Water quality assessment of a neotropical pampean lowland stream using a phytoplankton functional trait approach.
Frau D1, Medrano J2, Calvi C3, Giorgi A4.
Author information
1
Laboratorio de Plancton, Instituto Nacional de Limnología (CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria Paraje El Pozo S/N, Santa Fe, Argentina. diegofrau@gmail.com.
2
Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnología, Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos, Ruta Provincial No. 11. Km 10.5, Oro Verde, Argentina.
3
Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria Paraje El Pozo S/N, Santa Fe, Argentina.
4
Departamento de Ciencias Básicas (INEDES, UNLu-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Argentina.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to test whether the water quality phytoplankton assemblage index adapted for rivers (Qr index) is useful to characterize the water quality of a neotropical stream. We were interested also in inferring the main pollutants through a phytoplankton functional trait characterization and assessing the phytoplankton groups which may influence the Qr index final estimations. Monthly sampling of environmental variables and phytoplankton were done in three sites (S1, S2, and S3). Phytoplankton was classified according to Reynolds Functional Groups (RFG) and water quality estimation was performed using the Qr index. Principal coordinates (PCO) and PERMANOVA were applied to identify the main pollutants through the RFG. RFG linkage to Qr values was assessed by general linear models (GLM). "Moderate" water quality was found in S1 the whole year, in all sampling stations during the winter, and in summer-autumn in S2. "Regular" water quality was found in S3 during the summer-autumn, and S2-S3 during the spring. S1 and S2 showed eutrophic, standing, or mix waters whereas S3 had high organic matter content and eutrophic conditions. Despite some RFG (X1 and MP) being linked to high Qr values and some other (M, S1 and Z) to low, their dominance did not influence water quality estimation performed by the Qr. We conclude that the Qr index was useful for assessing the water quality. Though RFG were valuable for inferring eutrophication, organic pollution, and mixing, but their dominance does not necessarily have a direct effect on the final Qr estimation.

KEYWORDS:
Ecological indicators; Lotic systems; Qr index; Reynolds functional groups

PMID: 31656998 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7849-6
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Select item 31655913
2.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 26;191(11):679. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7856-7.
Effect of algae acclimation to the wastewater medium on the growth kinetics and nutrient removal capacity.
Rezaei R1, Akbulut A2, Sanin SL3.
Author information
1
Environmental Engineering Department, Hacettepe University, 06800 Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey. rezarezaei2008@gmail.com.
2
Faculty of Education, Division of Biology Education, Hacettepe University, 06800 Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey.
3
Environmental Engineering Department, Hacettepe University, 06800 Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey.
Abstract
Algal treatment methods have been widely used in nutrient removal studies. However, in most cases, the experimental conditions have not been fully complied with actual conditions. For instance, the effect of algae acclimation to wastewater medium on cell growth and removal efficiency has generally been ignored in laboratory scale experiments. This paper investigates the effect of acclimation on cell growth and nutrient uptake rates of Arthrospira platensis and Chlorella vulgaris. For this purpose, batch reactors, which contained the synthetic secondary effluent, had been inoculated by acclimated algae cells and the growth parameters were measured daily, as well as nutrient concentration. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) in chlorophyll-a content of acclimated A. platensis was observed, although there was no significant change in specific growth rate (μ) and doubling time (dt), in comparison with the non-acclimated ones. Moreover, the acclimation process changed the chlorophyll-a content and kinetic parameters of Chlorella vulgaris. Furthermore, t test results showed a significant increase in removal rate of nitrogen compounds through the acclimation. Residence time of A. platensis and C. vulgaris was also reduced through the acclimation by approximately 50% and 25%, respectively.

KEYWORDS:
Acclimation; Algae; Growth kinetics; Nutrient treatment; Secondary effluent

