Effects of Pirimicarb carbamate insecticide alone and in combination with lead (Pb) on biochemical parameters of soft tissues in freshwater snail, Galba truncatula

In this study, potential effects of Pirimicarb and lead (Pb) were investigated on biochemical parameters in tissues of freshwater snails, Galba truncatula. During an 8-day experiment, snails were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of Pirimicarb (0.5 and 1 mg/L) and/or lead acetate (0.1 and 0.2 mg/L). Biochemical analyses of tissues to Photometric method in snails indicate that snails treated with Pirimicarb, Pb, or both Pirimicarb and Pb increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT) and decreased gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels, compared to the control group. Alanine transferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were increased in combined treatments of Pirimicarb and Pb. Total antioxidant (TAO) level increased in snails exposed to both Pirimicarb and Pb, while it decreased in snails treated with either Pb or Pirimicarb. Cholesterol level increased in most experimental groups. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was showed no significant changes in groups treated with 0.1 and 0.2 mg/L of Pb compared to the control; however, AST enhanced in other treatments. In groups exposed to 0.5 and 1 mg/L of Pirimicarb, the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was not significant, although a significant reduction was found in AChE level in other treatments. The results indicated that cytotoxicity of Pirimicarb alone and in combination with Pb depended on their concentrations. Higher concentrations of Pb induced significant changes in some biochemical parameters. Moreover, increased Pb level in water intensifies toxic effects of Pirimicarb in snails. Pirimicarb or/and Pb, in sub-lethal concentrations, induced oxidative damages in soft tissue of snails. Finally, these data support the hypothesis that changes in biochemical parameters were induced by exposure to Pirimicarb or/and Pb

Influence of Environmental Pollution on Leaf Properties of Urban Plane Trees, Platanus orientalis L.

To investigate whether leaves of plane trees (Platanus orientalis) are damaged by traffic pollution, trees from a megacity (Mashhad, Iran) and a rural area were investigated. Soil and air from the urban centre showed enrichment of several toxic elements, but only lead was enriched in leaves. Leaf size and stomata density were lower at the urban site. At the urban site leaf surfaces were heavily loaded by dust particles but the stomata were not occluded; the cuticle was thinner; other anatomical properties were unaffected suggesting that plane trees can cope with traffic exhaust in megacities

Acute toxicity bioassay of the mercury chloride and copper Sulphate in Rutilus caspicus and Rutilus kutum

The purpose of the present study was to determine the acute toxicity (LC50) of HgCl2 and CuSO4 in Caspian roach (Rutilus caspicus) and CuSO4 in Caspian kutum (Rutilus kutum). The Caspian roach LC50 values for HgCl2 at 24, 48, 72, and 96-hrs of exposure, were 0.64, 0.61, 0.42, and 0.28 mg L-1, respectively, and for CuSO4 were 11.55, 5.08, 2.49, and 1.47 mg L-1, respectively. The Caspian roach LC50 values for CuSO4 at 24, 48, 72, and 96-hrs of exposure, were 5.31, 4.17, 3.20, and 2.25 mg L-1, respectively. The results of this study showed that the toxicity of HgCl2 is higher than that of CuSO4 for the studied species. The mortality decreased with time, and most of the deaths were occurred during the first 24 hrs

Accumulation of toxic metals of cadmium and lead in the deciduous teeth of children

