Ambient ozone pollution is associated with decreased semen quality: longitudinal analysis of 8945 semen samples from 2015 to 2018 and during pollution-control period in Beijing, China / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Previous studies suggest that air pollution has a negative effect on semen quality. However, most studies are cross-sectional and the results are controversial. This study investigated the associations between air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3) and semen quality among sperm donation candidates, especially when the air pollution was artificially controlled in Beijing, China. We analyzed 8945 semen samples in the human sperm bank of Peking University Third Hospital (Beijing, China) from October 2015 to May 2018. Air pollution data during the entire period (0-90 days prior) and key stages (0-9, 10-14, and 70-90 days prior) of sperm development were collected from the China National Environmental Monitoring Centre. The association between air pollutants and semen parameters (sperm concentration and progressive motility) was analyzed by a mixed model adjusted for age, abstinence duration, month, and average ambient temperature. Only O3during key stages of 0-9 days and 10-14 days and the entire period was negatively associated with sperm concentration between 2015 and 2018 (P < 0.01). During the period of air pollution control from November 2017 to January 2018, except for the increase in O3concentration, other five pollutants' concentrations decreased compared to those in previous years. In this period, the sperm concentration decreased (P < 0.001). During the pollution-control period, O3exposure 10-14 days prior was negatively associated with sperm concentration (95% CI: -0.399--0.111; P < 0.001). No significant association was found between the other five pollutants and semen quality during that period. Our study suggested that only O3exposure was harmful to semen quality. Therefore, O3should not be neglected during pollution control operation.

Ambient ozone pollution is associated with decreased semen quality: Longitudinal analysis of 8945 semen samples from 2015 to 2018 and during pollution-control period in Beijing, China / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Previous studies suggest that air pollution has a negative effect on semen quality. However, most studies are cross-sectional and the results are controversial. This study investigated the associations between air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3) and semen quality among sperm donation candidates, especially when the air pollution was artificially controlled in Beijing, China. We analyzed 8945 semen samples in the human sperm bank of Peking University Third Hospital (Beijing, China) from October 2015 to May 2018. Air pollution data during the entire period (0-90 days prior) and key stages (0-9, 10-14, and 70-90 days prior) of sperm development were collected from the China National Environmental Monitoring Centre. The association between air pollutants and semen parameters (sperm concentration and progressive motility) was analyzed by a mixed model adjusted for age, abstinence duration, month, and average ambient temperature. Only O3 during key stages of 0-9 days and 10-14 days and the entire period was negatively associated with sperm concentration between 2015 and 2018 (P 0.01). During the period of air pollution control from November 2017 to January 2018, except for the increase in O3 concentration, other five pollutants' concentrations decreased compared to those in previous years. In this period, the sperm concentration decreased (P 0.001). During the pollution-control period, O3 exposure 10-14 days prior was negatively associated with sperm concentration (95% CI: -0.399--0.111; P 0.001). No significant association was found between the other five pollutants and semen quality during that period. Our study suggested that only O3 exposure was harmful to semen quality. Therefore, O3 should not be neglected during pollution control operation.

Enrichment of population density of a bacterial consortium during bioremediation of a soil under successive contaminations with diesel oil / Enriquecimento da densidade populacional de um consórcio bacteriano durante a biorremediação de um solo sob sucessivas contaminações com óleo diesel

The effect of successive soil contamination with diesel oil was evaluated on population dynamics of a bacterial consortium (Acinetobacter baumannii LBBMA 04, Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBBMA 58, Ochrobactrum anthropi LBBMA 88b, Acinetobacter baumannii LBBMAES11, and Bacillus subtilis LBBMA 155) and on biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons (n-C12-C22). After each contamination with diesel oil, soil samples were collected for assessment of bacterial population and sequence of petroleum hydrocarbons degradation. At 20 and 40 days, the highest percentage of degradation was observed for the higher carbon chain hydrocarbons (n-C21 and C22). After the third contamination, there was a considerable reduction of n-C21degradation and a high degradation of hydrocarbons n-C13-15, C17 and C19, which contrasts with the low values of degradation of these hydrocarbons in the two previous phases. The highest growth rate of all members of the consortium occurred from 0 to 20 days, but population increase continued up to the end of the experiment (except for B. subitillis strain, whose population stabilized after 20 days). Our results show that the recurrent contamination by hydrocarbons affected the population structure of bacterial consortium and increased the total population density of the bacterial consortium.