PMID: 31655913 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7856-7
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Select item 31655911
3.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 26;191(11):680. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7874-5.
Heavy metal content in the green fodder of field pea/oat mixtures destined for cattle feed.
Płaza A1, Gąsiorowska B1, Rzążewska E2.
Author information
1
Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Agrobioengineering and Animal Husbandry, Agriculture and Gardening Institutes, Research Team of Agrotechnology, Prusa 14, 08-110, Siedlce, Poland.
2
Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Agrobioengineering and Animal Husbandry, Agriculture and Gardening Institutes, Research Team of Agrotechnology, Prusa 14, 08-110, Siedlce, Poland. emilia.rzazewska@uph.edu.pl.
Abstract
The objective of the study was to establish the effect of component share in mixtures and harvest date on concentrations of selected heavy metals in the green fodder of field pea, oat, and their mixtures. The research hypothesis assumed that the cultivation of peas and oats in pure sowing, and in mixtures will also allow to choose combinations from which the forage will have the lowest content of heavy metals. Field research was conducted at the Zawady Experimental Farm (52° 03' 39″ N, 22° 33' 80″ E) which belongs to Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities. Two factors were tested in the study: I-component share in the mixture: field pea-pure stand 100%, oat-pure stand 100%, field pea 75% + oat 25%, field pea 50% + oat 50%, field pea 25% + oat 75%; II-harvest date: field pea flowering stage, field pea flat pod stage. Plant material was sampled to determine the following elements: Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, and Ni. The results of the study demonstrated that field pea grown in pure stand had the highest copper and zinc contents, and the lowest chromium and nickel contents. Field pea mixed with oat significantly reduced heavy metal content in green fodder. Cadmium and lead contents in the green fodder of field pea/oat mixtures were too low to be determined by means of the spectrometer Perkin Elmer Optima 8300. Regular checks of heavy metal contents are recommended in spite of their low amounts in the green fodder of field pea/oat mixtures.

KEYWORDS:
Avena sativa; Harvest date; Heavy metals; Mixture; Pisum sativum

PMID: 31655911 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7874-5
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Select item 31654271
4.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 25;191(11):674. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7836-y.
Arsenic health risk assessment related to rice consumption behaviors in adults living in Northern Thailand.
Chanpiwat P1,2, Kim KW3.
Author information
1
Environmental Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand. Penradee.C@chula.ac.th.
2
Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand. Penradee.C@chula.ac.th.
3
School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdan-gwagiro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
The rice consumption behaviors of Thai citizens vary among regions. However, the influence of different consumption patterns on arsenic (As) exposure has never been reported. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of rice consumption behavior on As exposure levels. White rice (n = 96) and sticky rice (n = 63) samples were collected from local households in northern Thailand. The actual rice consumption behavior (type, frequency, and amount of rice consumed) was surveyed from the households where the rice samples were collected and used to calculate individual As exposures. The white rice (2.1%) and sticky rice (6.3%) samples contained inorganic As at higher concentrations than the Codex standard (0.2 mg kg-1). Approximately 58.3% of participants consumed white rice for breakfast and sticky rice for lunch and dinner, while 41.8% of participants consumed only white rice or sticky rice daily. Wide variations of As exposure (1 × 10-4 to 2 × 10-3 mg kg-1 day-1) were found. The average As exposure from only sticky rice consumption and combined rice consumption was 2 times higher than the As exposure from only white rice consumption. The rice ingestion rate was the most important factor affecting the level of As exposure resulting from the white rice-only and combined rice consumption patterns. For the combined rice consumption pattern, 45.7 to 93.5% of the total As exposure was from sticky rice consumption. Regarding individual characteristics, older and lower weight participants tended to consume lower amounts of rice. Thus, lower As exposure and fewer health impacts were found in those participants.

KEYWORDS:
Consumption pattern; Eating behavior; Ingestion rate; Sticky rice; Thailand; White rice

PMID: 31654271 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7836-y
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Select item 31654216
5.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 25;191(11):676. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7778-4.
Stream flow composition and sediment yield comparison between partially urbanized and undisturbed coastal watersheds-case study: St. John, US Virgin Islands.
Gudino-Elizondo N1,2, Kretzschmar T3, Gray SC4.
Author information
1
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
2
Departamento de Geología, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, 22860, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
3
Departamento de Geología, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, 22860, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. tkretzs@cicese.mx.
4
Marine Science and Environmental Studies Department, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
Abstract
In steep dry-tropical islands, rural and urban development can lead to accelerated soil erosion and the delivery of land-based materials into marine ecosystems. The objective of this paper was to compare stream water composition, clay minerology, and sediment yield between a partially urbanized (Coral Bay) and an undisturbed (Lameshur) coastal watersheds in St. John, US Virgin Islands (USVI). The saturation index of streamflow water samples was calculated using "The Geochemist's Workbench" software and most likely precipitated minerals from observed storm events was then compared with X-ray diffraction on soil clay mineralogy. The spatial distribution on both annual mean (2010) erosion rates and storm event-wise (Hurricane Otto) sediment yield among the two study watersheds were modeled using the revised and modified universal soil loss equations (RUSLE; MUSLE), respectively. Cations concentration in stream flow water samples and sediment yield were higher for the partially urbanized (Coral Bay) compared to the undisturbed (Lameshur) watershed. Our findings suggest that rural/urban development may increase stream water cations concentration and inputs of sediment to downstream ecosystems. Future studies evaluating the effect of management practices such as pavement or other stabilization of dirt roads and their impact on stream water quality and quantity and sediment yield are crucial for the proper sediment management in the study watersheds and potentially in other rural-urbanizing tropical watersheds.