Background and Aim: Lead and cadmium are as main environment pollutants, and even in low concentrations have harmful effects on human health. Baby teeth are efficient indicators of environmental exposure of children to heavy metals. The aim of the present study is to determine the concentration of lead and cadmium in deciduous teeth of 5-12 year old girls and boys in Birjand in 2010. Materials and Methods: In this applied research, teeth samples of children were collected from different clinics of Birjand. The samples were prepared by means of acidolysis method and metal levels were measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Data analysis was conducted thanks to SPSS software (version 16) and P<0.05 was taken as the significant level. Results: Mean amount of lead and cadmium in teeth samples was 1.96&plusmn;1.62 and 0.2&plusmn;0.17 &micro;g/g, respectively. The highest levels of lead was found in children&rsquo;s molar teeth, while children&rsquo;s incisor teeth had a higher level of cadmium. Besides, the amount of lead and cadmium was more in the boys' samples rather than the girls'. However, the difference between the two genders was not significant. Conclusion: Deciduous teeth are suitable bio indicators to monitor for environmental pollution with heavy metals. The metal levels of lead and cadmium in the teeth of boys are more than girls'. The main reason is the presence of these metals in the environment and the boys' long-term exposure to these pollutants

Biosorption of hexavalent Chromium by the agricultural wastes of the cotton and barberry plants

Hexavalent chromium, a highly toxic metal ion employed in industrial activities, is considered as a first priority pollutant. In this study, the capsule walls of the boll of cotton (cotton waste, CW) and the waste obtained from pruning barberry bushes (barberry waste, BW) were investigated as cheap and locally available adsorbents for Cr (VI) removal. The adsorption behavior, equilibrium, and kinetic properties have been studied through batch experiments. Specifically, the sample pH showed a significant effect and an initial pH of 2.0 was most favorable for the effective removal of chromium. The equilibrium adsorption data were well fitted to the Langmuir adsorption equation with the maximum adsorption capacities of 20.7and 15.5mg/gfor CW and BW, respectively. The kinetic evaluations showed a rapid rate of adsorption (within 10 min) that followed the pseudo-second order kinetic model. In competitive adsorption tests, Cl̶ had the least effect on the adsorption efficiency of Cr (VI), especially for CW. The results indicate the potential for the application of the studied agricultural wastes as adsorbents to reduce Cr (VI) concentration in aqueous samples

Evaluation of Some Physiochemical Parameters and Heavy Metal Contamination in Hara Biosphere Reserve, Iran, Using a New Pollution Index Approach

Background: The pollution of the aquatic environment with heavy metals has become a worldwide problem during recent years, due to their potential toxic effects and ability to bio-accumulate in aquatic ecosystems. Heavy metals are sensitive indicators for monitoring changes in the aquatic environment. Methods: In this study, total concentrations of Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Fe were measured in water and sediments from nine sites, based on ecological conditions and human activities and the effects of sediment pH and sediment organic matter on bioavailability of selected metals were determined. Modified degree of contamination (mCd) was computed in order to determine anthropogenically derived sediment contamination. Results: Mean concentration of metals in water found to be in the following order: Pb > Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr, while in sediment samples it was Fe > Cr > Zn > Pb > Cu. The average content of examined metals in water was higher than the chronic values in marine surface water guideline values. Mean content of Cr, Pb and Fe in sediments were higher than average of the less contaminated sample but Cu and Zn were lower than this guideline value. In the study area, mCd values were less than 1.5 with values ranging from 0.71 to 1.02. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated with a decrease in organic matter and pH in sediments, the concentration of copper and iron increased. Base on modified contamination degree, the sediments of Hara Biosphere Reserve are considered to be in the zero to very low contamination status

Analysis and Determination of Trace Metals (Nickel, Cadmium, Chromium, and Lead) in Tissues of Pampus argenteus and Platycephalus indicus in the Hara Reserve, Iran

The accumulations of Cd, Ni, Pb, and Cr were measured in muscle, gill, kidney, and liver of Platycephalus indicus and Pampus argenteus. Our results indicated that all metals were found to be the highest in tissues in P. indicus (benthic species). Except Ni in P. indicus, concentrations of metals and bioaccumulation factor were in the following sequence: liver > kidney > gill > muscle. The data revealed that there is a significant negative correlation between concentrations of metals and size and age factors. The Ni and Cr levels in the muscles were higher than the maximum acceptable limit recommended by WHO and FEPA. Similarly, the concentration of Pb measured in P. indicus muscle exceeded the FAO standard limit

