Benzotriazoles, Alkylphenols and Bisphenol A in Municipal Wastewaters and in the Glatt River, Switzerland

-: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/espr2006.01.295 Background: Many organic micropollutants occur at trace concentrations in municipal wastewater effluents and in the aquatic environment. Some of these xenobiotic chemicals can be considered as 'emerging' contaminants and some are suspect to have endocrine disrupting effects. Among the latter are nonylphenol (NP), octylphenol (OP) and bisphenol A (BPA), which deserve special attention due to their ubiquitous occurrence in the aquatic environment. The complexing agents benzotriazole (BT) and tolyltriazole (TT) are applied as anticorrosive agents (e.g. in cooling and hydraulic fluids, in antifreezing fluids, in aircraft deicing fluids, in dish washing liquids for silver protection), as antifogging agents and as intermediates for the synthesis of various chemicals. The environmental occurrence of NP and OP is caused by the fact that they are intermediate products (metabolites) in the biodegradation of alkylphenol polyethoxylate surfactants. BPA is globally used for the production of polycarbonate and epoxy resins. Methods: BT, TT, NP, OP and BPA were quantitatively determined in municipal wastewater effluents in Switzerland and in the Glatt River. The analytes were enriched by solid-phase enrichment. BT and TT were determined underivatized by electrospray LC/tandem MS. Reversed-phase LC was performed on octylsilica columns with isocratic water/methanol elution. Multiple reaction monitoring of the positive ions provided selective and sensitive detection for reliable quantifications. NP, OP and BPA were determined by GC/MS after derivatization with N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)-trifluoroacetamide. Results and Discussion: BT and TT concentrations in primary and secondary effluents of municipal wastewater treatment plants varied from below 10 to 100 µg/L. The ranges of the concentrations in the Glatt River in ng/L were 636-3,690 for BT, 122-628 for TT, 68-326 for NP, 6-22 for OP and 9-76 for BPA. The corresponding mass flows in g/d were 93-1,870 for BT, 18-360 for TT, 24-183 for NP, 1-16 for OP and 2-72 for BPA. The concentrations and mass flows of NP in the River Glatt were drastically lower than the analogous values found 15 years ago. Thus, a substantially decreased environmental exposure can be observed due to the reduction of the use of alkyphenol polyethoxylate surfactants in Switzerland. The current concentrations of NP, OP and BPA are within the ranges reported for weakly impacted surface waters. Conclusion: The investigated contaminants occur at quantitatively measurable but varying concentrations in municipal wastewaters and in the Glatt River reflecting their ubiquitous input into wastewaters and their different behaviour during biological wastewater treatmen

GROUNDWATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF THE MAJOR THESSALONIKI AREA

