Manganese in residential drinking water from a community-initiated case study in Massachusetts

Background: Manganese (Mn) is a metal commonly found in drinking water, but the level that is safe for consumption is unknown. In the United States (U.S.), Mn is not regulated in drinking water and data on water Mn concentrations are temporally and spatially sparse. Objective: Examine temporal and spatial variability of Mn concentrations in repeated tap water samples in a case study of Holliston, Massachusetts (MA), U.S., where drinking water is pumped from shallow aquifers that are vulnerable to Mn contamination. Methods: We collected 79 residential tap water samples from 21 households between September 2018 and December 2019. Mn concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We calculated descriptive statistics and percent of samples exceeding aesthetic (secondary maximum containment level; SMCL) and lifetime health advisory (LHA) guidelines of 50 µg/L and 300 µg/L, respectively. We compared these concentrations to concurrent and historic water Mn concentrations from publicly available data across MA. Results: The median Mn concentration in Holliston residential tap water was 2.3 µg/L and levels were highly variable (range: 0.03–5,301.8 µg/L). Mn concentrations exceeded the SMCL and LHA in 14% and 12% of samples, respectively. Based on publicly available data across MA from 1994–2022, median Mn concentration was 17.0 µg/L (N = 37,210; range: 1–159,000 µg/L). On average 40% of samples each year exceeded the SMCL and 9% exceeded the LHA. Samples from publicly available data were not evenly distributed between MA towns or across sampling years. Impact statement: This study is one of the first to examine Mn concentrations in drinking water both spatially and temporally in the U.S. Findings suggest that concentrations of Mn in drinking water frequently exceed current guidelines and occur at concentrations shown to be associated with adverse health outcomes, especially for vulnerable and susceptible subpopulations like children. Future studies that comprehensively examine exposure to Mn in drinking water and its associations with children’s health are needed to protect public health. © 2023, The Author(s)

Ediacaran discs from South America: probable soft-bodied macrofossils unlock the paleogeography of the Clymene Ocean

The origin, affinity and paleoecology of macrofossils of soft-bodied organisms of the terminal Ediacaran Period have been highly debated. Previous discoveries in South America are restricted to small shelly metazoans of the Nama Assemblage. Here we report for the first time the occurrence of discoidal structures from the Upper Ediacaran Cerro Negro Formation, La Providencia Group, Argentina. Specimens are preserved in tabular sandstones with microbially-induced sedimentary structures. Flute marks and linear scours at the base of the sandstone layers indicate deposition under high energy, episodic flows. Stratigraphic, sedimentologic, petrographic and taphonomic analyses indicate that the origin of these structures is not related to abiotic process. Preservational and morphological features, as invagination and the presence of radial grooves, indicate that they resemble typical morphs of the Aspidella plexus. The large number of small-sized individuals and the wide range of size classes with skewed distribution suggest that they lived in high-density communities. The presence of Aspidella in the Cerro Negro Formation would represent the first reliable record of Ediacaran soft-bodied organisms in South America. It also supports the paleogeographic scenario of the Clymene Ocean, in which a shallow sea covered part of the southwest Gondwana at the end of the Ediacaran.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y MuseoCentro de Investigaciones Geológica

An environmental study of the ultraluminous X-ray source population in early-type galaxies

Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) are some of the brightest phenomena found outside of a galaxy's nucleus, and their explanation typically invokes accretion of material onto a black hole. Here, we perform the largest population study to date of ULXs in early-type galaxies, focusing on whether a galaxy's large-scale environment can affect its ULX content. Using the AMUSE survey, which includes homogeneous X-ray coverage of 100 elliptical galaxies in the Virgo cluster and a similar number of elliptical galaxies in the field (spanning stellar masses of 108-1012 M ☉), we identify 37.9 ± 10.1 ULXs in Virgo and 28.1 ± 8.7 ULXs in the field. Across both samples, we constrain the number of ULXs per unit stellar mass, i.e., the ULX specific frequency, to be 0.062 ± 0.013 ULXs per 10 10 M ☉ (or about 1 ULX per 1.6 × 10 11 M ☉ of galaxy stellar mass). We find that the number of ULXs, the specific frequency of ULXs, and the average ULX spectral properties are all similar in both cluster and field environments. Contrary to late-type galaxies, we do not see any trend between specific ULX frequency and host galaxy stellar mass, and we show that dwarf ellipticals host fewer ULXs than later-type dwarf galaxies at a statistically meaningful level. Our results are consistent with ULXs in early-type galaxies probing the luminous tail of the low-mass X-ray binary population, and are briefly discussed in context of the influence of gravitational interactions on the long-term evolution of a galaxy's (older) stellar population

