Determination of sodium saccharin in animal feed, wastewater and human urine by high-pressure liquid chromatography

Analytical methods are described for sodium saccharin in animal feed, wastewater and human urine at levels as low as 10, 0.1 and 10 ppm, respectively. Samples of animal feed and wastewater are subjected to liquid-liquid partitioning then the feed is further cleaned up on a column of silica gel prior to analysis by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a paired-ion mobile phase and an ultraviolet detector set at 230 nm. Samples of human urine require a cleanpu on a column of XAD-2 prior to the partitioning and silica gel steps as well as an adjustment in the composition of the mobile phase to quantify saccharin. Data concerning partition values and the stability of sodium saccharin in animal feed are also presented.

Trace metals in waters

The topic of this paper is extremely broad, and to allow more useful discussion, emphasis is placed on trace (less than 1 mg/l) metals in fresh surface waters and in drinking waters. An attempt is made to give a broad overview of current knowledge, problems and research with particular reference to the following: (1) metals of interest, current standards of water quality relevant to health, and concentrations of metals in waters; (2) sources of, and other factors affecting, the concentrations of metals; (3) general problems in the measurement of metal concentrations; (4) important research topics.

Herbicide contamination and decontamination of well waters in Ontario, Canada, 1969-78

OVER THE 10-YEAR period 1969-78, the waters of 237 wells were analyzed because of contamination from herbicide spillage in or near the well, complaints of impaired water flavor, or injury to seedling plants moistened with the well water. Herbicides were identified in 159 wells: 98 had a single herbicide, 46 had two, 12 had three, one had four, and another had five separate herbicides contributing to the contamination. Wells were grouped according to the mode of entry of the contaminant. Entry occurred most commonly as an aerial spray fdrift or in runoff. Serious contaminations were caused by spillage of herbicide concentrates and spray solutions in or around the well. Twenty-four of the contaminated wells were further investigated to determine the persistence of the contaminant and how to remove it. Some wells were decontaminated adequately to allow reuse within nine weeks, others required three years, and yet others had to be abandoned. Particularly persistent contaminants were amitrole, dinoseb, and picloram.

Triazine herbicide residues in central European streams

Triazine herbicide residues were monitored in the rivers Adour, Danube, Garonne, Herault, Loire, Marne, Oise, Rhine, and Rhône from spring 1976 to fall 1977 to determine whether the continued use of the compounds resulted in accumulations of undesirable residues in the streams. Samples were generally collected monthly or bimonthly and analyzed for the parent compounds atrazine, simazine, terbumeton, terbuthylazine, and dealkylated metabolites GS 26571 (2-amino-4-etert-butylamino-6-methoxy-1,3,5-triazine) and G 30033 (2-amino-4-chloro-6-ethylamino-1,3,5-triazine). The compounds were extracted into dichloromethane and quantitated by gas chromatography (GC) with nitrogen-specific detection. Selected results were verified by GC with mass fragmentographic detection. Limit of detection was usually 0.4 mg/m3; 80 percent of all results were below 0.4 mg/m3, 14 percent were 0.4-1 mg/m3, 6 percent were 1-10 mg/m3, and 0.3 percent were higher than 10 mg/m3. Detectable residues were mainly atrazine from the downstream sampling sites. Residues usually peaked during June.

The contamination of Lake Superior with amphibole gangue minerals

Iron ore called taconite is mined in the Biwabik Iron Formation in the Eastern Mesabi region of the Mesabi Range, in eastern Minnesota. After mining, ore is shipped to Silver Bay, Minnnesota for processing and wet magnetic extraction. Tailings from the process are dumped, as a slurry, into a man-made containment delta constructed in Lake Superior. Submicroscopic amphibole fibers and/or cleavage fragments, a component of the gangue, apparently escape from the delta at Silver Bay, and enter Lake Superior. These particles contaiminate the potable water supplies of municipalities drawing directly from the lake. One of the gangue minerals is the amphibole grunerite, whose asbestiform variety is called amosite. Major emphasis of this study was directed at identification of submicroscopic particle pollutants, based on morphology, structure and chemical composition. Quantitative determination of fibrous amphibole phases, present in a range of water samples, was undertaken. Transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and an electron microprobe technique was used for identification and enumeration and this information was compared with data sets determined from standards. Grunerite fiber and/or acicular cleavage fragments, in some instances indistinguishable from asbestiform grunerite, are present in the tailings, lake water and drinking water of a number of municipalities, a result of contamination of the lake at the Silver Bay milling operation. This amphibole is found in drinking water in concentrations which range from 0.6 to 2.8 X 10(6) fiber/liter. The risk to health, associated with direct ingestion of grunerite fiber is unknown and is extrapolated from the asbestiform grunerite (amosite) data base. The biological activity of other fibrous amphiboles observed, unrelated to any asbestiform silicate variety, is presently unknown and warrants investigation.