Acute Toxicity and the Effects of Copper Sulphate (CuSO4.5H2O) on the Behavior of the Black Fish (Capoeta Fusca)

Background: The development of toxicity tests regarding toxic responses of different fish species could be more effectively used in predictive toxicology and risk assessment. In this study lethal concentrations (LC50-96 h) values of copper sulphate; an important toxic industrial pollutant, on Capoeta fusca were determined. Behavioral changes at different concentrations of CuSO4 were determined for the C.fusca. Methods: The sample fishes were collected from Qanat in Birjand and were transported to the laboratory in polythene bags. The exposure time of fish to CuSO4 was 96 hours. Mortalities were recorded at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours of exposure, and the dead fish were removed regularly from the test aquariums. Physicochemical parameters, such as dissolved oxygen, pH and Total hardness of aquaria were monitored daily. Results: The LC50 values for CuSO4 at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of exposure, were 43.62, 12.6, 7.66, and 6.85 mg/L, respectively. The median LC50 value of CuSO4 for C.fusca was found to be 6.928 mg/L by EPA method and estimated to be 6.787 mg/L with SPSS statistical software. Conclusion: The mortality decreased with time, and most of the deaths occurred during the first 24 h. In addition, behavioural changes increased with increased concentration. This metal is an important constituent in industrial effluents discharged into freshwaters. The results obtained in this study clearly revealed the fact that it is necessary to control the use of a heavy metal such as copper

Comparison of Fuzzy AHP Buckley and ANP Models in Forestry Capability Evaluation (Case Study: Behbahan City Fringe)

The area of Zagros forests is continuously in danger of destruction. Therefore, the remaining forests should be carefully managed based on ecological capability evaluation. In fact, land evaluation includes prediction or assessment of land quality for a special land use with regard to production, vulnerability and management requirements. In this research, we studied the ecological capability of Behbahan city fringe for forestry land use. After the basic studies were completed and the thematic maps such as soil criteria, climate, physiography, vegetation and bedrock were prepared, the fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making methods of Fuzzy AHP Buckley and ANP were used to standardize and determine the weights of criteria. Finally, the ecological model of the region’s capability was generated to prioritize forestry land use and prepare the final map of evaluation using WLC model in seven classes. The results showed that in ANP method, 55.58% of the area is suitable for forestry land use which is more consistent with the reality, while in the Fuzzy AHP method, 95.23% of the area was found suitable. Finally, it was concluded that the ANP method shows more flexibility and ability to determine suitable areas for forestry land use in the study area

Bioaccumulation of Lead in the Tissues of Japanese Quails and Its Effects on Blood Biochemical Factors

Background: Lead is the oldest known toxic metal, physiologically and biologically harmful to living creatures. This study aimed to evaluate the lead accumulation in the liver and breast muscles of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) and to compare concentrations in both sexes and its effect on blood biochemical factors. Methods: Twenty-four young farm Japanese quails (25 day old) prepared from local breeders in December 2014 and randomly divided into control and treatment group. Treatment group were exposed to 0.4 mg per kg diet of “Lead Acetate” for 21 days. We studied the effects of lead on survival and blood biochemical factors. The lead accumulation in the liver and breast muscles of Japanese quail was determined using atomic absorption. Results: Exposure to lead caused a significant increase in the activity of enzymes (AST), (ALT), (LDH), glucose, creatinine and uric acid in poultry treated with lead compared with the control group (P<0.05). In addition, significant decrease in the activity of ALP, AChE, total protein, albumin, globulin, and triglycerides was found (P<0.05). The treated group had no significant change in the activity of CPK and cholesterol. Lead accumulation was more in the liver rather than the breast muscle. There was no significant difference between males and females as for concentration of lead in muscle and liver of quail. Conclusion: Quail have capabilities to accumulate lead in their tissues. In addition, it can lead to apparent changes in enzymes and blood biochemical factors, which show adverse effects of heavy metals on the immune and physiological system of birds