O efeito da contaminação do solo com óleo diesel foi avaliado sobre a dinâmica populacional bacteriana de um consórcio (Acinetobacter baumannii LBBMA 04, Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBBMA 58, Ochrobactrum anthropi LBBMA 88b, Acinetobacter baumannii LBBMAES11 e Bacillus subtilis LBBMA 155) e sobre a biodegradação de hidrocarbonetos de petróleo (n-C12-C22). Após cada evento de contaminação com óleo diesel, foram coletadas amostras de solo para avaliação das populações bacterianas e da sequência de degradação de hidrocarbonetos de petróleo. Aos 20 e 40 dias, a maior porcentagem de degradação foi observada para os hidrocarbonetos de cadeia de carbono mais elevada (n-C21 e C22). Após a terceira contaminação, houve redução considerável da degradação de n-C21 e alta degradação dos hidrocarbonetos n-C13-15, C17 e C19, o que contrasta com os baixos valores de degradação desses hidrocarbonetos nas duas fases anteriores. A maior taxa de crescimento de todos os membros do consórcio ocorreu entre 0 e 20 dias, mas o aumento populacional continuou até o final do experimento (com exceção da linhagem B. subitilis, cuja população se estabilizou após 20 dias). Os resultados mostram que a contaminação sucessiva do solo com óleo diesel afetou a estrutura populacional do consórcio bacteriano e proporcionou aumento da densidade populacional total das bactérias.

Preliminary study on RC membrane permeability and mechanism of seven traditional Chinese medicine alkaloids such as berberine / 中国中药杂志

In order to analyze the law of membrane permeation of different alkaloids, seven traditional Chinese medicine alkaloids with different parent nucleus and substituent structures, including berberine, palmatine, sinomenine, matrine, oxymatrine, sophoridine, and tetrandrine, were prepared into the simulated solution with same molar concentration, and the membrane penetrating experiments with membrane RC1K and membrane RC5K were carried out. The dynamic transmittance, the total transmittance and the total adsorption rate of each substance were measured, and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the membrane surface before and after the membrane experiment were considered to predict and analyze the reason of differences in dynamic transmittance of different alkaloids. The results showed that there were significant differences in the dynamic transmittance of the chemical constituents of different alkaloids during penetrating the two membranes. The contamination degree on the surface of the membrane material was also different. The transmittance of the same compound through the RC5K membrane was larger than that through RC1K membrane. Within a certain range, the smaller the pore size of the membrane, the better the selective screening effect on the chemical constituents of traditional Chinese medicine. All the membrane surfaces were less polluted. The difference in transmittance between different substances on the same membrane showed a positive correlation with the difference in structural complexity, providing an experimental basis for the surface modification design in contamination control of membrane materials. In the design of membrane modified material, the surface properties of the membrane can be improved by grafting different polar groups, thereby changing the adsorption characteristics of the membrane surface. The pore size was designed accordingly to achieve the high transmittance and low pollution of the corresponding compounds.

O uso de estratégias focadas em resultados para o controle da poluição hídrica no Brasil / The use of goal-oriented strategies for water pollution control in Brazil

RESUMO O presente artigo objetivou apresentar uma visão geral sobre o emprego de estratégias focadas em resultados (EFR), tais como a de pagamento por resultados (PPR) e a de pagamento por serviços ambientais (PSA), na redução e no controle da poluição hídrica em áreas urbanas e rurais do país. Para isso, considerando-se sempre o objetivo da Gestão Integrada de Recursos Hídricos (GIRH), duas experiências de alcance nacional foram revisitadas: a do Programa Despoluição de Bacias Hidrográficas (Prodes) e a do Programa Produtor de Águas, ambos executados pela Agência Nacional de Águas (ANA), o primeiro iniciado há mais de uma década. Esses programas ilustram abordagens bem-sucedidas de aproximação do poder público com os setores usuários de água, nesse caso, os setores de saneamento e agricultura, respectivamente. Por fim, foram discutidas a aplicabilidade e as perspectivas para a implementação de novas iniciativas de EFR para GIRH no Brasil.

