Organotin compounds in surface sediments of the Southern Baltic coastal zone: a study on the main factors for their accumulation and degradation

Abstract Sediment samples were collected in the Gulf of Gdańsk, and the Vistula and Szczecin Lagoons—all located in the coastal zone of the Southern Baltic Sea—just after the total ban on using harmful organotins in antifouling paints on ships came into force, to assess their butyltin and phenyltin contamination extent. Altogether, 26 sampling stations were chosen to account for different potential exposure to organotin pollution and environmental conditions: from shallow and well-oxygenated waters, shipping routes and river mouths, to deep and anoxic sites. Additionally, the organic carbon content, pigment content, and grain size of all the sediment samples were determined, and some parameters of the nearbottom water (oxygen content, salinity, temperature) were measured as well. Total concentrations of butyltin compounds ranged between 2 and 182 ng Sn g−1 d.w., whereas phenyltins were below the detection limit. Sediments from the Gulf of Gdańsk and Vistula Lagoon were found moderately contaminated with tributyltin, whereas those from the Szczecin Lagoon were ranked as highly contaminated. Butyltin degradation indices prove a recent tributyltin input into the sediments adjacent to sites used for dumping for dredged harbor materials and for anchorage in the Gulf of Gdańsk (where two big international ports are located), and into those collected in the Szczecin Lagoon. Essential factors affecting the degradation and distribution of organotins, based on significant correlations between butyltins and environmental variables, were found in the study area

Maritime transport other than shipping: electrical energy case

Large demand for energy results in necessity for its transportation in various ways. On land areas, energy media transfer consists mainly of transport in tanks by rail, road or river routs as well as pipeline systems for liquid or gasified hydrocarbons. A part of energy media in the world is electric energy flowing though metallic conductors of overhead and cable networks. If sea areas are considered, ship navigation routs crosses with pipelines and electrical energy transfer systems. Furthermore, every transport system can interfere with other. Marine areas occupied by pipelines and submarine cables must be excluded from use of anchors and bottom fishing gear. On the other hand, pipeline systems interfere with the free development of navigation, particularly in areas near ports. Power transfer systems modify the natural force fields in the water column, surface water and even in near-water layer of atmosphere. In this article, we show the main ways of transferring electricity in the sea and the resulting modifications of physical fields: electrical, magnetic and electromagnetic ones. We also discuss the probable impact of modifications of natural fields on ship traffic as well as corrosion of hulls of ships and marine structures. The considerations presented in the article are related primarily to the Polish Exclusive Economic Zone of the Baltic Sea

The influence of luteolin on expression of epithelial MUC1 mucin in human skin fibroblasts

Purpose: The membrane-anchored MUC1 mucin is typically expressed on normal and cancerous epithelial cells. Non-epithelial localization of this mucin is rare. However, the presence of MUC1 in human skin fibroblasts has been recently unexpectedly revealed. The aim of the study was to prove the expression of MUC1 mucin in human skin fibroblasts and the examine of the influence of luteolin on its expression. Materials and methods: ELISA tests and real-time PCR analysis were used to assess the expression of MUC1 mucin in fibroblast cells cocultured with 30 μM concentration of luteolin. Results: The expression of MUC1 was revealed in human skin fibroblasts. Luteolin decreased the relative level of mucin in cell lysates and media. Statistically significant decreased expression of MUC1 gene after luteolin treatment of fibroblasts cells was also revealed. Conclusion: Our results prove non-epithelial localization of MUC1 mucin. Luteolin inhibits the expression of MUC1 mucin in healthy human skin fibroblasts

A study on pollution of the Puck Lagoon and possibility of restoring the lagoon′s original ecological state

The main aim of the study was to identify mechanisms causing degradation of the Puck Lagoon′s primary environment and to suggest some remedial measures and techniques for its restoration, apart from the newly installed sewage treatment plant near Puck. Results of the study demonstrate an excessive seasonal development of filamentous brown algae of the family Ectocarpaceae. This excessive growth on the bottom of the lagoon plays a significant role in eliminating nutrients from the water, limiting the vernal development of plankton, and considerably increasing water transparency, but strongly affecting living conditions of the original benthic macrophytes. In late summer, the brown algae biomass undergoes rapid decomposition and enriches the sediment with organic matter. Sediment analyses revealed no excessive concentration of heavy metals or organic contaminants, their concentrations being usually proportional to the organic matter content. Experimental seeding- of vascular plants and observations on assemblages of sessile fauna and flora indicate that reintroduction of original species and deployment of artificial reefs is feasible and purposeful

The influence of luteolin on expression of epithelial MUC1 mucin in human skin fibroblasts

Purpose: The membrane-anchored MUC1 mucin is typically expressed on normal and cancerous epithelial cells. Non-epithelial localization of this mucin is rare. However, the presence of MUC1 in human skin fibroblasts has been recently unexpectedly revealed. The aim of the study was to prove the expression of MUC1 mucin in human skin fibroblasts and the examine of the influence of luteolin on its expression. Materials and methods: ELISA tests and real-time PCR analysis were used to assess the expression of MUC1 mucin in fibroblast cells cocultured with 30 μM concentration of luteolin. Results: The expression of MUC1 was revealed in human skin fibroblasts. Luteolin decreased the relative level of mucin in cell lysates and media. Statistically significant decreased expression of MUC1 gene after luteolin treatment of fibroblasts cells was also revealed. Conclusion: Our results prove non-epithelial localization of MUC1 mucin. Luteolin inhibits the expression of MUC1 mucin in healthy human skin fibroblasts

A study on pollution of the Puck Lagoon and possibility of restoring the lagoon′s original ecological state

The main aim of the study was to identify mechanisms causing degradation of the Puck Lagoon′s primary environment and to suggest some remedial measures and techniques for its restoration, apart from the newly installed sewage treatment plant near Puck. Results of the study demonstrate an excessive seasonal development of filamentous brown algae of the family Ectocarpaceae. This excessive growth on the bottom of the lagoon plays a significant role in eliminating nutrients from the water, limiting the vernal development of plankton, and considerably increasing water transparency, but strongly affecting living conditions of the original benthic macrophytes. In late summer, the brown algae biomass undergoes rapid decomposition and enriches the sediment with organic matter. Sediment analyses revealed no excessive concentration of heavy metals or organic contaminants, their concentrations being usually proportional to the organic matter content. Experimental seeding- of vascular plants and observations on assemblages of sessile fauna and flora indicate that reintroduction of original species and deployment of artificial reefs is feasible and purposeful