alpha and beta diversity values compared to the OTU method (P < 0.05). Therefore, for sparse, uneven, low-density data sets, the OTU method and rarefaction are better for taxonomic and ecological characterization of surface microbiota.IMPORTANCECulture-dependent environmental monitoring programs are used by the food industry to identify foodborne pathogens and spoilage biota on surfaces in food processing environments. The use of culture-independent 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to characterize this surface microbiota has been proposed as a tool to enhance environmental monitoring. However, there is no consensus on the most suitable bioinformatic analyses to accurately capture the diverse levels and types of bacteria on surfaces in food processing environments. Here, we quantify the impact of different bioinformatic analyses on the results and interpretation of 16S rRNA amplicon sequences collected from three cultured dairy facilities in New York State. This study provides guidance for the selection of appropriate 16S rRNA analysis procedures for studying environmental microbiota in dairy processing environments.

Genotoxicity Of The Herbicide Picloram (TORDON ® 24K) on tadpoles of Boana pulchella (Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae)

Picloram (PIC) is an herbicide widely used in Uruguay to control weeds, especially in forest crops. In the present study, we evaluate the acute toxicity and genotoxicity of formulated 24.9% PIC-based Tordon®24K on Boana pulchella tadpoles under standard laboratory conditions. In the acute toxicity test we use mortality as the endpoint and we obtained a 48-h LC50 of 16.5 mg/L, LOEC 14.5 mg/L, and NOEC 12.5 mg/L. We determined genotoxicity in GS36 tadpoles exposed to sublethal concentrations of 8.5 (NOEC/1.5) and 12.5 mg/L (NOEC) PIC using micronucleus frequency (MN) and occurrence of nuclear abnormalities (AN) as endpoints. We noticed a significant increase in the frequency of MN and AN in all treatments tested at sublethal concentrations. Our findings demonstrate the genotoxic effects of this herbicide, which represent a danger to amphibians that inhabit agroecosystems. Based on the results obtained and considering that Boana pulchella is not a threatened species and has a wide distribution in the Uruguayan territory and the Pampa Biome, it could be considered a reference organism in environmental monitoring programs in the region.

Investigation of 44-methylgambierone reactivity with periodate: Structural reassignment, solvent instability and formation of a furanoid analogue

Gambierones are sulfated polyethers produced by benthic dinoflagellates in the genera Gambierdiscus, Coolia and Fukuyoa. While relative toxicity data for gambierones suggests they are low compared with ciguatoxin analogues, gambierones have been suggested for use as marker compounds for environmental monitoring programs for the presence of Gambierdiscus in marine waters. The published structure of gambierone and analogues of it, including 44-methylgambierone (44-MeGAM), have been reported to possess 1,2- and 4,5-cis diols, while only the 1,2- diol unit has been shown to undergo periodate oxidation. An in-depth analysis of previously reported NMR data for 44-MeGAM in CD3OD showed that the C-4 stereochemistry of 44-MeGAM and other gamberiones was mis-assigned, that the 4-CH2-CHOH-CH2OH and OH groups are equatorially and axially oriented, respectively, rather than vice versa as previously reported. This re-examination of existing 44-MeGAM NMR data also showed that its C-12 and C-13 assignments (and those for other gambierones) should be reversed. In an effort to better understand the C-4 stereochemical and periodate reaction characteristics of gambierones (C-4 is an epimerizable hemiacetal carbon), additional NMR data was acquired in D6-DMSO. Unexpectedly, progressive conversion of 44-MeGAM to a long-term stable ring-A furanoid analogue was observed. A subsequent series of microscale stability trials identified several solvents that affected the solution-stability of 44-MeGAM, and these findings should be taken into consideration during isolation, handling, storage and bioassay evaluations of gambierones in future studies.

