Comparative Assessment of Physico-Chemical Results of Air, Water and Soil Samples Tested at Accredited and Non-accredited Laboratories

There are thousands of results produced by the environmental testing laboratory for the air, water and soil parameters. The results produced by the environmental testing laboratories are always basis of the policy decision on various occasions. The results produced by the environmental testing laboratory provide the basis for the water whether it is fit for drinking purposes or not. The soil of a particular area is fit for specific agriculture or not. Similarly, the air of a specific location is under the permissible limit of the required component or not. Over some time the environmental testing laboratories are increasing in our county and these laboratories can be segregated broadly into two categories namely accredited laboratories and non-accredited laboratories. The accreditation is done by the independent authoritative body as per the international standard ISO/IEC 17025. It is believed that the accredited laboratory has a quality management system and proven technical competence to perform a specific type of testing. This work presents the comparative studies of the physico-chemical results of air, water and soil samples tested by accredited and non-accredited laboratories. In case of soil, the pH and sulfate is tested by the accredited and non-accredited laboratories in the specific environment. Similarly, construction water and drinking water are tested for various parameters as per the relevant standard. The air samples were collected from the same site and analysis was done for the various parameters like PM2.5, PM10 and other toxic gases present in air. It is observed that there is a considerable difference between the results produced by the accredited and non-accredited laboratories. It is believed that the results produced by the accredited laboratory are more reliable in comparison to the non-accredited laboratory.

Factors Affecting the Salinity Intrusion at the Paddy Field in Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam

Background: Several coastal regions in Vietnam have been suffered from salinity intrusion as a consequence of global climate change. However, there are limited studies on saline intrusion in Vietnam. This paper aimed to investigate the salinity intrusion of water and soil samples in paddy fields along Tam Giang lagoon, Thua Thien Hue province and clarify the factors affecting the salinity level. Methods: We measured the salinity concentrations (EC, Electrical conductivity) of water and soil samples in paddy fields at different distances (400, 600, 800, 1000 and 1200 m) from Tam Giang lagoon. The multiple regression analysis was performed to figure out the factors affecting the salinity concentrations. Result: The salinity concentrations of water were assessed as 48% high saline (10-25 dS m-1), 34% moderately saline (2-10 dS m-1), 2% slightly saline (0.7-2 dS m-1) and 15% non-saline ( less than 0.7 dS m-1). As for surface soil in paddy field, 14.3% moderately saline (4-8 dS m-1), 35.4% slightly saline (2-4 dS m-1) and 50.3% non-saline (0-2 dS m-1) were measured. A significantly positive correlation was found between salinity concentrations of water and soil (n = 175, r = 0.886, p less than 0.01). The distances from salinity sources, Tam Giang lagoon and shrimp pond, were major factors affecting the salinity concentrations. The paddy fields near Tam Giang lagoon and shrimp pond have higher salinity concentrations compared to those areas close to the residential area. The surface water in the paddy field within 1000 m from the salinity source was assessed as saline that might harm the paddy soil and rice production. The results of this study provide highly useful information for local policymakers and farmers about the status of salinity intrusion in paddy land.

Assessment of significant metals in effluents, soil, and pond water of tanneries south of capital of Sudan state

In the present study, impact of tannery effluents and their subsequent on accumulation of some metals (Ca, K, Na, Mg, Cl, S, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in water and soil samples in and around South Khartoum industrial area, Khartoum-Sudan were studied. Concentration of metals in tannery effluents (SA), adjacent contaminated pond water (SB), Soil (SC), and uncontaminated water (SD) were assessed by atomic absorption photometer. The results showed high levels of Ca, K, Na, Mg, Cl, S, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn within the water from all sampling point (SA, SB and SC). The investigation exhibited that tanneries wastewater has high mean concentrations of Cr, Fe, Mn, and Pb in all sampling point of effluent, pond water, soil, and uncontaminated water, except Zn which is high only in soil sampling point (SC). The significant metals accumulation displayed a pattern of mean concentration as follow: Soil > Effluent >contaminated pond water > Un contaminated water. Significant metals toxicity levels within the totally different sampling points were compared with water from WHO. Mean metal concentrations in un contaminated water were among the allowable limit set by WHO except for Magnesium (Mg). The comparison indicated that soil (SC) within the neighboring industrial area accumulated metals, enhanced levels of toxic of metals such as Cr, Ni, Zn and Pb, which also demonstrated higher concentration levels in the adjacent contaminated pond water samples. increased levels of poisonous, that additionally incontestable higher concentration levels within the contaminated pond water.