Evaluation of Amberlite XAD-2 as the extractant for carbamate insecticides from natural water

A rapid and sensitive analytical technique to quantify carbamate insecticides at nanogram levels is reported using resin column and sorption, and desorption followed by N-P gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) analysis. The carbamates were extracted from natural water by percolation through a column of Amberlite XAD-2, followed by elution with ethyl acetate. The carbamate residues were directly analyzed by GLC with a Tracor Model 702 N-P detector. The recoveries for several carbamates including aminocarb, mexacarbate, carbaryl, propoxur, carbofuran, pirimicarb and methiocarb were from 86 to 108% at 1.0 and 0.01 ppm levels. Only 41 to 58% was recovered for methomyl. The extraction efficiency of Amberlite XAD-2 was pH-dependent as indicated in the extraction of aminocarb. More than 90% of the added aminocarb was recovered from phosphate buffer by the described method at pH 5.0 to 7.5 at 5.0 and 0.5 ppm levels.

Environmental lead and children: the Omaha study

Blood lead (Pb B) was determined in 1232 samples from 831 children in Omaha and correlated with air lead (Pb A) concentrations of 0.02-1.69 microgram/m3 from 1971 to 1977. A bivariate equation for ages 6-18 yr based on these data predicts an increase in Pb B of 1.4 microgram/dl as Pb A increases from 1 to 2 microgram/m3. Pb B increases 7 microgram/dl as the mean values for soil and house dust Pb increase from 100 to 750 microgram/g. Multiple regression analysis shows that the combined effects of air, soil, and house dust Pb account for 21% of the variance of Pb B, with a high intercorrelation of all 3 variables. Since the variance of repeat sampling in individuals accounted for 38% of the total variance of Pb B, approximately 40% is unexplained and requires measurement of Pb from dietary and other sources.

[Bichromate oxidizability as a measure of the quantitative amount of organic impurities in regenerated water]

Experiments have been carried out to study permanganate and bichromate oxidation of chemicals that may contaminate reclained water, initial and intermediate products of reclamation. Permanganate oxidability can be used as a qualitative indicator of water contamination with readily oxidizable admixtures only. Bichromate oxidability can be employed as a quantitative indicator of the total content of organic admixtures, provided that oxidation is carried out in a certain way. For the water reclaimed from the atmospheric condensate the following correlation between bichromate oxidability and the concentration of admixtures has been established: 1 mg O2 consumed corresponds approximately to 0.66 mg of organic admixtures in water.

Residues of polychlorinated biphenyls and DDT in water and sediment of the St. Lucie Estuary, Florida, 1977

sigma DDT residues in the St. Lucie River bottom sediments increased after Lake Okeechobee water was discharged through the St. Lucie Canal into the area. sigma DDT levels were highest in sediment samples from the Palm City area, ranging from 1.8 ppb to 6.15 ppb. Sediment samples from the A1A Highway Bridge area contained 1.6-6.8 ppb Aroclor 1254. Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and sigma DDT in sediment samples from the junction of the St. Lucie and Indian Rivers were not detectable. Surface water samples from the estuary did not show any detectable DDT or PCB residues.

