scholarly journals Use of Larval Morphological Deformities in Chironomus plumosus (Chironomidae: Diptera) as an Indicator of Freshwater Environmental Contamination (Lake Trasimeno, Italy)

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enzo Goretti ◽  
Matteo Pallottini ◽  
Sarah Pagliarini ◽  
Marianna Catasti ◽  
Gianandrea La Porta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Contamination ◽  
Littoral Zone ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Larval Growth ◽  
Central Zone ◽  
Contamination Level ◽  
Anthropogenic Contamination ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Chironomus Plumosus ◽  
Morphological Deformities

The mentum deformity incidence in Chironomus plumosus larvae to assess the environmental contamination level in Lake Trasimeno, Central Italy, was investigated. The survey lasted from May 2018 to August 2019. Fifty-one samplings were carried out: 34 in the littoral zone and 17 in the central zone. The deformity assessment was based on 737 and 2767 larval specimens of C. plumosus collected from the littoral and central zones, respectively. Comparison of the larval morphometric variables between normal and deformed specimens highlighted that the deformities did not cause alterations of the larval growth. The deformity incidence amounted to 7.22% in the whole Trasimeno’s ecosystem, reaching 8.28% in the littoral zone and 6.94% in the central zone. Among the different seasonal cohorts, the spring cohort had overall the highest deformity value (11.41%). The deformity type assessment protocol highlighted that the most common deformity type was “round/filed teeth” (64%). The results of this 2018–2019 survey revealed a low deformity incidence, within the background range of relatively low-impacted freshwaters. Comparison with previous investigations (2000–2010) of the same habitat showed a clear decrease of the deformity incidence. This study further contributes to the evaluation of the mentum deformity in chironomids that represent an indicator endpoint of the anthropogenic contamination level in freshwaters.

scholarly journals Estimating Environmental Contamination and Element Deposition at an Urban Area of Central Italy

Urban Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Loppi ◽  
Adelmo Corsini ◽  
Luca Paoli
Keyword(s):  
Urban Area ◽  
Environmental Contamination ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Evernia Prunastri ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Economic Constraints

Air quality monitoring in many urban areas is based on sophisticated and costly equipment to check for the respect of environmental quality standards, but capillary monitoring is often not feasible due to economic constraints. In such cases, the use of living organisms may be very useful to complement the sparse data obtained by physico-chemical measurements. In this study, the bioaccumulation of selected trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Ce, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, S, Sb, Zn) in lichen samples (Evernia prunastri) transplanted for three months at an urban area of Central Italy was investigated to assess the main environmental contaminants, their sources, and the fluxes of element depositions. The results pinpointed Cu and Sb as the main contaminants and suggested a common origin for these two elements from non-exhaust sources of vehicular traffic, such as brake abrasion. Most study sites were, however, found to be subjected to low or moderate environmental contamination, and the lowest contamination corresponded to the main green areas, confirming the important protective role of urban forests against air pollution. Ranges of estimated mean annual element deposition rates in the study area were similar or lower than those reported for other urban areas.

Free-range eggs from a very polluted site in central Italy: levels of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins/Furans and Polychlorinated Biphenyls and estimated human dietary exposure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Castellani ◽  
Lamberto Manzoli ◽  
Cecilia Acuti Martellucci ◽  
Maria Elena Flacco ◽  
Maria Luisa Astolfi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polychlorinated Biphenyls ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Dietary Exposure ◽  
Contamination Level ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Weekly Intake ◽  
Tolerable Weekly Intake ◽  
Commission Regulation ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
A Site

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the contamination levels of some classes of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in free-range hen eggs and to estimate the related human dietary exposure in a Site of National Interest (SNI), characterized by a serious state of environmental pollution (Bussi sul Tirino area, central Italy). For these purposes, 17 samples of free-range hen eggs collected in home-producing farms located in the SNI territory were analyzed for 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) and 6 non-dioxin-like PCBs (ndl-PCBs). Dietary exposure was assessed assuming a standard consumption of eggs per week. The concentration of ∑PCDD/Fs + dl-PCBs ranged from 0.463 to 8.028 pg TEQ (Toxic Equivalent) g−1 fat, while the mean contamination level of the ∑ndl-PCBs ranged from 0.234 to 7.741 ng TEQ g−1 fat. PCDD/Fs and PCBs contamination levels were lower than maximum values established by the Commission Regulation (EU) 1259/2011, except for one sample. The estimated weekly intake (EWI), calculated in order to evaluate the contribution in terms of the monitored pollutants of the locally produced eggs to the diet, was lower than the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

A Combustion Study of Gas Turbines Using Multi-Species/Reacting Computational Fluid Dynamic

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasan Armand ◽  
Mei Chen
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Environmental Contamination ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Combustion Products ◽  
Contamination Level ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Hot Gas

A multi-species/reacting combustion study was performed. The focus of the study was to quantify the effects of variation in air extraction and power rates on flame/outlet temperatures of a General Electric (GE), Frame 5 gas turbine. The environmental contamination level due to generation of carbon monoxide was also reported. GE, Frame 5 gas turbine has been widely used around the world for power generation, and as mechanical drives. The combustion products were examined throughout a range of air extraction rates, upon which it was determined that the combustion liners were susceptible to damage at air extraction rates above 10%, and the environmental contamination level due to carbon monoxide was increased. Furthermore, the gas flow exiting the combustion liner became non-homogeneous (i.e. a pocket of relatively hot gas formed in the middle of the flow path), which would cause damage to the downstream components. In conclusion, the short-term monetary gains from using compressed air from a gas turbine do not justify the costs of down time for repairs and the replacement of expensive hot-gas-path components.