Antineoplastic drugs in healthcare settings: Occupational exposure and risk graduation

Antineoplastic drugs (ADs) are hazardous medicinal products highlighted in the EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021–2027. To minimize workers' chronic exposure in oncologic settings, regular monitoring programs for these drugs are crucial and mandatory in the EU (Directive 2004/37/EC). No surveillance exists in Portugal, thus we intended to assess environmental contamination and to perform occupational exposure and risk graduation in a Portuguese tertiary hospital. Wipe sampling and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry were employed to analyze thirteen drugs of concern (bicalutamide, capecitabine, cyclophosphamide, cyproterone, doxorubicin, etoposide, flutamide, ifosfamide, imatinib, megestrol, mycophenolate mofetil, paclitaxel, prednisone), eight for the first time worldwide, in 152 surface samples over three sampling campaigns. Surface contamination before general cleaning (worst-case scenario) was higher and more widespread in the pharmacy (84%–98 % positive samples) than in the day-care hospital (40%–72 %). No samples were found above the “action limit” (10000 pg/cm2), but concentrations were frequently above the “safe”/alert level (100 pg/cm2), particularly for cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide (largest campaign's 90th percentiles: 2197 pg/cm2 and 1898 pg/cm2). Despite the approach's nuances, the maximum daily dermal intake calculated (1.6 μg/day, considering a single genotoxic drug) was lower than the acceptable daily intake. This study provided knowledge regarding surface contamination in a European hospital, where occupational exposure to some ADs of concern cannot be ruled out and follow-up monitoring is recommended, even if workers seem unlikely to develop cancer from handling them. Furthermore, this work contributes to the implementation of regular environmental monitoring programs for ADs in Portugal, enhancing compliance with EU recommendations.

COF-COOH@MIP as solid-phase extraction adsorbent for selective and sensitive detection of metamitron in environmental water

Metamitron (MET) is a selective herbicide widely used in agriculture but can persist in the environment and potentially contaminate water resources. This study reports the successful synthesis of a composite adsorbent, COF-COOH@MIP, specifically designed for MET preconcentration via solid-phase extraction (SPE) before high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. COF-COOH@MIP integrates the advantages of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with their high surface area and stability and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) with their tailored recognition cavities. The adsorbent achieved a maximum adsorption capacity of 4.67 μg mg−1. The SPE column packed with COF-COOH@MIP demonstrated excellent reusability, with recovery rates of MET around 100 % after six consecutive cycles. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the established method were remarkably low, at 2.94 ng mL−1 and 9.80 ng mL−1, respectively. The linearity was credible within 0.03-400 μg mL−1 (R2 = 0.9999). The method’s applicability to real-world samples was validated by analyzing water from a farm, a ditch, and a river. This method offers a valuable tool for environmental monitoring programs to safeguard water quality from MET pollution.

Eco-toxic Risk Assessment of microplastics in water and sediment across Nigeria Offshore, Gulf of Guinea.

Globally, the environmental impacts of microplastics (MPs) as emerging pollutants have drawn a lot of attention. This study aimed to assess the distribution and associated potential ecotoxic risk of MPs in the water and sediment of Nigeria's offshore waters. Water and sediment samples were collected from sixteen (16) stations in October 2023 and analysed using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and stereomicroscopy. For physical characterization, the composition of MPs in sediment and water was 73 particles/kg and 48 particles/L, respectively, while the ATR-FTIR composition at the Eastern Zone (EZ) was 705 particles/L and 1033 particles/kg, the Central Zone (CZ) was 212 particles/L and 338 particles/kg, and the Western Zone (WZ) was 223 particles/L and 218 particles/kg. The identified MPs shapes were filaments, plastic films, fibre, and microbeads. Polychloroprene (CR) (18.10% and 16.86%) at EZ and CZ and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (20.64%) at WZ were most abundant in sediment, respectively. In comparison, PVA (22.3%, 22.2%, and 21.08%) was most abundant across EZ, CZ, and WZ in water. The polymer-based plastic contamination factors (ppCf) and pollution load index (pPLI) showed low contamination and pollution load, and the polymer risk index (pRi) showed medium and low risk in water and sediment, respectively. The polymer ecological risks index (pERI) showed a high-risk level (pERI: 1,001-10,000) in water and sediment across the EZ, CZ, and WZ of the Nigerian offshore waters. In marine environments, an extensive environmental monitoring program and trend forecasting for microplastics are crucial. This study will provide theoretical and technical support for developing efficient legislation or policy on the prevention and control of plastic pollution.

Assessing Radiation Fallout in Public Zones near the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS): A Recent Study.