Gas-liquid chromatographics determination of Bayer 73 in fish, aquatic invertebrates, mud, and water

A gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) method is described for determining residues of Bayer 73 (2-aminoethanol salt of 2',5-dichloro-4'-nitrosalicylanilide) in fish muscle, aquatic invertebrates, mud, and water by analyzing for 2-chloro-4-nitroaniline (CNA), a hydrolysis product of Bayer 73. Bayer 73 residues are extracted from fish muscle tissue, invertebrates, and mud with acetone-formic acid (98+2), and partitioned from water samples with chloroform. After sample cleanup by solvent and acid-base partitioning, the concentrated extract is hydrolyzed with 2N NaOH and H2O2 for 10 min at 95 degrees C. The CNA is then partitioned into hexane-ethyl ether (7+3) and determined by electron capture GLC. Average recoveries were 88% for fish, 82% for invertebrates, 82% for mud, and 98% for water at 3 or more fortification levels.

Sources and extent of pollution

Before the sources and extent of pollution can be identified a definition of pollutants has to be agreed. The degree of disruption of natural cycles in the global ecosystem in terms of residence times and assimilation capacities must be assessed as a prerequisite of any system of control. The sources of man-made and naturally occurring chemicals that fall into this definition can be categorized and these are presented for reference. Specific examples of these categories are discussed in detail, e.g. sulphur dioxide, polychlorinated biphenyls and radioactive waste. Their distribution and dilution in the environment are governed by fluid mixing mechanisms. These can be modelled to allow prediction of effects at specific points taking into account disappearance by decay, chemical reaction and deposition. Reappearance through pathways which involve accumulation and remobilization can only be predicted when a complete scientific understanding of the mechanism has been established.

Pollution of the sea and its effects

Marine pollution has been studied under the following groupings of effects; harm to living resources, hazards to human health, reduction of amenities and interference with other users of the sea. This paper is concerned mainly with the first two categories and their interrelation. Apart from certain seabirds affected by oil, the major stocks of marine animals show no evidence of reduction by pollution. Pollution effects are generally insignificant in relation to other factors governing reproductive success, survival, growth and population size. Even in the North Sea, which has received a greatly increased pollution load during the last three decades, both total production of fish and catch per unit of effort (a measure of abundance) of cod, haddock and plaice increased during the 20 years 1950--69. Very recent decreases have been due to over-exploitation but, except in certain estuaries and immediate coastal waters, direct damage by pollution to marine populations and ecosystems is not evident. Pollution effects can, however, be detected by chemical analysis. The paper examines human health risks arising in the marine environment, particularly from contaminated seafood, especially in relation to sewage pollution, metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead, synthetic organic substances and oil.

Levels of benzo(a)pyrene in oil shale industry wastes, some bodies of water in the Estonian S.S.R. and in water organisms

Data on the content of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) in oil shale industry wastewater, the effectiveness of various effluent treatment processes (evaporation, extraction with butyl acetate, trickling filters, aeration tanks) in reducing the level of BP in oil shale wastewater, the level of BP in various bodies of water of Estonia, and in fish and other water organisms are reviewed. The quantitative determination of BP in concentrated diethyl ether extracts of water samples was carried out by ultraviolet and spectroluminescence procedures by use of the quasi-linear spectra at -196 degrees C in solid paraffins. It has been found that oil shale industry wastewater contains large amounts of BP. The most efficient purification process for removing the BP in oil shale industry phenol water is extraction with butyl acetate. The level of BP in the rivers of the oil shale industry area is comparatively higher than in other bodies of water of the Republic. The concentration of BP in the lakes of the Estonian S.S.R. is on the whole insignificant. Even the maximum concentration found in our lakes is as a rule less than the safety limit for BP in bodies of water (0.005 microgram/l). During water is treated at the waterworks. The effectiveness of the water treatment in reducing the level of BP varies from 11 to 88%. Filtration was found to be the most effective treatment. About 20 samples of fish from nine bodies of water in Estonia have been analyzed for content of BP. The average content of BP in the muscular tissue of various species of fish is as a rule less than 1 microgram/kg. There is no significant difference in the concentration of BP in sea and freshwater fish. There is no important difference in the content of BP in the organs of various fish. Fat fish contain more BP than lean ones. The weight (age) of fish does not influence the content of BP in the muscular tissue of fish.

