Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Following is the May/June edition of EarthLink, a bi-monthly current awareness newsletter produced by INFOTERRA/USA. EarthLink provides information on international environmental activities, publications and news of interest to EPA staff and other environment professionals.
Sections:
Article: Dioxin and Human Health
Internet Sites for Dioxin and Food Safety
International Environment News
General
Air Pollution
Marine Pollution
UpcomingInternational Conferences
INFOTERRA Information
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Dioxin and Human Health
The recent incidence of dioxin contamination in Belgium calls renewed attention to the issue of dioxin contaminated foods. The dioxin-tainted fat, possibly poisoned by used transformer oil which was dumped into a public recycling container for used frying oil, was used to make poultry feed resulting in the contamination of meat, dairy and poultry products. The United States blocked European Union imports of pork and poultry, and Singapore banned all EU meat products. Several countries around the world took similar measures against Belgian products. The EU took strong measures, forcing EU nations to destroy any poultry, eggs, or byproducts produced between January 15 and June 1, 1999 from some 400 suspect farms in Belgium.
Dioxin has also contaminated the food chain on other occasions. For example, in 1997 in the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration required testing of chicken eggs and catfish before products could be distributed for human consumption after the discovery of dioxin contamination in ball clay.
Dioxins are ubiquitous in the environment, but they do not occur naturally and are not produced intentionally. Dioxins are the resulting by-products from incineration of toxic and urban waste, the manufacture of chlorinated solvents and pesticides and from the production and disposal of the plastic PVC. Human exposure to dioxin is primarily from food intake. Dioxin was commonly used in herbicides and pesticides years ago, but its production has declined since the discovery of its harmful effects which include cancer, suppression of the immune system and interference with regulatory hormones, and severe reproductive and developmental problems. It was also a component of Agent Orange, an herbicide used by the United States in the Vietnam War.
According to the World Health Organization Centre for Environment and Health, dioxins and furans are analyzed together in food samples, and are generally referred to generically as 'dioxins'. They are in fact formed as trace amounts of undesired impurities in the manufacture of other chemicals such as chlorinated phenols, PCBs and others. Together polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) constitute a group of persistent environmental chemicals.
The elimination of dioxin is a key issue in the intergovernmental negotiations
for a United Nations treaty which would ultimately ban all persistent
organic pollutants (POPs). The next meeting for this United Nations treaty,
which will begin with twelve specific POPs, will take place in Geneva
in September 1999. The UN Governing Council pointed out the need to develop
science-based criteria and a procedure for identifying additional persistent
organic pollutants as candidates for future international action and called
for the establishment of an expert group to carry out this work. UNEP
has already conducted several regional/subregional workshops on POPs to
push for immediate action against them. The resulting proceedings and
case studies are available via the United Nations Environment Programme
Persistent Organic Pollutants website at http://irptc.unep.ch/pops/
.
Sources
"Contamination With Dioxin of Some Belgian Food Products," World Health
Organization European Centre for Environment and Health Website. Available
from http://www.who.dk/
. Accessed 15 June 1999.
Clark, Rachel, "Dioxin and Health," Environmental Research Foundation's
Rachel's Environment & Health Weekly, No. 463 (12 October 1995). Available
from http://www.enviroweb.org/pubs/rachel/rehw463.htm
.
Accessed 15 June 1999.
"Food Scare is Leaving Tables Bare in Belgium," New York Times, 7 June 1999: E15.
United Nations Environment Programme Persisent Organic Pollutants Website.
Available from http://irptc.unep.ch/Pops/
.
Accessed 17 June 1999.
United States Food and Drug Administration Dioxin Advisories and Guidance
Website. Available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/topics/dioxmenu.htm
.
Accessed 18 June 1999.
Internet Sites for Dioxin and Food Safety
Risk Communication: Food Safety
http://www.foodsafetynetwork.ca/
Dioxin Exposure Initiative
http://www.epa.gov/ncea/dei.htm
Dioxin and Related Chemicals
http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/dioxin.cfm?ActType=default
Dioxin Homepage
http://www.enviroweb.org/enviroissues/dioxin/index.html
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT NEWS
General
Whetzel, Carolyn. "U.S. - Mexico Border: Most of Mexico's Border Towns Expected to Have Drinking Water Systems by 2000." International Environment Reporter, 26 May 1999 (Vol. 22, No. 11): 442-443.