ABSTRACT This paper presents an overview about the use of goal-oriented strategies, such as output-based aid (OBA) and payment for environmental services (PES), for water pollution abatement and control in urban and rural areas throughout the country. Thus, considering the goal of implementing IWRM, two nation-wide experiences are reviewed: the River Basin Clean-Up Program (PRODES) and the Water Producer Program, both run by the National Water Agency (ANA), the former initiated over a decade ago. They illustrate successful ways to bring public authorities and water users together, in this case, sanitation services and landowners, respectively. Finally, it is discussed the applicability and perspectives for carrying out new goal-oriented initiatives aimed at IWRM in Brazil.

XRF analysis of sediments from Nuevitas Bay (Cuba): assessment of current heavy metal contamination / Análisis por FRX de sedimentos de la Bahía de Nuevitas (Cuba): evaluación de la contaminación actual por metales pesados

Concentrations of chromium, nickel, copper, zinc and lead in surface sediments from six stations located in Nuevitas Bay (Cuba) were estimated by X-ray fluorescence analysis. The Cr content in sediments shows a strong variation across the studied stations (89-513 ), in contrast with the other elements studied. The application of modified degree of contamination () classifies as moderate the contamination of Nuevitas Bay. The comparison with Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) and toxicity mean quotients shows that 100 % of the sediments are associated with the occasional presence of possible adverse effects to human health.

Se determinan, mediante el análisis por fluorescencia de rayos X, las concentraciones de cromo, níquel, cobre, zinc y plomo en sedimentos superficiales de seis estaciones de la Bahía de Nuevitas en Cuba. El contenido de cromo se determinó con un intervalo de gran variación (89-513 ) en las estaciones estudiadas. La aplicación del grado de contaminación modificado () clasificó la contaminación de los sedimentos de la Bahía de Nuevitas como de “grado moderado”. La comparación con las Guías de Calidad de Sedimentos y del cociente promedio de toxicidad, mostró que el 100 % de los sedimentos estudiados están asociados a la presencia ocasional de posibles efectos adversos a la salud humana.

Analise de Modos e Efeitos de Falha na avaliacao dos impactos ambientais provenientes do abate animal / Failure Mode and Effect Analysis for the evaluation of environmental impacts of animal slaughter

A Análise de Modos e Efeitos de Falha (AMEF) é um método de análise de produto ou processo para detectar e eliminar problemas potenciais de forma sistemática e completa. Os abatedouros levam a significativos impactos sobre o meio ambiente, sendo que o maior problema nesses processos é a falta de equipamentos modernos para promover a remoção de gases fétidos e efluentes tóxicos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi elaborar os formulários de aplicação do FMEA em um frigorífico de médio porte da região de Poços de Caldas (MG), o qual realiza abates de bovinos e suínos, cujo intuito foi diagnosticar os potenciais riscos gerados pelo frigorífico, e aos controles ambientais exercidos em relação à linha de abate e graxaria. Observou-se que a indústria frigorífica representa um grande potencial poluidor sobre os efluentes naturais, pois o sangue resultante do abate é um agente de grande impacto sobre o ecossistema hídrico.

The Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is a method of product or process analysis to detect and eliminate potential problems in a systematic and complete way. The abattoirs lead to significant impacts on the environment, which the major problem in those processes is the lack of modern equipment to promote the removal of malodorous gases and toxic effluents. The aim of this study was to elaborate the FMEA application forms in a medium-sized abattoir in the region of Poços de Caldas (MG), which performs the cattle and pig slaughter, with the purpose of diagnosing its potential risks caused, and the environmental controls exercised in relation to the slaughter line and rendering plant. It was observed that the meat industry represents a great potential pollution on the natural effluents, because the resulting blood of the slaughter is an agent of great impact on the water ecosystem.