KEYWORDS:
Clay mineralogy; Rural/urban watersheds; Sediment yield; Soil erosion; Stream flow composition

PMID: 31654216 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7778-4
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Select item 31654145
6.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 26;191(11):678. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7877-2.
Responses of plant productivity and soil nutrient concentrations to different alpine grassland degradation levels.
Xu HP1, Zhang J1, Pang XP1, Wang Q1, Zhang WN1, Wang J1, Guo ZG2.
Author information
1
State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Pastoral Agricultural Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, People's Republic of China.
2
State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Pastoral Agricultural Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, People's Republic of China. guozhg@lzu.edu.cn.
Abstract
Although grassland degradation simultaneously affects plant productivity and soil nutrient concentrations, the relationship between plant productivity and soil nutrient concentrations during the process of grassland degradation is not yet well documented. A 4-year survey in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau was conducted to simultaneously investigate the relationships between plant productivity and soil nutrient concentrations in an alpine grassland at an overall degradation level and individual degradation levels. Our results showed that the total plant, sedge, and forb biomasses decreased, whereas the grass and legume biomasses first increased and then decreased as the level of alpine grassland degradation increased. Soil organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), total phosphorus (P), available N, and available P concentrations also decreased with the increase in degradation level. Our results also showed that plant productivity was positively correlated with soil nutrient concentrations (soil organic C, total T, total P, available N, available P) at an overall degradation level, whereas plant productivity was positively correlated with only the soil organic C concentration at each degradation level. Our findings suggested that the alpine grassland degradation conditions had different effects on the plant productivity of four functional groups (sedges, grasses, legumes, forbs) and affected the relationship between plant productivity and soil nutrient concentrations.

KEYWORDS:
Alpine grassland; Degradation level; Functional group biomass; Soil nutrient concentrations; Total plant biomass

PMID: 31654145 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7877-2
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Select item 31654143
7.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 25;191(11):675. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7822-4.
Piloting restoration initiatives in subtropical scrub forest: specifying areas asserting adaptive management.
Khan AU1, Sharif F2, Siddiq Z3, Hayyat MU2, Shahzad L2, Gratzfeld J4.
Author information
1
Sustainable Development Study Centre, GC University, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan. akeco1111@gmail.com.
2
Sustainable Development Study Centre, GC University, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan.
3
Department of Botany, GC University, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan.
4
Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), Descanso House, 199 Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3BW, UK.
Abstract
Subtropical scrub forests in Pakistan have diminished by about 75% over the last hundred years, mainly due to indiscriminate exploitation and invasion by exotics species. Lack of initiatives, awareness, and research in utilizing the techniques used for accelerating natural forest succession is resulting in further degradation of the remaining forests. To promote active restoration with local communities and governmental authorities, a restoration scheme was piloted between 2010 and 2016 to examine enrichment population effects. Over 4,000 saplings of two woody climax species, Acacia modesta and Olea ferruginea, raised from seeds of local provenance, were planted in three subjectively selected trial plots representing various stages of degradation, covering a total area of about 4 ha. The results showed an overall 46% survival rate, accompanied by natural regeneration. Comparative analyses of the trial plots have shown variations which were strongly site specific, in addition, it also helped in gauging compliance of the site coordinators in implementing restoration measures as an effective management tool. This study provided an opportunity to appreciate the differences in terms of interventions used for implementing ecological restoration across landscape in the degraded scrub forests.

KEYWORDS:
Engaging stakeholders; Gauging compliance; Planning restoration; Restoration alliance

PMID: 31654143 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7822-4
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Select item 31654141
8.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 25;191(11):677. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7809-1.
Spatial characteristics and risk factor identification for land use spatial conflicts in a rapid urbanization region in China.
Zhou1, Lin Z2, Lim SH3.
Author information
1
Department of Land Resources Management, China Institute of Land and Urban Governance, Zhejiang Gongshang University, 18 Xuezheng St., Xiasha University Town, Hangzhou, 310018, China. zhoude520@163.com.
2
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58108, USA.
3
Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58108, USA.
Abstract
Land use conflict is a complex problem driven by a myriad of risk factors as a result of rapid socioeconomic development and urbanization. Analyzing the spatial characteristics of land use conflict and identifying its risk factors using statistical models will help us to better understand the causes and effects of the land use conflicts for sustainable management of the limited land resources under the pressure of rapid urbanization. In this study, regression models including multiple linear regression (MLR), spatial autoregressive (SAR), and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models were employed to identify risk factors for the land use spatial conflicts in the Urban Agglomeration around Hangzhou Bay (UAHB) of China in the past 25 years. Our results showed that the overall extent and the higher-level land use spatial conflicts were actually on the decline, and their spatial autocorrelation has been weakening in the UAHB. The key risk factors that mainly caused the land use spatial conflicts in the UHAB appeared to be different at the global and local scales. This knowledge should help urban managers and policymakers to be better informed when developing pertinent land use policies at the regional and local levels. This study also underlined the importance of considering spatial autocorrelation and scale effects when identifying the risk factors for land use spatial conflicts. The lessons learned from this particular context can be extended to other areas under rapid urbanization to assess and better manage their land resources for sustainable use. Graphical abstract.