At the annual Border XXI Program National Coordinators Meeting, government officials announced that public drinking water systems should be in place for 93 percent of Mexico's border population by the end of 2000. Mexico has also predicted that 75 percent of the border residents will be provided sewage infastructure and 81 percent will have waste water treatment capacity. "The Border XXI program is a binational effort between the United States and Mexico to protect the natural resources and environment of the border region."
Scott, Richard. "Does Biodiversity Make Soil Work?" NERC News, Spring 1999: 24-25.
"A new NERC thematic programme, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function in Soil, combines novel taxonomic methods and field experiments to probe the link between biodiversity and functioning of upland grassland soil. This research will be directly useful to managers of grassland sites. But the knowledge of ecosystem function should also be of much wider relevance to subjects such as global change, crop management and pest control. The research will link a worldwide network of soil biodiversity projects, to establish whether the results are valid under different conditions."
Klasky, Philip M., "Cross-border Cooperation: Activists Work to Stop Nuke Dumps," Earth Island Journal, (Summer 1999):41.
Proposed sites for the dumping of American nuclear waste near the US-Mexico border has stirred the ire of both American and Mexican anti-nuclear activists. Mr. Klasky's article reports how such dumps, particularly ones slated for construction along rivers that flow into Mexico, are perceived by Native American groups in Mexico as threats to their sacred lands and water supply. The reason for increased concern on this issue is that the La Paz agreement, signed in 1981 between the US and Mexico to safeguard environmental quality along the US-Mexico border, is up for renewal in the year 2000. According to Klasky, activists on both sides of the border have used it to stall efforts to build such nuclear waste dumps and are eager to support its extension.
Holmes, Henry, "Fight Continues Against Globalization," Earth Island Journal, (Summer 1999): 12.
Mr. Holmes, the director of SAGE (Sustainable Alternatives to the Global Economy), reports on measures taken by activists against the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MIA) which, according to Holmes, is a new constitution for a global economy to protect the interests of investors across national borders at the expense of environmental protection, ecologically sustainable development, human rights, consumer protection, labor rights and the needs of local communities. He reports that due to activist pressure, the MAI negotiations, conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, were reduced in scope yet warns that the MAI is still a force to deal with. The remainder of the article details the recent actions of SAGE in support of local sustainable development efforts.
Valve, Helena, "Frame Conflicts and the Formulation of Alternatives: Environmental assessment of an Infrastructure Plan" Environmental Impact Assessment Review 19, No.2 (March 1999): 125-142.
This article studies the conflicts related to the construction of policy alternatives by analyzing the environmental assessment of a transport infrastructure plan. The results indicate that not only the definition of the scope of the assessment task, but also the restrictions of decision-making, are key issues. The environmental assessment of plans, programs, and policies should serve as an open policy forum where mutual learning among participants takes place. Communication problems, however, may occur when participants cannot agree upon the alternatives which need to be examined.
George, Clive, "Testing for sustainable development through environmental assessment," Environmental Impact Assessment 19, No. 2: 175-200.
The potential of environmental assessment as a sustainability instrument
has long been recognized, but the criteria against which development proposals
traditionally are judged are not necessarily criteria for sustainable
development. Meanwhile, Agenda 21 identified the need for indicators of
sustainable development for use in decision-making, but those that have
been developed are not easy to apply in project level environmental assessment.
These problems are addressed by returning to the fundamental principles
of sustainable development and relating them to the principles of environmental
assessment. In this way, 18 criteria have been derived, all of which must
be satisfied if a development proposal is to be classified as sustainable
development. These criteria have been tested against a number of actual
environmental assessments to identify the likely consequences for project
approval.
Air Pollution
"Ozone Depletion: Depletion Slower in 1998 Despite Record Size, Intensity of Antarctic Hole, WMO Says." International Environment Reporter, 12 May 1999 (vol. 22, No. 10): 402-403.
A World Meteorological Organization official, Rumen Bojkov, stated that the ozone layer disappeared at a slightly reduced rate in 1998 although the Antarctic ozone hole reached record levels of size and intensity. This article provides possible explanations. It also discusses the effect of the sudden rise in upper atmosphere temperatures.