ΑΝΤΙΚΕΙΜΕΝΟ ΤΗΣ ΔΙΑΤΡΙΒΗΣ ΗΤΑΝ Η ΜΕΛΕΤΗ ΤΗΣ ΠΟΙΟΤΗΤΑΣ ΤΩΝ ΥΠΟΓΕΙΩΝ ΝΕΡΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΕΥΡΥΤΕΡΗΣ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΗΣ ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΕΠΙΔΡΑΣΗΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΝΘΡΩΠΙΝΩΝ ΔΡΑΣΤΗΡΙΟΤΗΤΩΝ Σ'ΑΥΤΑ. ΣΤΟ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΟ ΔΙΑΣΤΗΜΑ 1989-1991 ΕΓΙΝΑΝ ΔΕΙΓΜΑΤΟΛΗΨΙΕΣ ΥΠΟΓΕΙΩΝ ΝΕΡΩΝΑΠΟ ΓΕΩΤΡΗΣΕΙΣ ΠΟΥ ΒΡΙΣΚΟΝΤΑΙ ΣΤΗΝ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΗ. ΣΤΑ ΔΕΙΓΜΑΤΑ ΠΡΟΣΔΙΟΡΙΣΤΗΚΑΝ ΦΥΣΙΚΟΧΗΜΙΚΕΣ ΠΑΡΑΜΕΤΡΟΙ ΤΩΝ ΝΕΡΩΝ ΑΛΛΑ ΚΑΙ ΟΡΙΣΜΕΝΑ ΒΑΡΕΑ ΜΕΤΑΛΛΑ-ΤΟΞΙΚΑ ΣΤΟΙΧΕΙΑ. ΑΠΟ ΤΑ ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΣΜΑΤΑ ΤΩΝ ΑΝΑΛΥΣΕΩΝ ΠΡΟΕΚΥΨΑΝ ΣΥΜΠΕΡΑΣΜΑΤΑ ΠΟΥ ΑΦΟΡΟΥΣΑΝ ΤΗΝ ΠΟΙΟΤΗΤΑ ΤΩΝ ΥΠΟΓΕΙΩΝ ΝΕΡΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΤΑ ΕΠΙΠΕΔΑ ΣΥΓΚΕΝΤΡΩΣΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΒΑΡΕΩΝ ΜΕΤΑΛΛΩΝ. ΤΑ ΝΕΡΑ ΤΑΞΙΝΟΜΗΘΗΚΑΝ ΜΕ ΒΑΣΗ ΤΗΝ ΠΑΡΟΥΣΙΑ ΤΩΝ ΚΥΡΙΟΤΕΡΩΝ ΑΝΙΟΝΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΚΑΤΙΟΝΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΠΡΟΕΚΥΨΑΝ ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΠΡΟΕΛΕΥΣΗ ΤΟΥΣ ΚΑΙ ΓΙΑ ΤΙΣ ΦΥΣΙΚΟΧΗΜΙΚΕΣ ΔΙΕΡΓΑΣΙΕΣ ΠΟΥ ΣΥΜΒΑΙΝΟΥΝ ΣΤΟΝ ΥΔΡΟΦΟΡΕΑ. ΕΠΙΠΛΕΟΝ ΤΑ ΝΕΡΑ ΧΑΡΑΚΤΗΡΙΣΤΗΚΑΝ ΩΣ ΠΡΟΣ ΤΗΝ ΤΑΣΗ ΤΟΥΣ ΝΑ ΑΠΟΘΕΤΟΥΝ Η ΝΑ ΔΙΑΛΥΟΥΝ ΟΡΙΣΜΕΝΑ ΟΡΥΚΤΑ. ΕΓΙΝΑΝ ΕΚΤΙΜΗΣΕΙΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΙΣ ΔΙΕΡΓΑΣΙΕΣ ΠΟΥ ΚΑΘΟΡΙΖΑΝ ΤΗΝ ΚΑΤΑΝΟΜΗ ΤΩΝ ΜΕΤΑΛΛΩΝ ΜΕΤΑΞΥ ΥΓΡΗΣ- ΣΤΕΡΕΗΣ ΦΑΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΟΙ ΥΨΗΛΕΣ ΣΥΓΚΕΝΤΡΩΣΕΙΣ ΑΡΣΕΝΙΚΟΥ ΑΠΟΔΟΘΗΚΑΝ ΣΕ ΓΕΩΓΕΝΗ ΑΙΤΙΑ.THE AIM OF THIS STUDY WAS TO EVALUATE THE QUALITY OF GROUNDWATER OF THE AREA LOCATED N-NW OF THESSALONIKI AND TO INVESTIGATE THE EXTEND TO WHICH GROUNDWATER QUALITY IS INFLUENCED BY NATURAL PROCESSES OR BY HUMAN ACTIVITIES. GROUNDWATER SAMPLES WERE COLLECTED DURING THE PERIOD 1989-1991 FROM WELL LOCATED IN EXAMINED AREA. QUALITY PARAMETERS AND TOXIC ELEMENTS WERE DETERMINED IN THE SAMPLES. GROUNDWATER WAS CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO THE MAJOR ANIONS, IONIC RATIOS AND SATURATION INDICES. THE CONCENTRATIONS OF HEAVY METALS WERE INFLUENCEDBY ION- EXCHANGE COMPLEXATION AND DESORPTION PHENOMENA. HIGH CONCENTRATIONSOF ARSENIC FOUND IN DEEP WELLS WERE ATTRIBUTED TO NATURAL-GEOGENIC ORIGIN

Release of bisphenol-A from a light-cured adhesive bonded to lingual fixed retainers

Our aim was to quantitatively determine the bisphenol-A (BPA) released from a light-cured orthodontic adhesive used to bond lingual fixed retainers

Occurrence of Disinfection By-Products in Swimming Pools in the Area of Thessaloniki, Northern Greece. Assessment of Multi-Pathway Exposure and Risk

This study investigated the occurrence of disinfection by-products (DBPs) (trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs), halonitriles (HANs), halonitromethane (TCNM) and haloketones (HKs)) in different type of swimming pools in the area of Thessaloniki, northern Greece by employing the EPA methods 551.1 and 552.3. Moreover, general water quality parameters (pH, residual chlorine, dissolved organic carbon, UV254 absorption, total nitrogen, alkalinity and conductivity) were also measured. The concentrations of DBPs showed great variability among swimming pools as well as within the same pool between sampling campaigns. HAAs exhibited the highest concentrations followed by THMs, HANs, TCNM and HKs. Exposure doses for four age groups (3–<6 y, 6–<11 y, 11–<16 y and adults) were calculated. Route-specific exposures varied among DBPs groups. Inhalation was the dominant exposure route to THMs and TCNM (up to 92–95%). Ingestion and dermal absorption were the main exposure routes to HAAs (40–82% and 18–59%, respectively), depending on the age of swimmers. HANs contributed up to 75% to the calculated cytotoxicity of pool water. Hazard indices for different exposure routes were <1, suggesting non-carcinogenic risk. Inhalation posed the higher carcinogenic risk for THMs, whereas risk via oral and dermal routes was low. Ingestion and dermal contact posed the higher risk for HAAs. Risk management strategies that minimise DBPs exposure without compromising disinfection efficiency in swimming pools are necessary