KEYWORDS:
Geographically weighted regression; Land use conflicts; Risk factor identification; Scale effect; Spatial autoregressive model; Urbanization

PMID: 31654141 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7809-1
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Select item 31650385
9.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 24;191(11):667. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7875-4.
Advantages and challenges of the implementation of a low-cost particulate matter monitoring system as a decision-making tool.
Caquilpán P V1, Aros G G1, Elgueta A S1, Díaz S R1, Sepúlveda K G1, Sierralta J C2.
Author information
1
Information Management Department, Superintendence of Environment, Santiago de Chile, Teatinos 280, piso 8, Santiago, Chile.
2
Information Management Department, Superintendence of Environment, Santiago de Chile, Teatinos 280, piso 8, Santiago, Chile. carlos.sierralta@sma.gob.cl.
Abstract
The integration of monitoring technologies in the last decades has been a key factor in the development of new ways to track air pollutants and supplementing the network of traditional monitoring systems. In this regard, the appearance of affordable and accurate sensor devices to monitor air quality has made possible to obtain relevant data about the state of the air, and moreover, eminent institutions are interested in promoting the use of novel and more affordable tools for air pollution, such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and European institutions, within a new approach to environmental surveillance, known as Next Generation Compliance and Enforcement technologies. On other hand, in order to get more reliable measurements, the use of machine learning to support adjustment or calibration process has been used in some studies to improve the performance of monitoring devices. On this paper, led by a group of specialists of the Chilean Superintendence of Environment (henceforth, SMA from its Spanish initials), a first approach case study related to the convenience of the usage of low-cost devices in environmental enforcement will be presented. The study was made in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago and considers the spatial distribution of different particulate matter sensors in the region. Some aspects regarding communication and technical issues are presented as well as the main findings about their performance. Results illustrate that low-cost sensors, aided by machine learning algorithms, could provide a reliable enough general screening of particulate matter within a large city, constituting a valuable decision-making tool for environmental oversight, as well as a powerful preventive and deterrent approach for compliance.

KEYWORDS:
Air quality monitoring; Air quality surveillance; Low-cost devices; Machine learning; Next Generation Compliance; Random forest

PMID: 31650385 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7875-4
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Select item 31650357
10.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 24;191(11):669. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7853-x.
Habitat suitability model with maximum entropy approach for European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in the Black Sea Region.
Evcin O1, Kucuk O2, Akturk E2.
Author information
1
Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Engineering, Kastamonu University, 37100, Kastamonu, Turkey. oevcin@kastamonu.edu.tr.
2
Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Engineering, Kastamonu University, 37100, Kastamonu, Turkey.
Abstract
Evaluating the relationships between wildlife species and their habitats helps to predict effects of habitat change for present and future management of wild animal populations. Building ecological models are good ways to understand and manage wildlife populations and to predict various environmental scenarios. Recently, management of ungulates is becoming more important in Europe due to a high demand of hunting and their role in biodiversity. European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is the smallest species of cervids and has a widespread distribution in Turkey. In this study, two habitat suitability models of roe deers, living in the Black Sea Region in Turkey, were created by using a maximum entropy (MaxEnt) approach. Two wildlife development areas, which have widely different habitat types, were selected as study sites. As a result of this study, area under the curve (AUC) values were found to be above 0.80. According to the modeling results, in two different habitat types, ecological variables are quite similar in general. This study is the first study on modeling European roe deers in Turkey.