Niveles de radionúclidos naturales y metales pesados en suelos urbanos de la ciudad de Cienfuegos, Cuba / Heavy metal and natural radionuclide levels in urban soils from Cienfuegos city, Cuba

Se determinan las concentraciones de metales pesados y radionúclidos naturales en suelos superficiales (0-10 cm) de la ciudad de Cienfuegos, Cuba, mediante las técnicas de fluorescencia de rayos X y espectrometría gamma respectivamente. Los resultados de la medición de metales pesados mostraron que las concentraciones promedio de Ni, Cu, Zn y Pb en los suelos estudiados son superiores a los valores correspondientes de fondo. El cálculo del Índice de Polución Integral permitió determinar que estos suelos presentan una contaminación severa por metales pesados. Las concentraciones de , y en los suelos urbanos de Cienfuegos se encuentran en los intervalos de 8.3-32.7, 3.7-10.7 y 129-356 , con promedios de 22.6, 6.3 y 272 respectivamente, valores que son similares a los reportados para la zona Centro-Sur de Cuba. La tasa de dosis absorbida en aire y la dosis equivalente efectiva anual que recibe la población local producto de la radiación natural es inferior a los límites establecidos internacionalmente. Se determinaron correlaciones positivas significativas de -Cu y -Zn, indicando la posible presencia de una fuente de contaminación por estos elementos en la zona.

Concentrations of heavy metals and natural radionuclides in topsoil (0-10cm) from Cienfuegos city, Cuba, were determined by using X-ray fluorescence analysis and gamma ray spectrometry, respectively. The measured results of heavy metals show that the mean concentrations of Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb in the studied soil samples are higher than their corresponding background values. The calculated results of integrated pollution index of heavy metals indicate that the studied soils present severely heavy metal contamination. The concentrations of , and in the studied soil samples range from 8.3 to 32.7, 3.7 to 10.7 and 129 to 356 with an average of 22.6, 6.3 and 272 , respectively, which are similar than the average concentrations reported for South-central Cuban soils. The air absorbed dose rate and the annual effective dose equivalent received by the local residents due to the natural radionuclides in soil are lesser than the worldwide established limits. A significantly positive -Cu and -Zn correlations were determined, indicating the possible existence of a source of pollution due to the presence of these elements in the area.

Characterization of an acidification and equalization tank (AET) operating as a primary treatment of swine liquid effluent

This work evaluated the potential of the acidification equalization tank (AET) used as a primary treatment unit, treating the hog farming wastewater. The treatment system consisted of a degritter with a triangular-notch weir, for measuring the flow, a static sieve, and an acidification and equalization tank (AET), an anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR), an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor, a settling tank, a greenhouse for fertirrigation and two infiltration ponds. The AET had a net capacity of 8,000 liters, internally covered with asphalt blanket, worked based on surface loading rates application. The unit operated continuously, with its flow varying from 0.1 to 10 L s-1. To determine the efficiency, the following parameters were measured: pH; COD; BOD; volatile and fixed solids; settleable solids; total, intermediate and partial alkalinity and total acidity. The COD removal varied from 5 to 20%. The average pH was 7.3 and the total, intermediate and partial alkalinity in the effluent, were 1919, 846, 1197 mg L-1, respectively. The total acidity in the effluent was 34 mg L-1. The influent and effluent total BOD and oil & grease concentrations were 3436 and 3443 mg L-1, and 415 and 668 mg L-1, respectively. It was found that the AET worked properly concerning the acidification, equalization and sedimentation processes, confirming low cost of implementation and easy operation, when compared to other traditional decanters.

Adsorption potentialites of bio-sorbents derived from prosopis cineraria and hibiscus rosa-sinensis in the removal of methyl orange dye from polluted waters.

