The Effects of Organic Matter Rich Topsoil on the Germination Growth and Metal Uptake of Corn (\u3ci\u3eZea mays\u3c/i\u3e) Grown in Flue Dust Contaminated Soil

The large biomass of corn (Zea mays) and promising results from a previous experiment (Chlopecka and Adriano, 1995) concerning metal uptake by corn indicate that corn may be a good candidate for phytoremediation of trace metal contaminated soil. Appling soil (acid, thermic, typic paleudult) was treated with increasing levels of a metal rich flue dust based on Zn concentration (0, 150, 300, 600, 1200, and 2400 mg/kg). Four replicates at each Zn treatment level were either limed to pH 6.3-6.5 and covered with a two inch thick layer of organic matter rich topsoil (OM), unlimed and covered with OM, limed with no OM, or unlimed with no OM. Eight corn seeds were planted per pot and the pots randomly arranged on benches in a whitewashed greenhouse in early June. After a germination period of sixteen days, plants were removed from each pot leaving four plants per pot which grew for an additional five weeks. Acid digestions of plant tissue were analyzed for Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb, and Zn by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Soil samples from the start and end of the experiment were selectively extracted and analyzed for the same metals by AAS. Trace metal concentrations for corn top tissues ranged from 30.0 - 6500.0 mg/kg Zn, 1.0 - 24.0 mg/kg Cd, 4.0 - 12.0 mg/kg Cu, 90.0 - 200.0 mg/kg Fe, 2.0 - 6.5 mg/kg Ni, 200.0 - 2000.0 mg/kg Mn, and 3.0 - 21.0 mg/kg Pb. Trace metal concentrations for corn root tissues ranged from 70.0 - 8450.0 mg/kg Zn, 1.0 - 107.0 mg/kg Cd, 3.0 - 63.0 mg/kg Cu, 1450.0 - 3500.0 mg/kg Fe, 3.0 - 14.0 mg/kg Ni, 175.0 - 1400.0 mg/kg Mn, and 5.0 - 320.0 mg/kg Pb. The total weight of trace metals removed from the soil by the corn plants (top and root tissue) was calculated and these data were extrapolated to fully grown corn plants. The results of this extrapolation suggest that corn may be an effective phytoremediator of soils moderately contaminated by Zn and/or Cd. Very broad time estimations were on the order of 5 to 20 growing seasons for decontamination of Zn and/or Cd depending on initial contamination level. The OM rich topsoil amendment caused more rapid germination and increased dry biomass of the corn at all contamination levels. For every metal analyzed, the OM rich topsoil amendment decreased the amount of metal in the plant tissue grown in both the slightly acidic (6.3 & pH & 7.0) and acidic (4.0 & pH & 6.0) soils. While pH governs the overall mobility and speciation of trace metals, the results from this experiment suggest that organic matter may determine the amount of metal that ultimately becomes bioavailable

THE BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES OF BIVALVE MOLLUSCS TO NEUROLEPTIC CHLORPROMAZINE ARE COMPARABLE WITH THE RESPONSES OF HIGHER VERTEBRATES

Pharmaceuticals such as chlorpromazine (Cpz) are emerging aquatic pollutants with potential effects on non-target organisms. However, its effects on aquatic organisms remain limited and inconclusive. The aim of this study was to compare the responses to Cpz in marine and freshwater bivalve molluscs. Methods. Mytilus galloprovincialis and Unio tumidus were exposed to pM and nM concentrations of Cpz for 14 days and analysed 16 parameters, including cytotoxicity, oxidative/reductive stress responses, metallothionein concentration and biotransformation enzymes in the digestive gland. Results. In both species, Cpz increased EROD activity, possibly leading to the formation of reactive metabolites. Marine mussels exposed to Cpz I and II showed increased GST activity, suggesting detoxification, whereas freshwater mussels showed decreased GST activity, suggesting higher Cpz toxicity. Activation of the GTPase dynamin in U. tumidus exposed to Cpz I confirmed the effect of Cpz on endocytosis. Oxidative stress responses were observed in both species, with changes in oxidative/reductive stress responses, suggesting toxic effects of Cpz. GSH and metallothionein concentrations increased in all exposures, while the NADH/NAD+ ratio increased significantly in U. tumidus. Loss of lysosomal membrane stability was observed in all exposed groups, with CtD efflux detected only in mussels. Differences in caspase-3 activity were also observed between species. Conclusion. Cpz showed adverse effects on vertebrates at μM concentrations, while mussels were affected at pM to nM concentrations, indicating concentration-dependent interspecies effects. Stress responses were similar between species, suggesting that marine molluscs are a potential model for assessing the adverse effects of Cpz on higher vertebrates

Molecular docking analysis and in vivo assessment of zinc oxide nanoparticle toxicity in zebrafish larvae

The zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) being widely employed in several industries and consumer products, are raising concerns about their safety on aquatic biota and human health. This study aims to investigate the possible toxicological effects of ZnO-NPs through a combined in vivo and in silico approach. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to several ZnO-NPs concentrations and morphological alterations and lipid peroxidation (MDA) were investigated. Furthermore, molecular docking simulations were applied to study the intermolecular interactions of ZnO-NPs against critical embryonic proteins namely zebrafish hatching enzyme1 (ZHE1) as well as the superoxide dismutase (SOD1). Treatment with ZnO-NPs resulted in an increase in MDA concentration and a decrease in antioxidant enzyme levels. Besides a significant decrease in mRNA expression of key enzymes of ROS detoxification genes, a modulation of inflammatory genes with a low downregulation of tnf-α, and an upregulation of il-1β were observed. Docking study suggests that the delayed hatching and increased cellular oxidative stress in zebrafish embryos may occur through a synergistic mechanism based on the ZnO-NP—dependent inhibition of ZHE1 and SOD1 enzymes. The integration of in vivo assessments with in silico computational modeling provided a more comprehensive evaluation of potential physiological risks in zebrafish embryos associated with nanomaterial exposure

Predicting cadmium adsorption on soils using WHAM VI

Cadmium (Cd) adsorption on 14 non-calcareous New Jersey soils was investigated with a batch method. Both adsorption edge and isotherm experiments were conducted covering a wide range of soil composition, e.g. soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration ranging from 0.18% to 7.15%, and varying Cd concentrations and solution pH. The SOC and solution pH were the most important parameters controlling Cd partition equilibrium between soils and solutions in our experimental conditions. The Windermere humic aqueous model (WHAM) was used to calculate Cd adsorption on soils. The effect of solution chemistry (various pH and Cd concentrations) on Cd adsorption can be well accounted for by WHAM. For different soil compositions, SOC concentration is the most important parameter for Cd binding. Only a fraction of SOC, the so-called active organic carbon (AOC), is responsible for Cd binding. We found a linear relationship between SOC and AOC based on the adsorption edge data. The linear relationship was validated by the independent data sets: adsorption isotherm data, which presumably can be used to predict Cd partition equilibrium across a wide range of soil compositions. The modeling approach presented in this study helps to quantitatively predict Cd behavior in the environment

A STUDY OF THE PREDICTION OF FINAL GRADES FOR A SAMPLE OF NINTH GRADE MALES UNDERTAKING AN ACADEMIC PROGRAM IN TEN HIGH SCHOOLS OF THE DIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Abstract not availabl

Responsible architecture : design of a mid-rise building that uses passive energy techniques

The thesis project to be undertaken in the spring of 2004 is to design a mid-rise building, which utilizes technology to passively condition a building. The project also looks at the climatic conditions of a city and designs according to its CAUCUles and changes. Architects call to this kind of design "bio-climatic." In this case, the city of Milwaukee is studied as an example of how a building such as this can flourish where bio-climatic study has not been examined. The climate in Milwaukee is colder more often than warm, and the designer has to find ways designing according to those conditions. A bio-climatic mid-rise will bring added value to the city in many ways, not only in monetary value, but it will be responsive to its surroundings and the environment.The general site is located north of the downtown area in a former freeway corridor, called the Park East Freeway. Its purpose was to bring vehicular traffic from the main freeway to the east end of downtown. The Park East's original intention was to link to a freeway that ran along the lakeshore. Fortunately, that section was not built, so the Park East remained a dead-end highway. In 2000, amidst much opposition from outlying communities, then Milwaukee mayor John O. Norquist decided that the Park East Freeway must come down. This is one situation where the people of Milwaukee have realized the damage that has been done with freeway construction, and they wish to restore this area.It is important for the city to re-stitch those two districts of the city that were torn apart by the freeway's presence. The fall semester was spent studying the urban design issues of the whole freeway corridor, one city-block wide, by 14 blocks long, in order to develop a master plan for the site. From then, the spring semester was spent taking one specific site from the corridor, to design the buildingOne area of the world has achieved sustainable design based on climatic issues, led by architect Ken Yeang Yeang's model for a sustainable high-rise building in Southeast Asia will guide the design process, but the challenge is to effectively apply the principles he uses and apply them in a North Central United States climate. Several objectives will be set in order to understand the scope of this project. They include designing a project that tests the model for high-rise sustainability as proposed by Ken Yeang, utilizing passive energy techniques to reduce energy loads placed on a building, implementing an in-depth study of Milwaukee's climate, and introducing a high-density community, while knitting the torn fabric of downtown.The research and execution of the design will be done under the guidance of Andrew Seager, thesis professor, along with help from Robert Koester and Jeff Culp, thesis advisors, all of Ball State University. An adjunct professor from the University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin, James Wasley, will also provide his assistance to the project.College of Architecture and PlanningThesis (B. Arch.