Organochlorine residues in fish, water, and sediment of American Falls Reservoir, Idaho, 1974

Organochlorine residues of TDE, DDE, and PCBs as high as 1.96, 2.79, and 28.74 microgram/kg, respectively, have been found in sediments of American Falls Reservoir, Idaho. Residues of TDE, DDE, and dieldrin in the flesh of sport fish were as high as 52.3, 67.2, and 160.4 microgram/kg, respectively. Maximum organochlorine residue levels found in sucker taken in the commercial fishery were 1.1 mg PCBs/kg, 781.7 microgram TDE/kg, and 82.1 microgram DDE/kg.

Mercury, arsenic, and cadmium in fish, water, and sediment of American Falls Reservoir, Idaho, 1974

Mercury and cadmium were found in fish, water, and sediment of American Falls Reservoir (AFR), Idaho. Mercury and cadmium levels in some fish exceeded human health standards set by the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and the World Health Organization. Analyses performed on the flesh of rainbow trout showed mercury residues of up to 1.20 mg/kg, which were higher than residues previously reported in trout collected in 1970 and 1971 from AFR. Cadmium residue levels were as high as 0.80 mg/kg. Although arsenic was found in reservoir sediment at levels of 1.36-2.40 mg/kg, it was not detected in fish.

PCB removal from the Duwamish River estuary: implications to the management alternative for the Hudson River PCB cleanup

The results of the Duwamish River PCB cleanup and recovery project are discussed as a basis for comparison in selecting potential management alternatives for removing PCB residues in the Hudson River. Application of the Pneuma dredge system at the Duwamish River spill site removed approximately 92% of the PCBs spilled. No significant changes in the PCB load of suspended matter and water column were observed. These results suggest that a carefully planned dredge/disposal operation can be effective in minimizing environmental impacts in the Hudson River. On the basis of observations of the Duwamish case, the existing baseline data on the distribution of PCBs in the Hudson River, and the removal alternatives and associated environmental tradeoffs, hot spot dredging is recommended as the best practical alternative.

[Preconcentration of trace chalcophile elements by a zincon--loaded resin and its application to neutron activation analysis (author's transl)]

A chelating agent-loaded resin consisting of an anion exchange resin and zincon which has widely been employed as a specific reagent for zinc(II) and copper(II) in spectrophotometry was prepared. The adsorption behavior of some chalcophile elements was studied in detail, with respect to pH, flow rate and exchange capacity. From the results, it was confirmed that the zincon-loaded resin reacts selectively with copper(II), zinc(II), mercury(II) and lead(II) at lower pH region, and the above reaction is stoichiometric as in the case of the reaction of zincon with metal ions in aqueous solution. Furthermore, the zincon-loaded resin was applied to the selective concentration of trace amounts of chalcophile elements in natural water samples prior to neutron activation analysis. Water samples taken from the Watarase River were filtered and the pH of each filtrate was adjusted to ca. 5.5. After preconcentration was made by the column method (zincon-loaded resin: 2 x 10-4 mol/g resin, 1.0 g, 7 mm phi x 35 mm), the resin in the column was washed and dried in a desiccator. The standard material was also prepared according to the above mentioned scheme. The sample and the standard materials packed in polyethylene vials were irradiated for 40 min by a neutron flux of 5 x 10(13 n.cm-2.sec-1 in the JRR-4 of the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute. After cooling the materials, activity measurements were made. The results were 53 ppb for copper, 0.25 ppb for mercury.

[Organic micropollution of drinking water]

This work is about organic micropollution of waters sampled at the flowing in and out of three treatment stations. Micropollutants are obtained by chloroformic extraction. It is shown that the extracts have biological effects which can be measured by in vitro and in vivo assays. The treatments reduce the total amount of extractible substances but they induce modifications in their chemical composition and their biological activity. These observations allow to precise how the problem of an eventual health effect of organic micropollution could be approached.

Fracturing dialysis osteodystrophy and dialysis encephalopathy. An epidemiological survey

A survey of 1293 patients in eighteen dialysis centres in Great Britain showed a highly significant rank correlation of the incidence of both fracturing dialysis osteodystrophy (osteomalacic dialysis osteodystrophy) and dialysis encephalopathy with the aluminium content of water used to prepare dialysate.