MAPKs and HSPs’ Activation of a Natural Daphnia magna Population in a Man-Perturbed Lake: Implications of Ecological Significance

Natural and anthropogenic pressures in inland waters induce molecular response mechanisms in organisms as a defense against such multiple stressors. We studied, for the first time, the expression of the stress proteins, heat shock proteins (HSP) and mitogen-activated proteins kinase (MAPK), in a Daphnia magna natural population as a response to environmental changes in a heavily modified water body (Lake Koronia, Northern Greece). In parallel, the water physicochemical parameters, nutrients’ concentration and phytoplankton abundance were measured. Our results showed fluctuations of the proteins’ levels (HSP70, HSP90, phospho-p38 MAPK, phospho-p44/42 MAPK) providing evidence of their expression in situ. HSP70 showed an increasing tendency while for HSP90, no tendency was recorded. The MAPKs’ members followed a reverse pattern compared to each other. The differential expression of HSP and MAPK members indicates that D. magna in Lake Koronia experienced stressors such as increasing temperature, salinity and increased nutrient concentrations, high pH values and variations in phytoplankton abundance that triggered their activation. These in situ findings suggest that HSP and MAPK expression patterns have the potential to be used as biomarkers of stress factors in D. magna, for effective biomonitoring and setting ecological restoration targets

MAPKs and HSPs’ Activation of a Natural <em>Daphnia magna</em> Population in a Man-Perturbed Lake: Implications of Ecological Significance

Natural and anthropogenic pressures in inland waters induce molecular response mechanisms in organisms as a defense against such multiple stressors. We studied, for the first time, the expression of the stress proteins, heat shock proteins (HSP) and mitogen-activated proteins kinase (MAPK), in a Daphnia magna natural population as a response to environmental changes in a heavily modified water body (Lake Koronia, Northern Greece). In parallel, the water physicochemical parameters, nutrients’ concentration and phytoplankton abundance were measured. Our results showed fluctuations of the proteins’ levels (HSP70, HSP90, phospho-p38 MAPK, phospho-p44/42 MAPK) providing evidence of their expression in situ. HSP70 showed an increasing tendency while for HSP90, no tendency was recorded. The MAPKs’ members followed a reverse pattern compared to each other. The differential expression of HSP and MAPK members indicates that D. magna in Lake Koronia experienced stressors such as increasing temperature, salinity and increased nutrient concentrations, high pH values and variations in phytoplankton abundance that triggered their activation. These in situ findings suggest that HSP and MAPK expression patterns have the potential to be used as biomarkers of stress factors in D. magna, for effective biomonitoring and setting ecological restoration targets

BPA qualtitative and quantitative assessment associated with orthodontic bonding in vivo

OBJECTIVE To assess the in vivo amount of BPA released from a visible light-cured orthodontic adhesive, immediately after bracket bonding. METHODS 20 orthodontic patients were recruited after obtaining informed consent. All patients received 24 orthodontic brackets in both dental arches. In Group A (11 patients), 25 ml of tap water were used for mouth rinsing, whereas in Group B (9 patients) a simulated mouth rinse formulation was used: a mixture of 20 ml de-ionized water plus 5 ml absolute ethanol. Rinsing solutions were collected before, immediately after placing the orthodontic appliances and after washing out the oral cavity and were then stored in glass tubes. Rinsing was performed in a single phase for 60s with the entire volume of each liquid. The BPA analysis was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS An increase in BPA concentration immediately after the 1st post-bonding rinse was observed, for both rinsing media, which was reduced after the 2nd post-bonding rinse. Water exhibited higher levels of BPA concentration than water/ethanol after 1st and 2nd post-bonding rinses. Two-way mixed Repeated Measures ANOVA showed that the primary null hypothesis declaring mean BPA concentration to be equal across rinsing medium and rinsing status was rejected (p-value <0.001). The main effects of the rinsing medium and status, as well as their interaction were found to be statistically significant (p-values 0.048, <0.001 and 0.011 respectively). SIGNIFICANCE A significant pattern of increase of BPA concentration, followed by a decrease that reached the initial values was observed. The amount of BPA was relatively low and far below the reference limits of tolerable daily intake