A Combustion Study of Gas Turbines Using Multi-Species/Reacting Computational Fluid Dynamic

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasan Armand ◽  
Mei Chen
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Environmental Contamination ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Combustion Products ◽  
Contamination Level ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Hot Gas

A multi-species/reacting combustion study was performed. The focus of the study was to quantify the effects of variation in air extraction and power rates on flame/outlet temperatures of a General Electric (GE), Frame 5 gas turbine. The environmental contamination level due to generation of carbon monoxide was also reported. GE, Frame 5 gas turbine has been widely used around the world for power generation, and as mechanical drives. The combustion products were examined throughout a range of air extraction rates, upon which it was determined that the combustion liners were susceptible to damage at air extraction rates above 10%, and the environmental contamination level due to carbon monoxide was increased. Furthermore, the gas flow exiting the combustion liner became non-homogeneous (i.e. a pocket of relatively hot gas formed in the middle of the flow path), which would cause damage to the downstream components. In conclusion, the short-term monetary gains from using compressed air from a gas turbine do not justify the costs of down time for repairs and the replacement of expensive hot-gas-path components.

Morphological Deformities in Chironomus, Cryptochironomus, and Procladius Larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Two Differentially Stressed Sites in Tobin Lake, Saskatchewan

1988 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 1123-1144 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. F. Warwick ◽  
N. A. Tisdale
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Head Capsule ◽  
Response Relationship ◽  
Dose Response Relationship ◽  
Morphological Response ◽  
Chironomus Plumosus ◽  
Morphological Deformities

Morphological deformities in Chironomus plumosus type larvae from two differentially stressed sites in the Tobin Lake reservoir are described and compared. The frequency of deformities was 41.3% at Site 2 where larvae are directly exposed to contaminants entering the reservoir from the Saskatchewan River. At Site 17, where larvae are only indirectly exposed in a backwater area, the frequency was 31.8%. The frequency of deformities was higher at Site 2 in all head capsule structures except antennae. At Site 17, the significantly higher frequency of antennal deformities suggests that (1) antennae respond to contaminants according to a quantal dose–response relationship, (2) antennae and other head capsule structures may respond through different mechanisms or at different rates, or (3) other environmental factors may modify larval responses to contaminants. Descriptions of the deformities in other head capsule structures provide a framework for individual indices of severity of deformation similar to that developed previously for antennae. These eventually will be incorporated into an Index of Total Morphological Response. Deformities in Procladius and Cryptochironomus larvae are also described.

scholarly journals Trophic position and diet shift based on the body size of Coreoperca kawamebari (Temminck & Schlegel, 1843)

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong-Yun Choi ◽  
Seong-Ki Kim ◽  
Jeong-Cheol Kim ◽  
Jung-Do Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Trophic Interactions ◽  
Littoral Zone ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Juvenile Fish ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Central Zone ◽  
The Body ◽  
Diet Shift ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Fish body size is a major determinant of freshwater trophic interactions, yet only a few studies have explored the relationship between the fish body size and trophic interactions in river upstream. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the body size and trophic position (TP) of Coreoperca kawamebari (Temminck & Schlegel, 1843) in an upstream of the Geum River. Results A stable isotope analysis (based on δ15N) was used to determine the TP based on the body size of C. kawamebari. The regression analysis (n = 33, f = 63.840, r2 = 0.68) clearly showed the relationship between the body length and TP of C. kawamebari. The TP of C. kawamebari was clearly divided by body size into the following classes: individuals of size < 10 cm that feed on insects and individuals of size > 10 cm feed on juvenile fish. This selective feeding is an evolutionarily selective tendency to maximize energy intake per unit time. Furthermore, the diet shift of C. kawamebari was led by different spatial distributions. The littoral zone was occupied by individuals of size < 10 cm, and those of size > 10 cm were mainly in the central zone. The littoral zone can be assumed to be enriched with food items such as ephemeropterans and dipterans. Conclusion The TP of C. kawamebari, as a carnivorous predator, will have a strong influence on biotic interactions in the upstream area of the Geum River, which can lead to food web implication.

The Elicitation of Vocal Responses From Preschool Children

1993 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Hyne Champley ◽  
Moya L. Andrews
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Vocal Responses

This article discusses the construction of tasks used to elicit vocal responses from preschool children. Procedures to elicit valid and reliable responses are proposed, and a sample assessment protocol is presented.

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