ECHeMA :ElectroChemical Sensors for Heavy Metal Analysis in Point of Care Applications

Healthcare monitoring still lacks of point-of-care (POC) devices for heavy metal detection in human blood. Gold standard techniques currently employed – (AAS) atomic absorption spectroscopy and (ICP-MS) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry - require voluminous and expensive equipments, specialized personnel and large sample volumes to perform the analysis. These characteristics make them unfeasible for on-the-field applications[1,2]. On the other side, electrochemical detection of heavy metals can be pursued with cost effective, disposable sensors and little amount of volumes. Lead (Pb) and Manganese (Mn) levels are worth to be monitored as target toxicant metals. Reasons for this assumption include their increasing presence in the environment associated to human activities and their severe impairment on the central nervous system (CNS) even at low exposure levels. Commercially available electrochemical sensors featuring gold (Au) working electrodes (WE) are applied for quantitative identification of lead (Pb) via square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) , whereas the same devices with platinum (Pt) electrodes are analyzed for manganese evaluation through square wave cathodic stripping voltammetry (SWCSV). Despite all the efforts made by several research groups in environmental samples, little has yet been done on real human blood. Successful preliminary tests on human blood samples are achieved for lead determination and the right path for manganese has been traced. The ease of fabrication through well developed techniques and cost effectiveness of the sensors and the ability of handling small amount of volumes (droplets of 10μL) for each measurement make this approach a viable way for effective on-the-field application. In the next future its integration with microfluidic devices for sample preparation will bring to reality the dream for portable ‘metallometer

Potentiometric Sensor System with Self-Calibration for Long-Term, In Situ Measurements

We built an integrated solid-contact ion-selective electrode (SCISE) system with the functionality of self-calibration. A multiplexed SCISE sensor (K+ and NO3− vs. Ag/AgCl) was fabricated on printed-circuit board (PCB) substrates and was subsequently embedded into a microfluidic flow cell for self-calibration and flow-through analysis. A PCB circuit that includes modules for both sensor readout and fluid control was developed. The sensors showed a fast and near-Nernstian response (56.6 for the K+ electrode and −57.4 mV/dec for the NO3− electrode) and maintained their performance for at least three weeks. The sensors also showed a highly reproducible response in an automated two-point calibration, demonstrating the potential for in situ monitoring. Lastly, the sensor system was successfully applied to measure mineral nutrients in plant sap samples

A ZONING STUDY OF THE VITICULTURAL TERRITORY OF ACOOPERATIVE WINERY IN VALPOLICELLA

The Valpolicella hilly area, north of Verona, is highly vocated for viticulture but its vineyards are sometimes characterized by very different soil and microclimate conditions which can greatly affect their oenological potential. A zoning study promoted by the Cooperative Winery Valpolicella (Negrar, Verona, Italy) was carried out with the aim of evaluating the oenological potential of the vineyards of the Winery associated growers. The final objective is to improve in general the quality of the wines and in particular to increase the production of premium wines (Amarone and Recioto). On the basis of the results obtained from 12 reference vineyards spread on a wine territory of about 500 ha, it was possible to distinguish zones with different performances with regard to yield and technological quality of the grapes, which in turn was reflected in the quality of the corresponding wine

Effectiveness of a Protocol to Reduce Children’s Exposure to Particulate Matter and NO2 in Schools during Alert Days