Trenbolone acetate and trenbolone: trace analysis in animal chow, wastewater and human urine by high pressure liquid chromatography and electron capture gas chromatography

Analytical methodology is described for determining residues of the synthetic anabolic steroid trenbolone acetate (TBA) and its hydrolysis product trenbolone (TBOH) in admixture in animal chow, human urine, and wastewater. Benzene extracts of the substrates are subjected to liquid-liquid partitioning, further cleanup on a column of silica gel, and direct analysis by high pressure liquid chromotography or derivatization with pentafluoropropionic anhydride and analysis by electron capture gas chromatography. Satisfactory recoveries were obtained with both compounds from all three substrates. Residue levels of TBA and TBOH as low as 0.32 and 0.04 ppm, respectively, could be detected in chow; about 0.6 ppb of each compound could be detected in urine and wastewater. Thin layer chromatographic behavior of the two compounds in 7 solvent systems and other ancillary analytical data are also presented.

Mutagenicity of resin acids identified in pulp and paper mill effluents using the Salmonella/mammalian-microsome assay

Ten resin acids which have been identified as constituents of pulp and paper mill effluents have been examined for potential mutagenicity in the Salmonella/mammalian-microsome assay. Only neoabietic acid has been found to be mutagenic. Neoabietic acid showed dose-related increases in mutagenicity in strains TA1535, TA100, TA1538, and TA98, but not in strain TA1537. Metabolic activation with a preparation of Aroclor 1254-induced liver homogenate (S9) slightly reduced the mutagenic responses. Negative responses were found for abietic acid, dehydroabietic acid, levopimaric acid, 7-oxodehydroabietic acid, monochlorodehydroabietic acid, dichlorodehydroabietic acid, pimaric acid, isopimaric acid, and sandaracopimaric acid.

Mutagenicity of organic extracts from Canadian drinking water in the Salmonella/mammalian-microsome assay

Organic extracts of chlorinated Ontario drinking water samples have been found to induce mutation and lethality in the Salmonella/mammalian-microsome histadine reversion assay. Collections of water were made at water treatment plants in five municipalities in June 1978. To determine the reproducibility of the positive mutagenic effects found, a second sampling at the same plants was performed in September 1978. Preparation of extracts involved passing 200 liter samples through XAD-2 resin columns which were eluted with a mixture of hexane and acetone, and the eluent was evaporated to dryness. For those extracts with sufficient organic matter, dose-related increases in mutagenicity were observed. Extracts of untreated water from a river and a well were weakly mutagenic.

Gas-liquid chromatographic and mass spectrometric indentification of chlorinated trifluorotoluene residues in Niagara River fish

Several unknown halogenated compounds were detected in Niagara River fish using a method similar to the AOAC multiresidue method for chlorinated pesticides in high-moisture foods. From gas-liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GLC/MS) data and GLC retention times on 3 columns, 7 of the compounds were identified as 4-chloro-alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluorotoluene (0.17--2.0 ppm), 2-chloro-alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluorotoluene (0.002--0.1 ppm), 3,4-dichloro-alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluorotoluene (0.02--0.28 ppm), 2,4-dichloro-alpha,alpha-alpha-trifluorotoluene (0.02--0.17) ppm), 2,3-dichloro-alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluorotoluene (trace-0.005 ppm), 2,6-dichlorotoluene (not quantitated), and 2,4,5-trichlorotoluene (0.31 ppm was found in the only sample quantitated). Other isomers of tri- and tetrachloro-alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluorotoluene and di-,tri-, and tetrachlorotoluene were also present in these samples. Recoveries of the specific chlorinated trifluorotoluenes identified in these samples ranged from 86 to 108%.

Bioaccumulation and detection of trace levels of cadmium in aquatic systems by Eichhornia crassipes