KEYWORDS:
Ecological modeling; MaxEnt; Roe deer; Ruminants; Wildlife management

PMID: 31650357 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7853-x
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Select item 31650348
11.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 24;191(11):668. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7842-0.
Airborne microplastics: a review study on method for analysis, occurrence, movement and risks.
Enyoh CE1, Verla AW2, Verla EN3, Ibe FC2, Amaobi CE2.
Author information
1
Group Research in Analytical Chemistry, Environment and Climate Change (GRACE & CC), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Imo State University, P. M. B 2000, Imo State, Owerri, Nigeria. Cenyoh@gmail.com.
2
Group Research in Analytical Chemistry, Environment and Climate Change (GRACE & CC), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Imo State University, P. M. B 2000, Imo State, Owerri, Nigeria.
3
Department of Environmental Technology, Federal University of Technology, Imo State, Owerri, Nigeria.
Abstract
Microplastics (of size < 5 mm) pollution in our environment is of current concern by researchers, public media and non-governmental organizations. Implications by their presence in aquatic and soil ecosystems have been well studied and documented, but less attention has been paid on airborne microplastics (MPs). Studies concerning airborne microplastics started from 2016 and only a few (n = 13) have been published to date. Although, studies may increase in the following years, since air is very important for human survival. Microplastics have been observed in atmospheric fallouts in indoor and outdoor environments using a sampling or vacuum pump, rain sampler, and/or particulate fallout collector. Identification and quantification have been carried out by visual, spectroscopic, and spectrometric techniques. Factors such as meteorological, climatic, and anthropogenic influence the distribution and movement of airborne MP. Human exposure may be through inhalation, dermal, and open meal during fallout, with their potential biopersistence and translocation. Ingestion may cause localized inflammation and cancer due to responses by the immune cells, especially in individuals with compromised metabolism and poor clearance mechanisms. Ecological risks involve possible contamination of the ecosystem through a dynamic relationship of MPs in soil, water, and air forming a MP contamination cycle. The present review aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of current knowledge or information regarding microplastics in air, identifying gap in knowledge, and giving suggestions for future research.

KEYWORDS:
Air pollution; Dermal route; Fibers; Food; Health risk; Inhalation; Micropollutants

PMID: 31650348 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7842-0
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Publication type
Select item 31650341
12.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 25;191(11):671. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7893-2.
Multivariate analysis and multiple linear regression as a tool to estimate the behavior of hexazinone in Brazilian soils.
Dos Santos LOG1, de Freitas Souza M2, das Chagas PSF1, da Teófilo TMS1, Formiga MAP1, Cássia Araújo de Medeiros R1, Silva DV1.
Author information
1
Department of Crop Production, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Centro de Ciências Vegetais, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
2
Department of Crop Production, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Centro de Ciências Vegetais, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. matheus_mafs10@hotmail.com.
Abstract
Weed control efficiency and the environmental contamination potential of herbicides depend on soil sorption and desorption. Among the indexes that evaluate the soil adsorption processes, the coefficients sorption (Kfs) and desorption (Kfd) obtained by Freundlich isotherms can provide accurate information about the behavior of an herbicide in the soil. The values of Kfs and Kfd of an herbicide vary according to the physicochemical characteristics of the soil, so it is possible to estimate these coefficients with high precision if good predictive mathematical models are constructed. Therefore, our objective aimed to evaluate the use of multiple regression models (MLR) associated with multivariate techniques to estimate the coefficient Kfs and Kfd for the hexazinone based on the chemical and physical attributes of soils. The correlation analyses, principal components, and clustering analysis allowed the multiple linear regression technique to generate models with higher adjustment coefficient (R2) for Kfs (0.73 to 0.99) and Kfd (0.94 to 0.99), and lower root mean squared error (RMSE) for Kfs (0.003 to 0.065) and Kfd (0.018 to 0.120). Regression models created from groups of soils showed greater prediction performance for Kfs and Kfd. The organic matter followed by the cation exchange capacity was the most important attributes of soils in sorption and desorption processes of hexazinone.

KEYWORDS:
Cluster analysis; Discriminant analysis; Environmental impact; Factor analysis

PMID: 31650341 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7893-2
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Grant support
Select item 31650329
13.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 24;191(11):666. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7851-z.
Determination of trace elements, heavy metals, and antimony in polyethylene terephthalate-bottled local raw cow milk of Iğdır region in Turkey.
Koyuncu M1, Alwazeer D2.
Author information
1
Research Center for Redox Applications in Foods (RCRAF), Iğdır University, 76000, Iğdır, Turkey.
2
Research Center for Redox Applications in Foods (RCRAF), Iğdır University, 76000, Iğdır, Turkey. alwazeerd@gmail.com.
Abstract
The presence of several trace elements, heavy metals, and antimony in polyethylene terephthalate-bottled local raw cow milk samples of Iğdır region in Turkey was investigated. The milk samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after microwave-assisted digestion. Milk samples were categorized into three groups according to the element level intensity in the sample. While 70% of samples showed 2.5 times the maximum Turkish and European permissible level of lead, the lowest lead-contaminated sample exhibited 1.25 times this level. All the examined samples exceeded the maximum permissible limit administrated for arsenic and 35% of samples exhibited 5 times this limit. Results showed 40% of samples contain an antimony level higher than the Turkish maximum allowable concentration. The high antimony content of raw milk samples may be related to the release of antimony from the PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles. This study showed high contamination levels of the most toxic trace elements, i.e., lead and arsenic in milk and possible antimony contamination from PET bottles which may cause many health hazards for the consumers.

