Linking PAHs concentration, risk to PAHs source shift in soil and water in epikarst spring systems, Southwest China.

A systematic assessment of the variations in the ecological risk of PAHs and the key emission sources controlling the variations is of great importance to human health and aquatic organisms. PAH concentrations, composition, source, and ecological risk in soils and water in two different periods (2010-2011 and 2019) of three typical epikarst springs in Southwest China were investigated. Results showed that PAH concentrations in soil and water have an overall downward trend (a reduction of 57 % and 93 %, respectively) in the past 10 years, which is consistent with the downward trend in the relative contribution rate of raw coal production (a 66 % reduction).

Microbial community structure characteristics among different karst aquifer systems, and its potential role in modifying hydraulic properties of karst aquifers.

Little is known about how microbial activity affects the hydraulic properties of karst aquifers. To explore the potential impacts of microbial activity on the hydraulic properties of karst aquifers, microbiological analysis, heat tracer, isotope (dissolved inorganic carbon isotope, δC) and aqueous geochemical analyses were conducted at six monitoring wells in Northern Guangdong Province, China. Greater hydraulic conductivity corresponded to a low temperature gradient to an extent; the temperature gradient in karst groundwater aquifers can reflect the degree of dissolution.

Matrix Stiffness Potentiates Stemness of Liver Cancer Stem Cells Possibly via the Yes-Associated Protein Signal.

A hepatocellular carcinoma tissue has mechanical heterogeneity, where the stiffness gradually increases from the core to the invasion front. Furthermore, there is evidence that stem cells from liver cancer (LCSCs) preferentially enrich the invasion front, exhibiting the stiffest modulus in the tumor. LCSCs have the features of stem/progenitor cells and play a vital part in liver cancer development.

Instability of optical phase synchronization between chaotic semiconductor lasers.

The instability of optical phase chaos synchronization between semiconductor lasers under master-slave open-loop configuration is investigated. The phase difference between the master and slave lasers is obtained and analyzed in experiment by heterodyne detection and Hilbert transform, and in simulation by solving the rate equations. The results show that the phase difference only maintains in a short duration time and then jumps to another value.

Curcumin Reduces Neuroinflammation and Improves the Impairments of Anesthetics on Learning and Memory by Regulating the Expression of miR-181a-5p.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the role of curcumin (Cur) in isoflurane (ISO)-induced learning and memory dysfunction in Sprague-Dawley rats and further elucidate the mechanism of the protective effect produced by Cur.

Methods: Rat models of cognitive impairment were established by inhaling 3% ISO. The Morris water maze test was used to assess the cognitive function of rats.

The distribution of liver cancer stem cells correlates with the mechanical heterogeneity of liver cancer tissue.

The survival of cancer stem cells is usually limited to a specific tumor microenvironment, and this microenvironment plays a vital role in the development of tumors. The mechanical properties of the microenvironment differ in different regions of solid tumors. However, in solid tumors, whether the distribution of cancer stem cells relates to the mechanical microenvironment of different regions is still unclear.

[Residual Characteristics and Health Assessment Analysis of OCPs and PCBs in Karst Groundwater].

Residual levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in karst groundwater in Nanshan Laolongdong were measured using a gas chromatograph equipped with a micro-Ni electron capture detector to determine the residual characteristics including concentration, distribution, and source of OCPs and PCBs. Results revealed that the total concentration range of OCPs was 34.8-623.

Characteristics and ecological risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil seepage water in karst terrains, southwest China.

Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils and soil seepage waters were analyzed along with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to investigate the ecological risks and factors controlling the subsurface transport of PAHs in karst terrain in southwest China. The concentrations of dissolved PAHs in soil seepage water increased with depth and the mean concentrations at a depth of 80 cm were relatively high (exceeding 1147 ng/L). PAH composition in soil seepage water was dominated by low molecular weight (LMW) PAHs, whereas those associated with soil matrix were dominated by high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs.

Vertical migration from surface soils to groundwater and source appointment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in epikarst spring systems, southwest China.

Understanding the transfer process of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the karst terrain is of great importance to their ecological risk assessments, however, the impact of the vertical transfer of the soil PAHs on the underground water is largely unknown in the karst system. Here, the vertical distribution and the seasonal variation of 16 PAHs in the soils and the water of 4 epikarst spring catchments in Southwest China were investigated. The total concentration of the PAHs ranged within 61-3285 ng g in the soils, and 341-4969 ng L in the spring water.

Transport of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a highly vulnerable karst underground river system of southwest China.

The concentration and fluxes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in a karst underground river system in southwest China. Groundwater, particles, and sediments from underground river, topsoil, and surface water were monitored, allowing establishment of a conceptual model of PAH transport at the watershed scale. The results showed that PAHs could be transported from the surface to the subsurface through two migration pathways, which were slow-flowing water in the karst fissure and fast-flowing water in conduits.