The water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) may be used as a sensitive biological indicator for continuously monitoring trace quantities of toxic heavy metals in aquatic systems. A river water system polluted with cadmium was simulated while other factors of temperature, day-night cycle, water quality, and light intensity remained constant. When the water hyacinth is maintained in river water containing 0.001 mg/l. of cadmium chloride, the plant's root system will concentrate this element at an average rate of 0.9, 1.4, and 3.0 mug Cd/g root dry weight after 24, 48, and 72 hr exposure periods, respectively. At a higher cadmium concentration of 0.01 mg/l., cadmium was concentrated in the roots much faster to levels of 6.8, 13.6, and 39.1 mug/g root after 4, 8, and 24 hr exposure periods, respectively. At initial concentrations of 0.05 mg/l. cadmium, the roots contained 29.5, 48.8, and 156 mug/g root following 4, 8, and 24 hr exposure periods, respectively. During these same time intervals, the water hyacinth sorbed 56.7, 153, and 281 mug/g root when the initial cadmium concentration was increased to 0.10 mg/l. The water hyacinth tops can also assist in the monitoring process when cadmium contamination levels are 0.10 mg/l. and greater. At this initial cadmium concentration, cadmium is translocated into the tops. After 8 hr, the tops averaged 1.1 mug/g top. After 24 hr, this concentration was increased to 6.1 mug/g top.

Screening aquatic ecosystems for mutagens with fern bioassays

Recent researches on the royal fern, Osmunda regalis, have documented a high incidence of post-zygotic mutational damage in a population growing in a river heavily polluted with paper processing wastes, whereas genetic studies of nearby populations in nonpolluted environments failed to detect mutational damage. Intensive genetic and cytogenetic studies of mutation in O. regalis indicates that natural populations of homosporous ferns may be useful in situ bioassay systems for monitoring the presence of mutagens in aquatic ecosystems. Since these organisms are long-lived perennials with an ontogenetic system which stores mutational damage, they can be manipulated to give an integrated estimate of mutational damage for specified blocks of time (in units of years). Thus, the fern bioassay may be an inexpensive means of detecting both chronic low dose and episodic high dose inputs of mutagenic pollutants into aquatic ecosystems. The fern mutagen bioassay is based upon the detection of numerous categories of post-zygotic mutation load in natural fern populations. The frequency of sporophytic and embryonic lethals, leaf or root mutations, auxotrophic gametophytic mutations as well as numerous phenotypic alterations of gametophyte morphology can be routinely detected and quantified. In addition, various two-break chromosome aberrations (paracentric inversions, reciprocal translocations and ring chromosomes) can be readily screened for in the spore mother cells of many homosporous ferns.

Increased lead absorption in children of workers in a lead storage battery plant

Exposure to toxic materials originating in the workplace has been recognized in families of workers in several industries. However, to date this problem has not been studied in the storage battery production industry. Twenty-seven one- to six-year-old children of 22 workers at a storage battery plant at high risk of exposure to lead oxide were compared with 32 one- to six-year-old children in 22 neighborhood control families for evidence of increased lead absorption. Workers' children had significantly higher blood lead (p less than 0.001) and erythrocyte protoporphyrin (p less than 0.003) values than control children. Household exposures to lead in paint and water were similar for the two groups, but workers' homes had significantly higher concentrations of lead in dust (p less than 0.001). It is postulated that lead is brought home on the skin, hair and clothing of the workers and that their children are ingesting or inhaling the lead in household dust. This is the first report of increased lead absorption in children of workers in this industry.

Determination of trace organic impurities in water using thermal desorption from XAD resin

A small water sample (20 to 250 ml) is passed through a small tube containing XAD-4 resin; this effectively retains the organic impurities present in the water. This tube is connected to the permanent apparatus and the sorbed organics are thermally transferred to a small Tenex pre-column while the water vapor is vented. The pre-column is closed off, preheated to 275--280 degrees C, and then a valve is opened to plug-inject the vaporized sample into a gas chromatography. The procedure works well for a variety of model organic compounds added to the water and can be used for the analysis of actual water samples.

Study of water treatment effects on organic volatiles in drinking water

Volatile organics were determined during all stages of the water treatment process in a municipal water works. Analytical parameters for a quantitative procedure were investigated. The method used allows simultaneous determination of both halogenated and non-halogenated purgeable organics. Approximately 70 substances were identified by gas chromatography--mass spectrometry with capillary columns. Well water contained considerable quantities of aliphatic and aromatic substances. Halocarbons were formed during both steps of a double chlorination procedure, but the largest quantity was generated during the first step. Only tetrachloroethylene was present in untreated surface water in significant quantities. Most hydrocarbons were carried through the treatment process from the raw water to the finished water with little change in concentration.