KEYWORDS:
Antimony; Heavy metal; PET bottle; Raw cow milk; Trace element

PMID: 31650329 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7851-z
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Select item 31650309
14.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 24;191(11):670. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7859-4.
LC-MS/MS method optimization and validation for trace-level analysis of 71 crop protection chemicals in pulses.
Banerjee T1, Gupta S2, Singh B2, Narayanan N2.
Author information
1
Division of Agricultural Chemicals, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India. banerjeetirthankar@rediffmail.com.
2
Division of Agricultural Chemicals, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India.
Abstract
An analytical method involving modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) technique coupled with LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy) has been developed for simultaneous identification and quantification of 71 pesticides (insecticides/acaricides/nematicides (32), fungicides (12), herbicides (26), plant growth regulator (1)) in different pulses (edible seeds of leguminous plants), namely gram, lentil, black gram and pea. The analysis was done using Shimadzu LC-MS/MS-8030 instrument equipped with Zorbax Eclipse Plus C-18 column operating under electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive and negative modes. Validation of method was done as per a single laboratory validation approach. Nine-point linear calibration curves for each pesticide were obtained in the range of 0.005 to 2 μg/g with correlation coefficient of ≥ 0.98. Limit of detection (LOD) for all the pesticides was achieved in the range of 0.001-0.015 μg/g, whereas the limit of quantification (LOQ) were found in the range of 0.01-0.05 μg/g. Recovery studies were conducted at 0.01- and 0.05-μg/g level of fortification using modified buffered QuEChERS method standardized for low moisture foods. It was observed that due to matrix interference, only around 75% of the pesticides were recovered in an acceptable range of 70-120% when compared against the solvent standard. With matrix-matched standards, 95% of the recovery results came within acceptable range with highly acceptable HorRat ratio (between 0.2 and 0.8) indicating satisfactory precision. The global and expanded uncertainties for estimation of each pesticide in above-mentioned pulse matrices were calculated to evaluate the suitability of the developed method for quantification of pesticides in pulse matrices.

KEYWORDS:
Fungicides; Herbicides; Insecticides; LC-MS/MS; Multiresidue method; Pulses; QuEChERS

PMID: 31650309 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7859-4
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Select item 31650301
15.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 25;191(11):672. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7816-2.
Diazinon negatively affects the integrity of environmental DNA stability: a case study with common carp (Cyprinus carpio).
Pourmoghadam MN1,2, Poorbagher H3, de Oliveira Fernandes JM2, Jafari O2,4.
Author information
1
Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Box 4314, Karaj, PO, Iran.
2
Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, 8049, Bodø, Norway.
3
Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Box 4314, Karaj, PO, Iran. poorbagher@ut.ac.ir.
4
Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.
Abstract
Environmental DNA (eDNA) has been used to detect the presence of various species in aquatic ecosystems, but its degradation by several environmental factors can influence the correct identification of aquatic organisms. The present study examined the effects of a pesticide, diazinon, on breakage of Cyprinus carpio eDNA. The specimens were exposed to 0 (control), 0.06, 0.1, and 1 ppm of diazinon for 9 days. Water samples were collected at three time points (3, 6, and 9 days postexposure, dpe), and eDNA was extracted. The cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene was successfully amplified by PCR, and a fuzzy inference system was used to convert DNA smears and breakage to numerical values. eDNA breakage percentage increased with diazinon concentration at all sampling times. At 3 dpe, the maximum eDNA breakage percentage occurred at 0.06 and 0.1 ppm of diazinon; whereas at 6 and 9 dpe, the maximum breakage was found at 1 ppm of diazinon, while exposure time had no significant effect. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that eDNA integrity can be compromised by a diazinon in surface waters. Hence, it is recommended that future eDNA studies take into account pesticide pollution when detecting aquatic species.