Abundance and Dynamic Distribution of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Environment Surrounding a Veterinary Antibiotic Manufacturing Site

Background: Antibiotics releasing from the manufacturing sites to the surrounding environment has been identified as a risk factor for the development of antibiotic resistance of bacterial pathogens. However, the knowledge of the abundance and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) influenced by antibiotic pollution is still limited. Methods: In this work, the contamination by resistance genes of the environmental media including an urban river and soil along the river located near the sewage outlet of a veterinary antibiotic manufacturing site in Shijiazhuang, China, was assessed. The abundance and dynamic distribution of ARGs in different sampling points and during different seasons were analyzed using fluorescent quantitative PCR method (qPCR). Results: A total of 11 resistance genes, one integron and one transposon were detected in water and soils around the pharmaceutical factory, and among which, the sulfonamide resistance genes sul1 and β-lactam resistance genes blaSHV were the most abundant genes. The relative abundance of ARGs in both river water and soil samples collected at the downstream of the sewage outlet was higher than that of samples collected at the upstream, non-polluted areas (p < 0.05). The mobile genetic elements (MGEs) integron in river was significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with the relative abundance of ARGs. Conclusions: The results indicate that the discharge of waste from antibiotic manufacturing site may pose a risk of horizontal transfer of ARGs.

Information and analytical system for environmental monitoring of water bodies

An integral part of maintaining a favorable environmental situation on our planet is the observation of its individual objects, including special attention is paid to water bodies. This is due not only to the natural human need for its consumption, but also to other aspects of the anthropogenic factor, which includes unintentional pollution of the environment with industrial and other waste. The task of increasing the effectiveness of measures aimed at the effective performance of work on the collection of water and soil samples from individual reservoirs, as well as the collection, accumulation and processing of data on reservoirs through the introduction of a system of environmental monitoring of water bodies is being solved. Such a system will speed up the work of environmental organizations, and also contributes to the formation of a brief set of recommendations for restoration measures and will give an overall assessment of the ecological state of the reservoir. The purpose of this work is to automate the process of accounting and processing information about the results of laboratory studies of various types of samples and tests on the basis of the performed cycle of calculations to form estimates and recommendations on the ecological state of the reservoir and to make final reports.

Mycobacterium microti at the Environment and Wildlife Interface

An unexpected high presence of Mycobacterium microti in wild boar in Northern Italy (Garda Lake) has been reported since 2003, but the factors contributing to the maintenance of this pathogen are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the presence of M. microti in wild rodents and in water and soil samples collected at wild boar aggregation areas, such as watering holes, with the aim of clarifying their role in M. microti transmission. In total, 8 out of 120 captured animals tested positive for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) as assessed by real-time PCR, and six samples were confirmed to be M. microti. A strain with a genetic profile similar to those previously isolated in wild boars in the same area was isolated from one sample. Of the 20 water and 19 mud samples, 3 and 1, respectively, tested positive for the presence of MTBC, and spacer oligotype SB0118 (vole type) was detected in one sample. Our study suggests that wild rodents, in particular Apodemus sylvaticus, Microtus sp. and Apodemus flavicollis, play roles in the maintenance of M. microti infections in wild boar through ingestion or by contact with either infected excreta or a contaminated environment, such as at animal aggregation sites.

Isolation of Cyanobacterial Strains from Water and Soil Samples in Hanoi and Investigation of Their Cytotoxic Activity

As a part of ongoing efforts to exploit the pharmaceutical potential of domestic cyanobacteria, six strains belonging to the Nostocales order have been isolated from several sampling sites in Ha Noi as prerequisite material. The cytotoxic activity evaluation based on the MTT test resulted in four extracts from two strains (NK7 and NK1111) exhibiting the inhibitory activity against HeLa cells, with IC50 values ranging from 84.6 µg/mL to 257.3 µg/mL. In addition, the bioassay-guided isolation of the HK7 methanol extract led to one cytotoxic activity K3 fraction possessing two natural compounds. Compounds 1 showed the accurate mass of 352.2633 Da with the formula of C21H36O4 similar to three cytotoxic compounds 7Z-plakortide H, 10-gingerdiol, and ebelactone B. Compound 2 had the accurate mass of 278.1545 Da with the formula of C16H22O4 similar to four cytotoxic compounds pestaloficiol G, penicitrinol E-D, and isoversiol C.

Evaluation of lead (Pb) concentration in animal tissue, soil, and water samples from grazing pasture near mining industry in southern part of Mongolia

Lead (Pb) is a substance that can cause serious damage to the brain and kidneys, soften bones, adverse effect to the reproductive system, and can be fatal. Long-term exposure to the substance can damage not only children, but also adults' nervous systems. Lead does not belong into the category of toxic substances due to its effects on the human body. It is considered as a harmful substance. In this study, we analyzed lead concentration in liver and kidney of cattle, horse, sheep, and goat from the mining areas located in the Ulaanbadrakh, Zuunbayan, and Airag soums of Dornogovi province. As a result, the level of lead in the liver of sheep and goat Zuunbayan soum of Dornogovi province was slightly higher than in other soums. The content of heavy metals in water and soil samples did not exceed the international standard average.