Kirwin, Joe. "European Union: EU Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rising; Commission Seeks Action on 'Alarming' Trend." International Environment Reporter, 26 May 1999 (Vol. 22, No. 11): 433-434.
According to the European Commission, the 15 member states of the European Union must take measures to halt the trend of rising greenhouse gas emissions. This is necessary to help the EU meet the Kyoto Protocol commitment to reduce carbon dioxide and other sources of global warming.
"Technologies for Reducing Methane Emissions." Greenhouse Issues, March 1999 (No. 41): 1-5.
This article states that methane is second most important of the anthropogenic greenhouse gases only to carbon dioxide. It discusses studies, procedures and costs for reducing methane emissions. It also emphasises the need for the developed countries to share their technology and experience, so the developing countries can practice emission reduction. Additional papers, "Technologies for Reducing Methane Emissions" and "Abatement of Methane Emissions" are available, for a fee, from IEA Greenhouse Gas Programme, Stoke Orchard, Cheltenham, Glos. GL52 4RZ, United Kingdom.
Harrison, Roy M., Shi, Ji Ping and Jones, M.R., "Continuous Measurements of Aerosol Physical Properties in the Urban Atmosphere," Atmospheric Environment, Volume 33, Issue 7 (March 1999): 1037-1047.
The authors are interested in the health effects of particulates in the urban atmosphere but do not know whether the mass, number or the surface area is the most important determinant of their toxicity. The work described in this paper was conducted in order to investigate the inter-relationships of those properties of the urban aerosol and to understand the effects of source emissions and meteorological variables upon aerosol properties. Simultaneous continuous measurements have been made at an urban background site of PM10 mass by Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance, particle number density by condensation nucleus counter and Fuchs surface area using an epiphaniometer. Concurrent measurements of gaseous NOx and CO have been used to indicate road traffic emissions, and data from a nearby meteorological station have been used for relative humidity, temperature and windspeed. The data indicate that particle number density is a far better indicator of traffic activity than PM10 mass which is strongly influenced by a high background, and also tends to peak rather later than the gaseous pollutants and particle number, presumably as a result of advection of accumulation mode aerosol. PM10 mass and Fuchs surface area generally show a very similar temporal trend, although there is a tendency for the ratio of surface area to dry particle mass to increase with relative humidity. The sampling period included bonfire night celebrations which caused substantial increases in all particle parameters, although the ratio of particle mass to number was considerably higher than for the morning rush hour road traffic-influenced peak.
Venkatram, Akula, Fitz, Dennis, Bumiller, Kurt, Shuming, Du, Boeck, Michael and Ganguly, Chandragupta, "Using a Dispersion Model to Estimate Emissions Rates of Particulate Matter from Paved Roads," Atmospheric Environment, Volume 33, Issue 7 (March 1999): 1093-1102.
From January 1996 to June 1997, the authors carried out a series of measurements to estimate emissions of PM10 from paved roads in Riverside County, California. The program involved the measurement of upwind and downwind vertical profiles of PM10, in addition to meteorological variables such as wind speed and vertical turbulent intensity. This information was analyzed using a new dispersion model that incorporates current understanding of micrometeorology and dispersion. The emission rate was inferred by fitting model predictions to measurements. The inferred emission factors ranged from 0.2gVKT-1 for freeways to about 3gVKT-1 for city roads. The uncertainty in these factors is estimated to be approximately a factor of two since the contributions of paved road PM10 emissions to ambient concentrations were comparable to the uncertainty in the mean value of the measurement. At this stage, the authours' best estimate of emission factor lies between 0.1 and 10gVKT-1; there is some indication that it is about 0.1 g VKT-1 for heavily traveled freeways, and is an order of magnitude higher for older city roads. We found that measured silt loadings were poor predictors of emission factors. The measured emission factors imply that paved road emissions may contribute about 30% to the total PM10 emissions from a high traffic area such as Los Angeles. This suggests that it is necessary to develop methods that are more reliable than the upwind¯downwind concentration difference technique.
Parat, Sylvie, Alain Perdrix, Sylvie Mann and Pierre Baconnier. "Contribution of particle counting in assessment of exposure to airborne microorganisms." Atmospheric Environment, Vol. 33, Iss. 6 (March 1999): 951-959.
