Mercury and lead profiles and burdens in soils of Quebec (Canada) before and after flooding

1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (11) ◽  
pp. 2493-2506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnès Grondin ◽  
Marc Lucotte ◽  
Benoit Fortin ◽  
Alfonso Mucci

Forest soils and their flooded equivalents were sampled in the Cabonga (southern Quebec) and La Grande (northern Quebec) hydroelectric complexes and analyzed at 1-cm intervals for organic C, N, Fe, Mn, Hg, and Pb. In the La Grande region, thin Cladina sp. podzols and thicker Pleurozium sp. podzols are characterized by lower Hg burdens (2500 and 5100 μg∙m−2, respectively) than the thicker but less dense soils typical of wetter environments (6000 to 8000 μg∙m−2). These differences suggest that a fraction of Hg is leached downslope from uplands (podzols) and partially accumulates in poorly drained soils (wetlands) below. Unlike Pb, Hg showed no apparent decrease in atmospheric transport over 1000 km from south to north, away from the industrialized regions. Upon inundation, the oxidation–reduction potential drops rapidly but there was no noticeable decrease in the organic C burden, with the exception of flooded podzols where the surficial organic layer may undergo erosion. In flooded wetland soils, Hg, Pb, and Fe display a partial redistribution towards the sediment–water interface, but the Hg burdens of these soils remain comparable to those of their unflooded equivalents. In contrast, the surficial erosion of the flooded podzols may represent one pathway for Hg to enter organisms in the reservoir.

In previous communications on this subject (20, 21, 22) we described the results obtained when coloured indicators of known physico-chemical properties were injected into individual living cells. Using a modification of the micromanipulator of Chambers (4), we have worked with various unicellular protozoa and egg-cells, and have been able to draw definite conclusions as to the average hydrogen-ion concentration and the average oxidation-reduction potential of the cell interior. Our first communication dealt with the amœba, and we showed that its internal p H was probably in the neighbourhood of 7.6, while its internal r H (oxidation-reduction potential, 5) was between 17 and 19. Both values are near neutrality, so that this cell could be said to be slightly alkaline and slightly on the electronegative or reducing side of oxidation-reduction neutrality. We next extended our investigation to several types of marine egg-cells before and after fertilisation, and during the early cleavage stages. The changes which the internal p H and r H undergo during these ontogenetic events are very small indeed, and the phylogenetic differences, for example, as between the ovum of the polychsete worm and that of the starfish are correspondingly slight. The egg-cell, then, appeared to have a of about 6.6 and an r H of the order of 21 or 22. It was therefore a little on the acid side of acidbase neutrality and a little on the electropositive side of oxidation-reduction neutrality, differing on both these counts from the amœba. The amœba, therefore, has a higher intensity of reduction than the egg-cell.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adnan Kadić ◽  
Anikó Várnai ◽  
Vincent G. H. Eijsink ◽  
Svein Jarle Horn ◽  
Gunnar Lidén

Abstract Background Biochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to simple sugars at commercial scale is hampered by the high cost of saccharifying enzymes. Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) may hold the key to overcome economic barriers. Recent studies have shown that controlled activation of LPMOs by a continuous H2O2 supply can boost saccharification yields, while overdosing H2O2 may lead to enzyme inactivation and reduce overall sugar yields. While following LPMO action by ex situ analysis of LPMO products confirms enzyme inactivation, currently no preventive measures are available to intervene before complete inactivation. Results Here, we carried out enzymatic saccharification of the model cellulose Avicel with an LPMO-containing enzyme preparation (Cellic CTec3) and H2O2 feed at 1 L bioreactor scale and followed the oxidation–reduction potential and H2O2 concentration in situ with corresponding electrode probes. The rate of oxidation of the reductant as well as the estimation of the amount of H2O2 consumed by LPMOs indicate that, in addition to oxidative depolymerization of cellulose, LPMOs consume H2O2 in a futile non-catalytic cycle, and that inactivation of LPMOs happens gradually and starts long before the accumulation of LPMO-generated oxidative products comes to a halt. Conclusion Our results indicate that, in this model system, the collapse of the LPMO-catalyzed reaction may be predicted by the rate of oxidation of the reductant, the accumulation of H2O2 in the reactor or, indirectly, by a clear increase in the oxidation–reduction potential. Being able to monitor the state of the LPMO activity in situ may help maximizing the benefit of LPMO action during saccharification. Overcoming enzyme inactivation could allow improving overall saccharification yields beyond the state of the art while lowering LPMO and, potentially, cellulase loads, both of which would have beneficial consequences on process economics.


Author(s):  
Kamil Gill ◽  
Michal Kups ◽  
Patryk Harasny ◽  
Tomasz Machalowski ◽  
Marta Grabowska ◽  
...  

Since varicocele is so common in infertile men, this study intends to analyse the relationships between varicocele and conventional semen characteristics, sperm nuclear DNA dispersion and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in semen. Varicocele-positive and varicocele-negative infertile men (study groups) showed significantly lower standard sperm parameters and higher sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and ORP in semen than healthy volunteers and subjects with proven fertility (control groups). A lower proportion of low SDF levels (0–15% SDF) and higher incidence of high SDF levels (>30% SDF), as well as a higher prevalence of high ORP values (>1.37 mV/106 sperm/mL), were found in the study groups vs. the control groups. Moreover, infertile men had significantly lower odds ratios (ORs) for low SDF levels and significantly higher ORs for high SDF levels and high ORP. SDF and ORP were negatively correlated with sperm number, morphology, motility and vitality. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between SDF and ORP. The obtained results suggest that disorders of spermatogenesis may occur in varicocele-related infertility. These abnormalities are manifested not only by reduced standard semen parameters but also by decreased sperm DNA integrity and simultaneously increased oxidative stress in semen.


1984 ◽  
Vol 224 (2) ◽  
pp. 577-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Madden ◽  
S M Lau ◽  
C Thorpe

Pig kidney general acyl-CoA dehydrogenase is markedly stabilized against loss of flavin and activity in 7.3 M-urea or at 60 degrees C upon reduction with sodium dithionite or octanoyl-CoA. Electron transferring flavoprotein is similarly stabilized, whereas egg white riboflavin-binding protein loses flavin more readily on reduction. These and other data support the anticipated correlation between the kinetic stability of the holoproteins and the oxidation-reduction potential of their bound flavins.


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