Leaves, stems and their ashes of Prosopis cineraria and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis have been explored for their surface sorption abilities towards Methyl Orange Dye using simulated waters. Various physicochemical parameters such as pH, time of equilibration and sorbent concentrations are optimized for evoking the sorption potentialities of the plant materials for the maximum extraction of the Methyl Orange Dye from waters. The surface sorption nature is found to pH sensitive and % of removal is maximum near pH: 3. % removal of the Dye is more with ashes than respective bio-materials. Co-anions, in fivefold excess, are found to be interfering in the order: trivalent anion>divalent > monovalent while co-cations have shown relatively less interference on the extraction of the Dye at optimum conditions of extraction. The adoptability of the methodologies developed is tested with some real industrial effluents.

Extraction of methylene blue dye from polluted waters using some bio-adsorbents.

Sorbents derived from roots of Tephrosia purpurea, leaves and stems of Terminalia Arjuna and Bivalve snail shells have been explored for their sorption abilities towards Methylene Blue using synthetically prepared simulated waste waters. It is found that at high pHs, these bio-materials have shown strong affinity towards Methylene Blue. The physicochemical properties such as pH, sorbent concentration and time of equilibration have been optimized for the maximum removal of Methylene Blue from waste waters. Methodologies have been developed to extract good quantities of the dye. The roots powder of Tephrosia Purpurea has been proved to very effective even at 1.0 gm/500 ml of the sorption concentration at pH :8 or 10. More than 95.0% of extraction of Methylene Blue has been found with the bark powders of Terminalia Arjuna at all pH of study viz., 2-10. Interference of Fivefold excess of common anions and cations present in natural waters, have been studied. Anions have not interfered while Cation like Ca2+, Mg2+ and Cu2+ have shown some interference but Fe2+ and Zn2+ have synergistically maintained the maximum extraction of the dye. The procedures developed have been successfully applied to some industrial effluent.

New bio-sorbents in the control of chromium (VI) pollution in waste waters.

The sorption abilities of leaves powders of Bhringraj , Aerva lanata, Trianthema portulacastrum L for extracting Chromium (VI) from polluted waters have been studied with respect to various physicochemical parameters such as pH, sorption dosage and equilibrium time. The conditions for maximum removal of Chromium (VI) have been optimized. Ten fold excess of common cation ions present in natural waters, viz., Ca2+, Mg2+ , Cu2+, Zn2+, Ni2+ and Fe2+ have synergistic effect in increasing the % removal of Chromate. SO4 2—and Phosphates are found to be interfering with the extractability of Chromates but NO3 - , Chloride, Fluoride and Carbonate have marginal interference. However, the extraction has never come down below 72.0%. Maximum extractions to an extent of 96.0%, 92.0%, and 84.0% from synthetic waters are observed with the leaves powders of Bhringraj , Aerva lanata, Trianthema portulacastrum L respectively at pH:2 and at optimum equilibration time and sorbent concentrations. The methodologies developed are applied to diverse waste water samples collected from industrial effluents and polluted lakes. The procedures are found to be remarkably successful in removing the Chromiume(VI) from waste waters.

Removal of phosphates from polluted waters using bio-adsosrbents.

Increasing interest is being envisaged by environmental researchers in controlling the phosphates pollution in natural waters by evoking the surface sorption characteristics of bio-waste materials of flora origin. In the present work, a thorough investigation has been made to find powders of leaves or their ashes of different classes of plants, having the affinity towards phosphate ions. 10 plant leaves and their ashes have been found to have sensitivity towards Phosphate ion. Investigations have been made in optimizing the various physico-chemical parameters such as equilibration time, pH and sorption dosage for the maximum removal of phosphates. The % of removal is found to be increasing with the increase in pH and equilibration time. The ashes of leaves shows more sorption towards phosphates than powders of leaves.79% to 90% removal of phosphate from polluted waters are found at optimum conditions with the sorbents investigated in this work. The interference of foreign ions on the % of extraction of phosphate reveals that some divalent cations are found be synergizing the extraction and thereby % of removal of Phosphate is increased even in the presence of 500 ppm of the said ions.