The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between airborne bacterial concentrations and particle counts measured simultaneously at different sites. Andersen single stage viable particle samplers were used for microbial measurements while a Laser particle counter gave the cumulated counts of particles larger than 0.5 m diameter. The first phase of the study was performed in two experimental rooms where the basic level of microbial contamination was low. Peaks of concentrations were generated by human activity and both bacterial and particle counts were monitored over 1h. In the second phase, measurements were run for several days in three different buildings normally occupied. Natural variations of bacterial and particle counts were monitored: microbial measurements were performed each hour while particle counts were started with a 10min frequency. Statistics revealed strong positive correlations between bacterial and particle counts in four sites out of five. Analyses of covariance used to compare the regression lines obtained in each area showed that except for two natural sites, the regression lines were significantly different, indicating that no absolute relationship can be established between the two parameters. Therefore, particle counting should, of course, not take the place of microorganism measurements, but combining particle counting with bioaerosols measurements may allow detection of rapid variations instantaneously and indicate further microbial measurements. This strategy should improve the assessment of people's real exposure to airborne microorganisms.
Fuglestvedt, Jan S., Terje K. Berntsen, Ivar S. A. Isaksen, Huiting Mao, Xin-Zhong Liang and Wei-Chyung Wang. "Climatic forcing of nitrogen oxides through changes in tropospheric ozone and methane; global 3D model studies." Atmospheric Environment, Vol. 33, Iss. 6 (March 1999): 961-977.
A three-dimensional global chemical tracer model and a radiation transfer model have been used to study the role of NOx emissions for radiative forcing of climate. Through production of tropospheric O3, NOx emissions lead to positive radiative forcing and warming. But by affecting the concentration of OH radicals, NOx also reduces the levels of CH4, thereby giving negative forcing and cooling. The lifetime of NOx varies from hours to days, giving large spatial variations in the levels of NOx. We have selected geographical regions representing different chemical and physical conditions, and chemical and radiative effects of reducing NOx emissions by 20% in each region are studied. Due to nonlinearities in the O3 chemistry as well as differences in convective activity, there are large geographical differences in the effect of NOx on O3 as well as variations in the annual profile of the changes. The effect of NOx emissions on methane is also found to depend on the localisation of the emissions. The calculated ozone and methane forcing are of similar magnitude but of opposite sign. The methane effect acts on a global scale with a delay of approximately a decade, while the ozone effect is of regional character and occurs during weeks.
"Street level versus rooftop concentrations of submicron aerosol particles and gaseous pollutants in an urban street canyon," Atmospheric Environment 33, No. 9 (April 1999): 1385-1397.
Gaseous air pollutants and aerosol particle concentrations were monitored in an urban street canyon for two weeks. The measurements were performed simultaneously at two different heights: at street level (gases 3m, aerosol particles 1.5m) and at a rooftop 25m above the ground. The main objective of the study was to investigate the vertical changes in concentrations of pollutants and the factors leading to the formation of the differences. It was clearly seen that most of the particles originate from traffic in the vicinity of the measurement site. Also a few events were detected which might have been due to local gas-to-particle conversion.
Bockreis, A. and J. Jager, "Odour monitoring by the combination of sensors and neural networks," Environmental Modelling and Software 14, No. 5 (March 1999): 421-426.
Waste treatment unavoidably results in odour emissions. It is, therefore, necessary to identify and evaluate these odour emissions and to develop a measuring method which is objective and efficient. One method is the use of a combination of sensors and neural networks. With this device, called an "Electronic Nose", not only odour but all kinds of substances, depending on the selectivities of the sensors, can be detected and monitored. With reference to the characteristic patterns of defined emission situations, process control is possible in order to classify the emitting parts of a plant.
Marine Pollution
Hashimoto, S.et. al. , "Nitrous oxide emissions from coastal waters in Tokyo Bay," Marine Environment Research 47, No. 3 (April 1999): 213-223.
The distribution, source and atmospheric flux of nitrous oxide (N2O) in seawater in Tokyo Bay were investigated from May to October 1994 to evaluate this area as an N2O source to the atmosphere. Both the high concentration of surface N2O in the low salinity region and absence of significant spatial deviation in the distribution of N2O with season suggested that the main source of N2O was input of fresh water; discharge of treated sewage waters containing N2O in the bay area is probably the main source of the observed high concentrations of N2O in seawater there.