A comprehensive radiological study was conducted in the surrounding public zones of the Nevada National Security Site to identify traces of resuspended radioactivity and heavy elemental contamination that might have resulted from various activities. The study used passive and active nuclear methods, specifically gamma spectrometry and instrumental neutron activation analysis, respectively. Passive gamma spectra analysis of air filter papers from various Community Environmental Monitoring Program stations conclusively verified the presence of radionuclides exclusively originating from the natural decay series of 238U and 232Th. Furthermore, gamma spectrometry and instrumental neutron activation analysis of plant samples from surrounding areas of the Nevada National Security Site revealed the absence of any unusual elemental contamination in the environment. These results demonstrated that there was no measurable radiological impact on the public zones surrounding the site resulting from the spread of radioactive materials or toxic heavy metals associated with previous or ongoing activities at Nevada National Security Site. Therefore, the safety of public zones concerning retained radioactivity and harmful elemental contamination arising from Nevada National Security Site operations is negligible. The significance of this study is further pronounced in the current geopolitical context, as it establishes the baseline elemental composition for various desert plants for future reference.

Nature management history and prospects for improving environmental monitoring in Galapagos Islands (Republic of Ecuador)

Background. The system of environmental monitoring in the Republic of Ecuador and its history is considered using the Galapagos Islands as an example. The need for its modification with the purpose of preventing the negative consequences of human activity is substantiated.Aim. To assess the environmental consequences of anthropogenic activity in the Galapagos Islands and to propose a unified environmental monitoring system for two protected natural areas of the Galapagos Islands.Materials and methods. The current laws and legislative acts related to the activity of the Republic of Ecuador state institutions in the field of environmental monitoring were analyzed. Statistical data and reports on monitoring programs in the Galapagos Islands were reviewed.Results. A unique environmental monitoring program for two protected natural areas of the Galapagos Islands was developed. It is recommended to complement the program with a system of stationary observations. This system is aimed at collecting data for assessing the impact of socioeconomic activity on the nature of the islands, monitoring the state of ecosystems, rare, endemic and invasive species, as well as for conducting scientific research to restore populations.

Application of Environmental Monitoring Programs and Root Cause Analysis to Identify and Implement Interventions to Reduce or Eliminate Listeria Populations in Apple Packinghouses

Controlling Listeria in produce packinghouses can be challenging due to the large number of potential contamination routes. For example, repeated isolation of the same Listeria subtype in a packinghouse could indicate persistence in the packinghouse or reintroduction of the same Listeria from an upstream source. To improve understanding of Listeria transmission patterns in packinghouses, we performed a longitudinal study in four apple packinghouses, including testing of 1,339 environmental sponges and whole genome sequencing (WGS)-based characterization of 280 isolates. Root cause analysis and subsequent intervention implementation were also performed and assessed for effectiveness. Listeria prevalence among environmental sponges collected from the four packinghouses was 20% (range of 5–31% for individual packinghouses). Sites that showed high Listeria prevalence included drains, forklift tires and forks, forklift stops, and waxing area equipment frames. A total of 240/280 WGS-characterized isolates were represented in 41 clusters, each containing two or more isolates that differed by ≤50 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (hqSNPs); 21 clusters were isolated from one packinghouse over ≥2 samplings (suggesting persistence or possibly reintroduction), while 11 clusters included isolates from >2 packinghouses, suggesting common upstream sources. Some interventions successfully (i) reduced Listeria detection on forklift tires and forks (across packinghouses) and (ii) mitigated packinghouse-specific Listeria issues (e.g., in catch pans). However, interventions that lacked enhanced equipment disassembly when persistence was suspected typically appeared to be unsuccessful. Overall, while our data suggest a combination of intensive environmental sampling with subtyping and root cause analysis can help identify effective interventions, implementation of effective interventions continues to be a challenge in packinghouses.

Occupational Inhalation Health Risk Assessment of TCE Exposure in the Korean Manufacturing Industry

This study aimed to assess the health risks to workers in the Korean manufacturing industries using trichloroethylene (TCE). In Republic of Korea, TCE has permissible exposure limits. In 2014, the permissible exposure limits were exceeded in two cases, necessitating a health risk assessment. The exposure value of TCE in the workplace was determined using Korea’s Workplace Environmental Monitoring Program (WEMP), and risk assessment was performed by applying a probabilistic distribution using a Monte Carlo simulation. When evaluating non-carcinogenic risks at the 50th percentile, all 20 industries had acceptable risk, and at the 95th percentile, 12 of the 20 industries had unacceptable risk. Following the cancer risk assessment, 17 out of 20 industries had unacceptable risks, and the 95th percentile of all industries had unacceptable risks. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of TCE were highest during metal fabrication. Based on these results, metal fabrication was chosen as an industry that should receive management priority in Korea. The findings of this study serve as a foundation for managing TCE among manufacturing workers.