Reducing children’s exposure to air pollutants should be considered a primary goal, especially for the most vulnerable subjects. The goal of this study was to test the effectiveness of applying a protocol in the event of alert days, i.e., days with forecasted PM10 levels above the EU limit value (50 µg/m3). The test was conducted, before the onset of SARS-CoV-2 restrictions, in a classroom of a primary school in Parma (Italy)—a highly polluted area in Northern Italy. The protocol included indications for the frequency of opening windows and doors, as well as the activation of an air purifier. Teachers and students were asked to apply the protocol only in the event of alert days, while no indications were provided for non-alert days. A monitoring system measuring PM1, PM2.5, PM10, CO2, and NO2 was deployed in the classroom. Measurements of the same parameters were also performed outdoors near the school. The application of the protocol reduced the indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratio for all toxic pollutants. The reduction was also remarkable for PM10—the most critical air quality parameter in the study area (1.5 and 1.1 for non-alert and alert days, respectively). Indoor concentrations of PM10—especially during non-alert days—were often higher than outdoors, showing a major contribution from resuspension due to the movement of people and personal cloud. The protocol did not cause any increase in indoor CO2 levels. Our findings showed that the application of a ventilation protocol together with the contribution of an air purifier may represent an effective way to reduce children’s exposure to air pollution during severe air pollution episodes. Considering the onset of COVID-19 and the airborne transmission of pathogens, this protocol now has more meaningful implications for children’s welfare, and can be integrated with protocols designed as measures against the spread of SARS-CoV-2

Effectiveness of a protocol to reduce children exposure to par-2 ticulate matter and NO2 in schools during alert days

Reduction of children exposure to air pollutants should be considered a primary goal, especially for the most vulnerable subjects. The goal of the study consisted in testing the effectiveness of applying a protocol in case of alert days, i.e. days with forecasted PM10 levels above the EU limit value (50 g/m3). The test was conducted, before the onset of SARS-Cov2 restrictions, in a classroom of a primary school in Parma (Italy), a highly polluted area in Northern Italy. The protocol included indications for the frequency of windows and door opening, and the activation of an air purifier. Teachers and students were asked to apply the protocol only in case of alert days while no indications were provided for no alert days. A monitoring system measuring PM1, PM2.5, PM10, CO2 and NO2 was deployed in a classroom. Measurements of the same parameters were also performed outdoors near the school. The application of the protocol reduced the Indoor/Outdoor (I/O) ratio for all toxic pollutants. The reduction was remarkable also for PM10, the most critical air quality parameter in the study area (1.5 and 1.1 for no alert and alert days, respectively). Indoor concentrations of PM10 especially during no alert days were often higher than outdoors showing a major contribution from resuspension due to people movement and personal cloud. The protocol did not cause any increase in indoor CO2 levels. Our findings showed that the application of a ventilation protocol together with the contribution of an air purifier may represent an effective way to reduce children exposure to air pollution during severe air pollution episodes. Considering the onset of COVID-19 and air transmission of pathogens, this protocol has now a more meaningful impact on children welfare and can be integrated with protocols designed as measures against SARS-Cov2 spread

Inhibitory Effect against Listeria monocytogenes of Carbon Nanoparticles Loaded with Copper as Precursors of Food Active Packaging

Human listeriosis is a serious foodborne disease of which outbreaks are occurring increasingly frequently in Europe. Around the world, different legal requirements exist to guarantee food safety. Nanomaterials are increasingly used in the food industry as inhibitors of pathogens, and carbon nanomaterials are among the most promising. In the present study, novel carbon nanoparticles loaded with copper (CNP-Cu) were prepared, and their antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes was assessed. CNPs of two sizes were synthesized and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), electrophoretic light scattering (ELS) and electron microscopy (EM). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CNP-Cu was determined in accordance with the available standard. To get insights into its mechanism of action, the release of copper ions into a cell media was assessed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission (ICP-OE), and the ability of loaded CNPs to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) was evaluated by EPR spectroscopy. Finally, the extent of release of copper in a food simulant was assessed. The results demonstrated the antimicrobial effectiveness of CNP-Cu, with growth inhibition up to 85% and a release of copper that was more pronounced in an acidic food simulant. Overall, the results indicate CNP-Cu as a promising agent for the design of active food packaging which is able to improve food shelf-life