Cabezut-Boo, Octavio, et.al., "Towards an Ontology of Waste Water Treatment Plants: the Identification Phase," Environmental Modelling and Software 14, No. 5 (March 1999): 401-408.
Water pollution in Mexico is an important issue calling for heuristic knowledge to adequately design and operate new plants. This paper discusses the role of the identification phase in the attainment of a knowledge base to obtain a domain ontology of wastewater treatment plants. The paper includes two examples of wastewater plants: an activated sludge facility and a stabilization lagoon. The knowledge bases developed by the authors are discussed to support the thesis that a most difficult part of the task is the gathering and ordering of the necessary data and therefore one must take care in interviewing skilled operators and maintain good logs of the operation. The results obtained so far can be qualified as successful, they have helped novice operators to reduce their learning curve.
Metcalfe, C., T. Metcalfe, S. Ray, G. Paterson and B. Koenig. "Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine compounds in brain, liver and muscle of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from the Arctic and St. Lawrence estuary." Marine Environmental Research, Vol.47, Iss. 1. (February 1999): 1-15.
Brain, liver and muscle samples from seven male beluga whales, Delphinapterus leucas, from Hendrickson Island in the Canadian Arctic (n=3) and the St. Lawrence River estuary (n=4), were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other organochlorine (OC) compounds to determine whether there are differences in the distribution of these contaminants in beluga tissues and between geographic locations. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the PCB and OC data indicated that contaminant profiles in belugas from the St. Lawrence reflect point-source inputs of these compounds while Arctic samples appear to be dominated by PCB congeners and OC compounds subject to long-range transport and deposition. Discriminant functions analysis of the contaminant data for the brain, liver and muscle tissues indicated that the distributions of OC compounds in the liver and muscle tissues were very similar.
Baumard, P., H. Budzinski, P. Garrigues, H. Dizer and P. D. Hansen. "Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in recent sediments and mussels (Mytilus edulis) from the Western Baltic Sea: occurrence, bioavailability and seasonal variation." Marine Environmental Research, Vol.47, Iss. 1. (February 1999): 17-47.
Surface sediments and mussels, Mytilus edulis, collected in the Baltic Sea in March 1995, October 1995 and August 1996 have been analysed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content. The analyses have been performed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Total sediment PAH concentrations range from 3 to about 30000 ng/g while total mussel PAH concentrations range from 90 to about 3900 ng/g. Molecular indices based on isomeric PAH ratios differentiate the pollution sources, pointing out differences between Germany and Poland. Most of the contamination originates from high temperature pyrolytic inputs with some slight overimpositions of petrogenic and diagenetic PAHs. Mussel and sediment total PAH concentrations have been found to be moderately correlated (r2=0.51 for March, 0.58 for August and 0.98 for October). Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) have been calculated and have shown higher values for the mussels sampled in March. Differences of BAFs have been observed for the different compounds resulting from different uptake pathways and metabolism abilities of Mytilus edulis.
M. Pettine, L. Patrolecco, M. Manganelli, S. Capri and M. G. Farrace. "Seasonal variations of dissolved organic matter in the northern Adriatic Sea." Marine Chemistry, Vol. 64, Iss. 3 (March 1999):153-169.
Concentrations and seasonal variability of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total dissolved carbohydrates (TDCHO), and dissolved free amino acids (DFAA), were measured in two frontal regions of the northern Adriatic Sea during two surveys (June, 1996 and February, 1997). Colloidal (>1 kDa) and truly dissolved (<1 kDa) fractions of DOC were also determined. DOC, TDCHO and DFAA concentrations were higher in summer than winter confirming previous findings on DOC seasonality in northern Adriatic waters. The accumulation of dissolved organic matter in summer presumably involves an enrichment in biorefractory compounds discharged by riverine inputs or produced by abiotic transformations and an inability of bacteria to consume all of the DOC produced. Increases in biological productivity and freshwater residence time and the onset of strong water stratification which occur in summer also favour this accumulation. The average contribution of TDCHO to DOC ranged from 20% in June to 15% in February, while that given by DFAA was about 1% in both seasons. The estimated contributions to DOC by both these classes of compounds rank in the high range of values reported for marine environments. Results on DOC molecular weight distribution showed that the largest fraction of the overall DOC pool was colloidal (~60%), with truly dissolved compounds being a minor contribution. The observed accumulation of dissolved organic matter in summer along with an increased role of carbohydrates and colloidal matter may be critical factors for the formation of mucilaginous aggregates in this basin.