Environmental monitoring of current good manufacturing practices cleanroom facilities for manufacturing of cellular therapy products in an academic hospital setting

As the field of cell and gene therapy (CGT) continues to grow, so too must the infrastructure and regulatory guidance supporting the manufacture of these potentially life-saving products—especially early-phase products manufactured at an increasing number of academic or hospital-based facilities providing decentralized (or point of care) manufacturing. An important component of current good manufacturing practices, including those regulating cell and gene therapies, is the establishment of an effective environmental monitoring (EM) program. While several guidelines for establishing an EM program are available, these guidelines do not specifically address the unique aspects of manufacturing CGT products and they do not provide real-world evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the program. Here, we describe the establishment and evolution of an EM program in a cell therapy manufacturing facility at an academic hospital. With 10 years of EM data, we analyze the effectiveness for identifying trends in environmental conditions and highlight important findings, with the aim of providing practical evidence and guidance for the development of future early-phase EM programs.

Fifteen Years of Integrated Terrestrial Environmental Observatories (TERENO) in Germany: Functions, Services, and Lessons Learned

AbstractThe need to develop and provide integrated observation systems to better understand and manage global and regional environmental change is one of the major challenges facing Earth system science today. In 2008, the German Helmholtz Association took up this challenge and launched the German research infrastructure TERrestrial ENvironmental Observatories (TERENO). The aim of TERENO is the establishment and maintenance of a network of observatories as a basis for an interdisciplinary and long‐term research program to investigate the effects of global environmental change on terrestrial ecosystems and their socio‐economic consequences. State‐of‐the‐art methods from the field of environmental monitoring, geophysics, remote sensing, and modeling are used to record and analyze states and fluxes in different environmental disciplines from groundwater through the vadose zone, surface water, and biosphere, up to the lower atmosphere. Over the past 15 years we have collectively gained experience in operating a long‐term observing network, thereby overcoming unexpected operational and institutional challenges, exceeding expectations, and facilitating new research. Today, the TERENO network is a key pillar for environmental modeling and forecasting in Germany, an information hub for practitioners and policy stakeholders in agriculture, forestry, and water management at regional to national levels, a nucleus for international collaboration, academic training and scientific outreach, an important anchor for large‐scale experiments, and a trigger for methodological innovation and technological progress. This article describes TERENO's key services and functions, presents the main lessons learned from this 15‐year effort, and emphasizes the need to continue long‐term integrated environmental monitoring programmes in the future.

Electrochemical Detection of Glyphosate in Surface Water Samples Based on Modified Screen-Printed Electrodes.

This study addresses the necessity to monitor the presence of glyphosate (Gly) in waters, highlighting the need for on-site detection of Gly by using electrochemical sensors in environmental and agricultural monitoring programs. Two approaches were employed: (1) modification with graphene decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-Gr) and dispersed in either dimethylformamide (DMF) or a solution containing Nafion and isopropanol (NAF), and (2) molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) based on polypyrrole (PPy) deposited on gold SPEs (AuSPE). Electrochemical characterization revealed that sensors made of AuNPs-Gr/SPCE exhibited enhanced conductivity, larger active area, and improved charge transfer kinetics compared to unmodified SPEs and SPEs modified with graphene alone. However, the indirect detection mechanism of Gly via complex formation with metallic cations in AuNPs-Gr-based sensors introduces complexities and compromises sensitivity and selectivity. In contrast, MIPPy/AuSPE sensors demonstrated superior performance, offering enhanced reliability and sensitivity for Gly analysis. The MIPPy/AuSPE sensor allowed the detection of Gly concentrations as low as 5 ng/L, with excellent selectivity and reproducibility. Moreover, testing in real surface water samples from the Olt River in Romania showed recovery rates ranging from 90% to 99%, highlighting the effectiveness of the detection method. Future perspectives include expanding the investigation to monitor Gly decomposition in aquatic environments over time, providing insights into the decomposition's long-term effects on water quality and ecosystem health, and modifying regulatory measures and agricultural practices for mitigating its impact. This research contributes to the development of robust and reliable electrochemical sensors for on-site monitoring of Glyphosate in environmental and agricultural settings.

