Characteristics and Sonophotocatalytic Activity of Natural Sphalerite under Ultrasonic (1.7 MHz) and UVA LED (365 nm) Irradiation.

Naturally occurring sono- and photoactive minerals, which are abundant on Earth, represent an attractive alternative to the synthesized sonophotocatalysts as cost-effective materials for water and wastewater treatment. This study focuses on characterizing and evaluating the sonophotocatalytic activity of natural sphalerite (NatS) from Dovatka deposit (Siberia) under high-frequency ultrasonic (US, 1.7 MHz) and ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UVA LED, 365 nm) irradiation towards degradation of 4-chlorophenol as a model organic pollutant.

Dual-wavelength light radiation for synergistic water disinfection.

Development of the narrow-band mercury-free light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) and excilamps, has stimulated research on inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms by dual-wavelength light radiation. To date, dual-wavelength light radiation has emerged as an advanced tool for enhancing microbial inactivation in water in view of potential synergistic effect. This is the first review that aims at elucidating its mechanisms under dual-wavelength light exposure and surveying a body of related literature in terms of yes-or-no synergy.

Dual-frequency ultrasound: Strengths and shortcomings to water treatment and disinfection.

Since the early 2000s, dual-frequency ultrasound (DFUS) has received much attention for synergistically enhanced elimination of organic pollutants and pathogenic microorganisms from water. In the present review, we have surveyed recent developments in acoustic physics to elucidate the mechanism of synergistic effect under exposure of aqueous media to DFUS. Briefly, the nonlinear dynamics of microbubbles upon DFUS exposure produces additional frequencies, such as harmonics, subharmonics, ultraharmonics and combination frequencies.

Review on low- and high-frequency sonolytic, sonophotolytic and sonophotochemical processes for inactivating pathogenic microorganisms in aqueous media.

Ultraviolet and ultrasound-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are gaining considerable research attention for water treatment and disinfection. Compared to low-frequency ultrasound (LFUS, <100 kHz), high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS, >100 kHz and MHz range) for water disinfection remains much less investigated. The present review aims at surveying and discussing literature data on microbial inactivation in non-food aqueous media using HFUS alone and with AOPs.

Simultaneous atrazine degradation and E. coli inactivation by UV/SO/Fe process under KrCl excilamp (222 nm) irradiation.

This study is the first to reveal that the iron-catalyzed photo-activation of persulfate (UV/PS/Fesystem) under mercury-free KrCl excilamp irradiation (222 nm) is capable of simultaneous degradation of an organic pollutant and inactivation of a microorganism in aqueous media using the herbicide atrazine (ATZ) and E. coli as model contaminants, respectively. Deionized water, natural water and wastewater effluents, contaminated with 4 mg/L ATZ and/or 10 CFU/mL E.

Recent advances in application of UV light-emitting diodes for degrading organic pollutants in water through advanced oxidation processes: A review.

Over the last decade, ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs) have attracted considerable attention as alternative mercury-free UV sources for water treatment purposes. This review is a comprehensive analysis of data reported in recent years (mostly, post 2014) on the application of UV LED-induced advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) to degrade organic pollutants, primarily dyes, phenols, pharmaceuticals, insecticides, estrogens and cyanotoxins, in aqueous media. Heterogeneous TiO-based photocatalysis in lab grade water using UVA LEDs is the most frequently applied method for treating organic contaminants.

Simultaneous atrazine degradation and E. coli inactivation by simulated solar photo-Fenton-like process using persulfate.

This work evaluated the feasibility of a photo-Fenton-like process using persulfate (PS) and ferrous iron (Fe) under simulated solar radiation for degrading the herbicide atrazine (ATZ, 6-Chloro-N-ethyl-N'-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) and inactivating E. coli. Milli Q water, lake water, and diluted wastewater effluents were spiked both simultaneously and separately with ATZ (4 mg/L) and E.

Solar-Enhanced Advanced Oxidation Processes for Water Treatment: Simultaneous Removal of Pathogens and Chemical Pollutants.

The review explores the feasibility of simultaneous removal of pathogens and chemical pollutants by solar-enhanced advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). The AOPs are based on in-situ generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), most notably hydroxyl radicals •OH, that are capable of destroying both pollutant molecules and pathogen cells. The review presents evidence of simultaneous removal of pathogens and chemical pollutants by photocatalytic processes, namely TiO2 photocatalysis and photo-Fenton.

Blood levels of polychlorinated biphenyls and their hydroxylated metabolites in Baikal seals (Pusa sibirica): emphasis on interspecies comparison, gender difference and association with blood thyroid hormone levels.

We have previously demonstrated that Baikal seals (Pusa sibirica) are still being exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and the population is at risk. In the present study, we measured the residue levels of PCBs and their hydroxylated metabolites (OH-PCBs) in the blood of Baikal seals and assessed the impact of OH-PCBs on the thyroid function. Blood concentrations of PCBs and OH-PCBs were in the range of 2.

Photocatalytic-based inactivation of E. coli by UV 282 nm XeBr Excilamp.

The impact of suspended TiO2 particles on the efficiency of UV inactivation of E. coli by XeBr excilamp (282 nm) was assessed using direct and integrating sphere spectroscopy for absorbance measurements in the calculations of UV doses. Complete disinfection (no quantifiable E.

Comparison of UV and UV/H2O2 treatments using excilamps for removal of monochlorophenols in the molecular and anionic form.

The efficiency of UV/H(2)O(2) treatment using KrCl (222 nm) and XeBr (282 nm) excilamps was examined for removal of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) and 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) from aqueous solution in the molecular form (pH 2 and un-adjusted pH) and anionic form (at pH 11). UV/H(2)O(2) treatment of 2- or 4-CP was initially carried out at un-adjusted pH with varying molar ratios of chlorophenol and H(2)O(2). The para-chlorobenzoic acid was used as a hydroxyl radical (•OH) probe compound.