Weber, James H. "Volatile hydride and methyl compounds of selected elements formed in the marine environment." Marine Chemistry, Vol. 65, Iss. 1-2 (May 1999): 67-75.
This review selectively describes volatile compounds of phosphorus, arsenic, sulfur, selenium, tin, lead and mercury in the marine environment with an emphasis on mercury. The discussion includes formation of volatile hydride, methyl, and mixed methyl/hydride compounds by biotic, abiotic, and mixed biotic/abiotic paths. The review also describes stabilities of the volatile compounds to water and oxygen, their environmental concentrations, and their marine fluxes to the atmosphere.
Mason, Robert P., Nicole M. Lawson, Angie L. Lawrence, Joy J. Leaner, Jenny G. Lee, and Guey-Rong Sheu. "Mercury in the Chesapeake Bay." Marine Chemistry, Vol. 65, Iss. 1-2 (May 1999): 77-96.
To elucidate the fate of mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MMHg) in estuaries, these scientists studied the biogeochemical cycling of Hg in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Measurements of total Hg and mercury speciation (MMHg and dissolved gaseous Hg (DGHg)) have been made in the surface waters of the Chesapeake Bay system, including sampling transects into Baltimore Harbor. Based on the information available, a preliminary mass balance budget is constructed for the Chesapeake Bay. Direct atmospheric deposition contributes a substantial portion of the Hg to the Bay while sedimentary removal is the principal sink. Overall, 29% of the riverine and atmospheric inputs to the Bay is exported to the coastal ocean. Thus, the Bay is an efficient trap for Hg. The Bay is, however, a net source of MMHg, suggesting that significant methylation of Hg occurs within the estuary. On a watershed scale, only about 5% of the total atmospheric deposition to the watershed is exported to the coastal ocean.
Watling, Les and Norse, Elliot A., "Clearcutting the Ocean Floor," Earth Island Journal, (Summer 1999): 29-31.
This article deals with the issue of trawling, a way of scouring the
ocean floor for fish and invertibrates using large nets, and illustrates
how the practice decreases ocean biodiversity in the same way that clearcutting
forests hurts the world's land-based biodiversity. In fact, the article
suggests that trawling is more dangerous than forest clearcutting because
the area affected by trawling is 150 times the area which is logged and
trawling's effects are much more likely to occur unnoticed by humans until
the point of no-return. The article explains how trawling eliminates biodiviersity
by damaging habitat and names several areas of concern such as Georges
Bank and the Gulf of Maine. The article concludes with recent legislation
aimed at preventing decreased ocean biodiversity and five steps to be
taken by fishers and consumers towards the same, worthy goal. The article
is a condensed version of a longer, peer-reviewed paper, the full-text
of which may be viewed at http://www.americanoceans.org
and
http://www.mcbi.org .
McKenzie, C., Godley, B.J., Furness, R.W. and Wells, D.E., "Concentrations and Patterns of Organochlorine Contaminants in marine Turtles from Mediterranean and Atlantic Waters," Marine Environmental Research, Volume 47, Issue 2 (March 1999): 117-135.
Concentrations of individual chlorobiphenyls (CBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in marine turtle tissues collected from the Mediterranean (Cyprus, Greece) and European Atlantic waters (Scotland) between 1994 and 1996 are described. Three sea turtle species most commonly found in Mediterranean and European Atlantic waters are used in the study: the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). Only the green turtle and the loggerhead turtle are thought to breed in the Mediterranean region, with nesting mainly taking place on the shores of the eastern Mediterranean, both populations being considered as regionally endangered. In addition, marine turtles from distant breeding populations, especially leatherback and loggerhead turtles, are often recorded in the European Atlantic and the Mediterranean. These species are considered as globally endangered and globally threatened, respectively. CB concentrations were highest in adipose tissue and ranged from 775 to 893, 39 to 261 and 47 to 178 g/kg wet wt in loggerhead (Caretta carretta), green (Chelonia mydas) and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtles, respectively. Omnivorous loggerhead turtles had the highest organochlorine contaminant (OC) concentrations in all tissues sampled. It is thought that dietary preferences were likely to be the main differentiating factor among species. Decreasing lipid contaminant burdens with turtle size were observed in green turtles, most likely attributable to a change in diet with age. Principal component analysis of data from loggerhead and green turtles indicated that there were also pattern differences between species, confirming bioaccumulation differences.