A one health approach for monitoring antimicrobial resistance: developing a national freshwater pilot effort.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a world-wide public health threat that is projected to lead to 10 million annual deaths globally by 2050. The AMR public health issue has led to the development of action plans to combat AMR, including improved antimicrobial stewardship, development of new antimicrobials, and advanced monitoring. The National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) led by the United States (U.S) Food and Drug Administration along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and U.S. Department of Agriculture has monitored antimicrobial resistant bacteria in retail meats, humans, and food animals since the mid 1990's. NARMS is currently exploring an integrated One Health monitoring model recognizing that human, animal, plant, and environmental systems are linked to public health. Since 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has led an interagency NARMS environmental working group (EWG) to implement a surface water AMR monitoring program (SWAM) at watershed and national scales. The NARMS EWG divided the development of the environmental monitoring effort into five areas: (i) defining objectives and questions, (ii) designing study/sampling design, (iii) selecting AMR indicators, (iv) establishing analytical methods, and (v) developing data management/analytics/metadata plans. For each of these areas, the consensus among the scientific community and literature was reviewed and carefully considered prior to the development of this environmental monitoring program. The data produced from the SWAM effort will help develop robust surface water monitoring programs with the goal of assessing public health risks associated with AMR pathogens in surface water (e.g., recreational water exposures), provide a comprehensive picture of how resistant strains are related spatially and temporally within a watershed, and help assess how anthropogenic drivers and intervention strategies impact the transmission of AMR within human, animal, and environmental systems.

Heavy Metal(oid)s Contamination and Potential Ecological Risk Assessment in Agricultural Soils.

Soil pollution caused by heavy metal(oid)s has generated great concern worldwide due to their toxicity, persistence, and bio-accumulation properties. To assess the baseline data, the heavy metal(oid)s, including manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), Cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), and cadmium (Cd), were evaluated in surface soil samples collected from the farmlands of Grand Forks County, North Dakota. Samples were digested via acid mixture and analyzed via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP MS) analysis to assess the levels, ecological risks, and possible sources. The heavy metal(oid) median levels exhibited the following decreasing trend: Fe > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Pb > Co > As > Cd > Hg. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) suggested the main lithogenic source for the studied metal(oid)s. Metal(oid) levels in the current investigation, except Mn, are lower than most of the guideline values set by international agencies. The contamination factor (Cf), geo accumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF) showed considerable contamination, moderate contamination, and significant enrichment, respectively, for As and Cd on median value basis. Ecological risk factor (Er) results exhibited low ecological risk for all studied metal(oid)s except Cd, which showed considerable ecological risk. The potential ecological risk index (PERI) levels indicated low ecological risk to considerable risk. Overall, the results indicate the accumulation of As and Cd in the study area. The high nutrients of the soils potentially affect their accumulation in crops and impact on consumers' health. This drives the impetus for continued environmental monitoring programs.

Assessing the Interpretability–Performance Trade-Off of Artificial Neural Networks Using Sentinel Fish Health Data

A number of sentinel species are regularly sampled from the environment near the Oil Sands Region (OSR) in Alberta, Canada. In particular, trout-perch are sampled as a proxy for the health of the aquatic ecosystem. As the development of the OSR began before the environmental monitoring program was in place, there is currently no established measure for the baseline health of the local ecosystem. A common solution is to calculate normal ranges for fish endpoints. Observations found to be outside the normal range are then flagged, alerting researchers to the potential presence of stressors in the local environment. The quality of the normal ranges is dependent on the accuracy of the estimates used to calculate them. This paper explores the use of neural networks and regularized regression for improving the prediction accuracy of fish endpoints. We also consider the trade-off between the prediction accuracy and interpretability of each model. We find that neural networks can provide increased prediction accuracy, but this improvement in accuracy may not be worth the loss in interpretability in some ecological studies. The elastic net offers both good prediction accuracy and interpretability, making it a safe choice for many ecological applications. A hybridized method combining both the neural network and elastic net offers high prediction accuracy as well as some interpretability, and therefore it is the recommended method for this application.