Recent progress on application of UV excilamps for degradation of organic pollutants and microbial inactivation.

Excilamps as modern mercury-free sources of narrow-band UV radiation represent an attractive alternative in environmental applications. This review focuses on recent studies on the water and surface decontamination with excilamps by means of direct photolysis and advanced oxidation processes. To date, direct photolysis and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) such as UV/H(2)O(2), UV/Fenton and UV/O(3) have been applied for degradation of organic compounds (mainly, phenols, dyes and herbicides) in model aqueous solutions.

Integrative assessment of potential effects of dioxins and related compounds in wild Baikal seals (Pusa sibirica): application of microarray and biochemical analyses.

We have previously indicated that accumulation of chlorinated dioxins and related compounds (DRCs) induced cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1, 1A2 and 1B1 isozymes in the liver of wild Baikal seals (Pusa sibirica). Here we attempt to assess the potential effects of DRCs triggered by the induction of these CYP1 isozymes in this species, using an integrative approach, combining gene expression monitoring and biochemical assays. To screen genes that may potentially respond to the exposure of DRCs, we constructed a custom cDNA oligo array that can target mRNAs in Baikal seals, and monitored hepatic mRNA expression levels in the wild population.

Evaluation of relative potencies for in vitro transactivation of the baikal seal aryl hydrocarbon receptor by dioxin-like compounds.

To evaluate the sensitivity and responses to dioxins and related compounds (DRCs) via aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in Baikal seals (Pusa sibirica), we constructed an in vitro reporter gene assay system. Baikal seal AHR (BS AHR) expression plasmid and a reporter plasmid containing CYP1A1 promoter were transfected in COS-7 cells. The cells were treated with six representative congeners, and dose-dependent responses were obtained for all the congeners.

Accumulation features and temporal trends of PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs in Baikal seals (Pusa sibirica).

This study investigated the accumulation features and temporal trends of PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs) and non-dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs) in the blubber of Baikal seals collected in 1992 and 2005. DL-PCBs (480-3600ng/g) and NDL-PCBs (980-35,000ng/g) were dominant contaminants. Concentrations of PCDDs and PCBs in males were significantly higher than in females.

Contamination and effects of perfluorochemicals in Baikal seal (Pusa sibirica). 2. Molecular characterization, expression level, and transcriptional activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha.

To investigate the biological effects of perfluorochemicals (PFCs) and to identify biomarkers of exposure to PFCs, this study focused on the effects mediated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) in Baikal seals (Pusa sibirica). We cloned a full-length cDNA, encoding PPARalpha from the liver of Baikal seal, which has a deduced open reading frame of 468-amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 52.2 kDa.

Contamination and effects of perfluorochemicals in Baikal seal (Pusa sibirica). 1. Residue level, tissue distribution, and temporal trend.

Concentrations of perfluorochemicals (PFCs) including perfluoroalkylsulfonates (PFSAs) and perfluoroalkylcarboxylates (PFCAs) were determined in liver and serum of Baikal seals (Pusa sibirica) collected from Lake Baikal, Russia in 2005. Among the 10 PFC compounds measured, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA, 3.3-72 ng/g wet wt) concentrations were the highest in liver, followed by perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS, 2.

Degradation of chlorophenols in aqueous media using UV XeBr excilamp in a flow-through reactor.

2-Chlorophenol (2-CP), 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) at initial concentrations of 10, 20, 50 and 100mg l(-1) were degraded in aqueous media by direct UV photolysis using dielectric barrier discharge XeBr( *) excilamp (283nm) in a flow-through photoreactor. The pseudo-first order rate constants were highest and half-life times were lowest for 4-CP. The rates of photolysis under the experimental conditions increased in the order: 2-CP<2,4-DCP<4-CP.

Constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) as a potential sensing biomarker of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in aquatic mammal: molecular characterization, expression level, and ligand profiling in Baikal seal (Pusa sibirica).

To characterize the function of constitutive active/androstane receptor (CAR) in aquatic mammals, CAR complementary DNA (cDNA) was cloned from the liver of Baikal seal (Pusa sibirica) from Lake Baikal, Russia, and the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels in various tissues/organs of the wild population and the CAR ligand profiles were investigated. The seal CAR cDNA had an open reading frame of 1047 bp encoding 348 amino acids that revealed 74-84% amino acid identities with CARs from rodents and human. The mRNA expression profile of tissues/organs represented that Baikal seal CAR was predominantly expressed in the liver followed by heart and intestine.

Organohalogen compounds in human breast milk from Republic of Buryatia, Russia.

Human breast milk samples collected during 2003/04 in Buryatia, a Russian autonomous republic, were analyzed in order to assess human exposure to organohalogen compounds including organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). When compared with available worldwide data, levels of HCB (23-880 ng/g lipid wt.), PCBs (69-680 ng/g lipid wt.

Recent contamination by persistent organochlorines in Baikal seal (Phoca sibirica) from Lake Baikal, Russia.

Blubber samples of Baikal seals pups (Phoca sibirica) collected in 2001 and 2002 were analyzed for persistent organochlorines (OCs) such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), DDTs (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites), HCHs (hexachlorocyclohexane isomers), CHLs (chlordane related compounds), TCPMe [tris(4-chlorophenyl)methane] and TCPMOH [tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol]. The distribution pattern of OCs was in the following order: DDTs>PCBs>CHLs>HCHs>TCPMOH>TCPMe. Organochlorine concentrations and composition patterns in eight pup blubber samples (2002) analyzed in the present study were compared with the corresponding levels in juvenile Baikal seals from 1992 survey, and it was found that residue levels of OC compounds have declined during the 10 year period.