Clarkson, N., Redshaw, C.J., Leftley, J.W., Meldrum, D.T. and Watson, J, "Evaluation of an Algal Bioassay Cage-Culture Turbidostat Method for the Toxicity Assessment of Effluents," Marine Environmental Research, Volume 47, Issue 2 (March 1999): 157-173.
The authors posit that standard species toxicity tests will not increase
our understanding of the mechanisms and processes that determine the environmental
fate and impact of a pollutant (McEldowney et al., 1993). To this end
and in the search for cost-effective, time- and labour-efficient bioanalytical
protocols, research is continuing to develop new ecotoxicological methods.
The effectiveness of a computer-controlled cage-culture turbidostat (CCT)
as an algal test was evaluated in comparison with three widely used aquatic
toxicity test methods for the toxicity assessment of industrial effluents.
Effluent samples were collected from two major industrial outfalls discharging
to the Firth of Clyde, Scotland: Site A (Effluents 1 and 2) and Site B
(Effluent 3). These samples were collected as part of the routine monitoring
programme of the Clyde River Purification Board (since subsumed as part
of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency). Each sample was tested
for toxicity using a variety of ecotoxicological methods including the
CCT, algal growth inhibition toxicity test (AGITT), oyster embryo¯larval
toxicity (OEL) test and Microtox(TM). The two algal bioassays, the CCT
and AGITT, indicated the same ranking of effluent toxicity, in descending
order 2, 1, 3. The OEL test was found to be the most sensitive method
and Microtox(TM) the least sensitive of the tests used. The CCT was found
to be easy to run and operate on a day-to-day basis. However, a limit
to the number of assays that could be carried out in each experimental
run, the time taken for each run and inability to perform rigorous analysis
on the data make the CCT unsuitable for regulatory purposes in its present
form.
Upcoming International Conferences
1. POPs Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Third Session
Geneva, Switzerland
6-11 September 1999
This meeting is a multinational conference sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to establish criteria for the elimination of specific persistent organic pollutants including dioxin. Contact: Mr Jim Willis, Director, UNEP Chemicals P.O. Box 356 15 chemin des Anémones, Châtelaine CH-1219 Geneva, Switzerland. Telephone: (+41 22) 979 9183; Fax: (+41 22) 797 3460; E-mail: pops@unep.ch
2. WEFTEC '99: Collection Systems and O&M
Salt Lake City, Utah
1-4 August 1999
This year's Water Environment Federation conference aims to equip collection system policy makers and professionals with timely and pertinent information for the operation, maintenance, and management of collection systems, with special emphasis on the challenges of extremely hot or cold climates. Contact: Nancy Blatt or Barry Eisenberg; Telephone: (703) 684-2400; Fax: (703) 684-2492.
3. 6th Conference on Environmental Science and Technology
University of Aegean
Pythagorion, Samos, Greece
30 August-2 September 1999
The aim of this conference, organized by the Global Network of Environmental
Science and Technology and the University of Aegean, is to present results
of research and innovated technologies related to environmental problems,
which threaten the quality of life on Earth. Contact: Mrs. Aspasia Liati
30, Voulgaroktonou str., GR114 72 Athens, Greece; Telephone: +30 1 6492111;
Fax: +30 1 6492199; E-mail: cest@gnest.org;
Website: http://www.cest.gnest.org.
4. International Conference on Coastal Engineering
Sydney, Australia
16-21 July 1999
The Institute of Engineers, Australia and the Coastal Engineering Research Council of the American Society of Civil Engineers sponsors this conference. It will cover coastal oceanography and meteorology, coastal sediment processes, shore protection, coastal structures, coastal environment, dredging, navigation channels, harbors and ports. Contact: Conference Secretariat, C/O Capital Conferences Pty Ltd., PO Box N399, Grosvener Place NSW 1220, Australia; Telephone: + 61 (0) 2 92523388; Fax: + 61 (0) 2 92415282; Email: capcon@ozemail.com.au.
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