Analysis of Thorium (Th) and Uranium (U) in radioactive wastewater sample in accordance with American Public Health Association (APHA) 3125 method

The main issue with thorium (Th) and uranium (U) in radioactive wastewater is the potential of these elements to contaminate the water bodies. The unregulated radioactive wastewater release can affect the ecosystem and potentially harm aquatic life. Therefore, there is a need to establish the analysis of Th and U using standard method to obtain better sensitivity and good confidence in the final report. In this study, the determination of uranium and thorium was employed using the American Public Health Association (APHA) method 3125 standard method. The method performance and method detection level (MDL) samples for APHA 3125 were prepared in the deionized water and digested using hot block (APHA 3030E) and microwave digester (APHA 3030K). The quantification of 238U, 235U and 232Th in the method performance and MDL samples was performed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). From the results, the method performance samples for both digestion methods were in accordance with the APHA requirement. The MDL obtained from APHA 3030E for 232Th, 238U, and 235U were 5, 7, and 8 μg L−1 respectively. Meanwhile, the MDL obtained from the microwave digester for 232Th, 238U, and 235U, and were 2, 3, and 3 μg L−1 respectively. The APHA 3030K digestion technique gives lower and better detection limit compared to the APHA 3030E technique. Based on APHA 3030K MDL, 232Th was detected in the radioactive wastewater sample while 238U and 235U were less than MDL. Meanwhile, for APHA 3030E, all elements were below MDL. This study will enhance the detection of uranium and thorium in the radioactive wastewater sample towards better environmental monitoring programs at the national and global levels.

Assessment of environmental quality using biological index - The case of Can Tho city, Vietnam

Many countries have used the biodiversity indexes to monitor environmental quality as well as assess ecosystem impacts, but most provinces and cities in Vietnam carrying out water monitor through physicochemical sampling that cause of costly. In this study, zoobenthos were collected from the rivers’ bottoms, where received wastewater from domestic activities (3 points) and from industrial productions (3 points) in Can Tho city. At domestic wastewater effected sampling points, there are 29 species belonging to 6 classes including Oligochaeta, Polychaeta, Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Crustacea and Insecta; the species density of 1,930 and 7,700 individuals/m2 in December and March. The industrial wastewater effected sampling points recorded 17 species belonging to 5 classes including Oligochaeta, Polychaeta, Bivalvia, Gastropoda, and Insecta; the species density during December and March are 3,890 and 5,680 individuals/m2. For the diversity index, the H’, DM, d, and ASPT values show better environmental quality received domestic wastewater than that of industrial wastewater. The biological index derived from benthic assessment could applied for environmental quality monitoring program at studied sites.

Hepatic transcriptome, transcriptional effects and antioxidant responses in Poecilia vivipara exposed to sanitary sewage

Aquatic environments are subject to threats from multiple human activities, particularly through the release of untreated sanitary sewage into the coastal environments. These effluents contain a large group of natural or synthetic compounds referred to as emerging contaminants. Monitoring the types and quantities of toxic substances in the environment, especially complex mixtures, is an exhausting and challenging task. Integrative effect-based tools, such as biomarkers, are recommended for environmental quality monitoring programs. In this study, fish Poecilia vivipara were exposed for 24 and 96 h to raw untreated sewage diluted 33 % (v/v) in order to identify hepatic genes to be used as molecular biomarkers. Through a de novo hepatic transcriptome assembly, using Illumina MiSeq, 54,285 sequences were assembled creating a reference transcriptome for this guppy species. Transcripts involved in biotransformation systems, antioxidant defenses, ABC transporters, nuclear and xenobiotic receptors were identified and evaluated by qPCR. Sanitary sewage induced transcriptional changes in AhR, PXR, CYP2K1, CYP3A30, NQO1, UGT1A1, GSTa3, GSTmu, ST1C1, SOD, ABCC1 and SOX9 genes from liver of fish, particularly after 96 h of exposure. Changes in hepatic enzyme activities were also observed. The enzymes showed differences in fish exposed to both periods, while in the gills there was a prevalence of significant results after 96 h. The observed differences were associated to gender and/or to sewage exposure. The obtained results support the use of P. vivipara as sentinel and model organism for ecotoxicological studies and evidence the importance of understanding the differential responses associated to gender.