KEYWORDS:
Common carp; Cytochrome oxidase I; Diazinon; eDNA

PMID: 31650301 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7816-2
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Select item 31650269
16.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 24;191(11):662. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7818-0.
Seasonal variation in β-glucosidase-producing culturable bacterial diversity in a monsoon-influenced tropical estuary.
Eswaran R1, Khandeparker L2.
Author information
1
CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa, 403004, India.
2
CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa, 403004, India. klidita@nio.org.
Abstract
The episodic monsoon condition in a tropical estuarine environment inputs high allochthonous materials that are rich in carbohydrates and are mainly broken down by enzymatic hydrolysis thus alter both organic matter and microbial community composition of an estuary. β-Glucosidases are one of the enzymes mediating the degradation of carbohydrates and are majorly produced by heterotrophic bacteria. The present study elucidated β-glucosidase-producing culturable bacterial diversity and measured their activity during non-monsoon and monsoon seasons in Zuari estuary. The results revealed that both bacterial abundance and β-glucosidase activity decreased significantly from non-monsoon to monsoon, whereas phylogenetic diversity increased. Majority of β-glucosidase producers during non-monsoon belonged to the members of Bacillales (53%), Pseudomonadales (26%), and Vibrionales (11%) which shifted to the members of Enterobacteriales (51%), Bacillales (14%), Alteromonadales (12%), Aeromonadales (9%), Xanthomonadales (7%), Pseudomonadales (5%), and Flavobacteriales (2%) during the monsoon. The shift in bacterial community structure points out the occurrence of different allochthonous forms with carbohydrate-metabolizing ability during the monsoon, and their relevance in ecology and health of this estuary can be elucidated by studying their functional diversity and is a step ahead.

KEYWORDS:
Allochthonous; Carbohydrate degradation; Heterotrophic bacteria; Pathogens; Phylogenetic diversity

PMID: 31650269 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7818-0
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Grant support
Select item 31650261
17.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 25;191(11):673. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7821-5.
Random forest, support vector machine, and neural networks to modelling suspended sediment in Tigris River-Baghdad.
Al-Mukhtar M1.
Author information
1
Civil Engineering Department, University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq. mmalmukhtar@gmail.com.
Abstract
Suspended sediment is one of the most influential parameters on the water bodies' pollution. It can carry different pollutants with different concentration through the suspension movement in the flow. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to monitoring or modelling these loads so that an accurate sediment reduction strategy can be adopted. However, the monitoring process is laborious and time-consuming task. Thus, modelling is suggested as an alternative method. In this study, three different methods of artificial intelligence (i.e., random forest, support vector machine (Radial Basis Function), and artificial neural network) were employed to model and predict the suspended load at Sarai Station in Baghdad. To this end, observed flow rate (m3/s) and the corresponding suspended sediment concentration (mg/l) measured over the periods 1962-1981 and 2000-2010 were collected. Auto and partial correlation was used to identify the best combinations of input model data. The data was randomly partitioned into 75% for training and 25% for validation. The confidence interval was hypothesized to assess the uncertainty in the observed and predicted data. Whereas, the k-fold cross validation was used to quantify the uncertainty in the modelling results. The predictive modelling results for the three evaluated methods were assessed based on R2, RMSE, and NSE coefficient. Results show that random forest has the superior performance among the others. The total suspended sediment transported was estimated to be 72,734,852 ton during the period 2000-2010.

KEYWORDS:
Artificial intelligence; Sediment load; Tigris; Uncertainty analysis; k-fold partitioning

PMID: 31650261 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7821-5
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Select item 31650258
18.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 24;191(11):665. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7870-9.
Evaluating toxicity risk in sediments after remediation at a Superfund megasite using a Triad approach.
Harwood AD1, Sutherland GE2, Woller-Skar MM3, Lydy MJ4, Borrello MC2.
Author information
1
Environmental Studies and Biology, Alma College, Alma, MI, 48801, USA. harwoodad@alma.edu.
2
Environmental Studies and Biology, Alma College, Alma, MI, 48801, USA.
3
Department of Biology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, 49401, USA.
4
Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA.
Abstract
The Pine River downstream of the Velsicol Superfund site has been contaminated with various hydrophobic organic pollutants for more than 50 years. Remediation and sediment dredging near the site began in spring of 1999, and was completed in 2006. In 2011, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality completed a baseline assessment report long-term monitoring plan for the Pine River. However, there has been limited assessment of the benthic community since this evaluation. The objective of this research was to evaluate the risk of Pine River sediment to aquatic macroinvertebrates downstream from the Superfund site after decades of degradation and dredging using the Triad approach. Three sites were selected downstream from the Superfund site, and an upstream reference site was used. At each site, macroinvertebrates surveys were conducted and sediments were collected for chemical analysis of DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (4-chlorophenyl) ethane) and its degradation products and for laboratory toxicity testing for mortality and sublethal effects using Hyalella azteca and Chironomus dilutus. Sediment concentrations of DDT, DDD, and DDE were below levels expected to cause toxicity, and there was no observed toxicity in laboratory tests. Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences in richness, richness of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) species, total EPT abundance, percent EPT, or percent dominant taxa between the reference site and the downstream sites. There was an observed decrease in abundance of macroinvertebrate taxa at all downstream sites and a shift in macroinvertebrate structure when comparing the reference with most impaired sites. Although the sites downstream of the Superfund site remain different than the upstream control, there are improvements in species composition and abundance. However, more research is needed to evaluate the potential effects on ecosystem function.

KEYWORDS:
DDT; Macroinvertebrates; Remediation; Sediment

PMID: 31650258 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7870-9
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Select item 31650250
19.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 24;191(11):663. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7883-4.
Arsenic concentration, speciation, and risk assessment in sediments of the Xijiang River basin, China.
Wang HB1,2, Xu JM1, Gomez MA1, Shi ZL3, Li SF4, Zang SY1.
Author information
1
Liaoning Engineering Research Center for Treatment and Recycling of Industrially Discharged Heavy Metals, Shenyang, 110142, People's Republic of China.
2
College of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang, 110142, People's Republic of China.
3
Liaoning Engineering Research Center for Treatment and Recycling of Industrially Discharged Heavy Metals, Shenyang, 110142, People's Republic of China. shzhl2000@163.com.
4
Liaoning Engineering Research Center for Treatment and Recycling of Industrially Discharged Heavy Metals, Shenyang, 110142, People's Republic of China. li.shi.feng@163.com.
Abstract
In order to acquire the spatial distribution, speciation, and risk assessment of arsenic (As), 18 sediment samples were collected in the middle and upper reaches (Nanpan River, Beipan River, Hongshui River, Diaojiang River, and Duliu River) of the Xijiang River basin, China. The chemical fractions of As in the collected sediments were mainly dominated by the residual fraction and the Fe (Mn, Al) oxide/oxyhydroxides fractions. The correlation analysis results showed that the chemical fraction of As in sediments had close correlations with Mn, good correlations with Fe and organic matter (OM), while weak correlations with Al and carbonate. In addition, it also showed that Diaojiang River basin was found to have an extremely high As pollution status and suffered from high ecological risk. Duliu River and Nanpan River had moderately polluted levels of As and showed a low ecological risk. The other sample sites of Xijiang River basin were uncontaminated of As. The assessment results from this study indicated that the different types of species present based on the chemical fractionation of As from the Xijiang River basin showed different risks. Graphical abstract.

KEYWORDS:
As; Chemical fraction; Sediment analysis; Xijiang River

PMID: 31650250 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7883-4
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Select item 31650240
20.
Environ Monit Assess. 2019 Oct 24;191(11):661. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7869-2.
Information depth of elements affects accuracy of parallel pXRF in situ measurements of soils.
Hangen E1, Čermák P2, Geuß U3, Hlisnikovský L2.
Author information
1
Bavarian Environment Agency, Hans-Högn Str. 12, 95028, Hof, Germany. edzard.hangen@lfu.bayern.de.
2
Crop Research Institute, Drnovská 507, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
3
Bavarian Environment Agency, Hans-Högn Str. 12, 95028, Hof, Germany.
Abstract
Though not litigable in most European countries, portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometers (pXRF) provide cost- and time-effective as well as prompt information about hot spots of inorganic soil contaminants. The quality of aqua regia analysis of contaminants can be approximated by a thorough sample preparation, i.e., homogenization, grinding, and sieving of the examined soil before pXRF measurement is carried out. However, elaborate sample preparation causes a trade-off in terms of the desired straightforwardness of the pXRF method. For a first assessment of the in situ accuracy of pXRF measurements, two equal pXRF devices were used in parallel to determine the contents of As, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Rb, Sr, Zn, and Zr of 9 identical points of a riparian soil profile. Maximum measurement values were not restricted to one pXRF device, but changed from element to element. Pearson correlation coefficients of the parallel measurements varied between 0.07 (Cu) and 0.80 (Zn), reflecting small-scale heterogeneity of the soil constituents as well as element-specific interferences. For each element, overall deviations between measurement parallels were expressed as the root-mean-square error (RMSE) and contrasted against the element-specific information depth in soil, i.e., the depth interval, from which the received spectral signals originate. From this, a gradual relation could be derived: The greater the information depth, the more stable the measured element value turns out. This context should be taken into account, when interpreting contents of elements with small atomic numbers.

KEYWORDS:
Information depth; Measurement accuracy; Portable XRF; Soil contaminants

PMID: 31650240 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7869-2
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