[Impact of Urbanization on the Sources of Dissolved -alkane in Underground River].

To investigate the influence of urbanization on the component features of dissolved -alkanes (D-ALK) in the underground river in the dry season, water samples were collected respectively at the outlet of the two underground rivers. Components of D-ALK in these samples were quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that the distribution of D-ALK carbon number at the two sites ranged from nC to nC in dry season.

[Distribution Characteristics and Source Identification of Organochlorine Pesticides in the Karst Groundwater System].

Chongqing Laolongdong and Qingmuguan karst underground rivers were selected as the research objects, and 21 kinds of OCPs in those two underground rivers were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC-μECD). The results showed that, '-DDE,'-DDE, '-DDD were not detected in Nanshan and Qingmuguan underground rivers; '-DDT and dieldrin were not detected in Qingmugang; but the detection rate of the rest of the OCPs in those two underground rivers was as high as 100%. HCHs and ALDs were the most dominant compounds in Laolongdong underground river, whereas HCHs and methoxychlor were the most dominant compounds in Qingmuguan.

[Sources and Variation Characteristics of Dissolved Lipid Biomarkers in a Typical Karst Underground River].

Water samples in Qingmuguan underground river were collected to determine the concentration of dissolved lipids, and their sources, composition and migration characteristics in underground river were studied. The results were obtained as follows. (1) The average content of various dissolved lipids decreased with increasing distance of migration in Qingmuguan underground river, and the most distinctive was dissolved saturated straight chain fatty acids with its content decreasing by about 81.

[Impacts of Land Use on the Source of Dissolved Fatty Acids in Epikarst Spring During Rainy Season].

Fatty acids were quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Dissolved fatty acids were collected from Nanchuan epikarst spring. The results of BQ, LQ, HQ showed that the average contents of fatty acids were 14870, 12912 and 8801 ng·L from May to July, respectively, and followed the order of SFA> MUFA> BrFA> PUFA.

[Fecal Contamination in Laolongdong Underground River as Measured by the Sterol Biomarkers].

To investigate whether the underground river was polluted or not, and trace the source of fecal sterols, the particulate water samples were collected from typical karst underground river named Laolongdong in Nan'an District, Chongqing Municipality in October, 2014, January, March and May, 2015. Ten prior steroids in the underground river were quantitatively analyzed by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The results showed ten steroids including 9 sterols and 1 ketone were detected.

[Distribution Characteristics and Source Identification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Fatty Acids in Water of Karst Underground River].

In order to explore the contents, composition, distribution characteristics, sources and pollution level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) and fatty acids in water of Qingmuguan karst underground river in Chongqing, water samples were respectively collected from underground river in rainy season and dry season, 2013 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, fatty acids of the water samples were quantitatively analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer(GC-MS). The results showed that the contents of PAHs and fatty acids in water of Qingmuguan karst underground river ranged from 77.3 to 702ng·L and 3302 to 45254 ng·L, respectively.

[Distribution Characteristics and Source Identification of Organochlorine Pesticides in Surface Soil in Karst Underground River Basin].

Six typical surface soil samples were taken in Laolongdong underground river basin, and 20 OCPs were analyzed by gas chromatography equipped with micro-⁶³Ni electron capture detector. The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution, composition and source of organochlorine pesticides ( OCPs) in the surface soil of Laolongdong underground river basin, and to further evaluate the pollution level. The results showed that 20 OCPs were inordinately detected in the soil samples and the detection rate of 16 OCPs (except for p,p'-DDE, cis-Chlordane, trans-Chlordane, dieldrin) was 100%.

[Variation Characteristics and Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Karst Subterranean River During Rainfall Events].

The water samples were continuously collected at the outlet of Nanshan Laolongdong subterranean river basin, which is located in Chongqing, during the rainfall event in June 2014. Sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water were quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The objectives of this study were to reveal the variation characteristics and sources of PAH16 in karst subterranean river during the rainfall event.

[Water-Sediment Partition of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Karst Underground River].

Based on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) field data of dissolved phase and sediment phase, partition coefficient K(p) in sediment-water interface from Laolongdong underground river was obtained. The concentration of PAHs in water and sediment and partition coefficient K(p) in sediment-water interface were studied. The results showed PAHs concentrations were 81.

[Sources, Migration and Conversion of Dissolved Sterols in Qingmuguan Underground River].

Water samples were collected from the Qinmuguan underground river from July to November in 2013. By gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS), dissolved sterols were quantitatively analyzed. The results show that the average variation content of dissolved sterols ranges from 415 to 629 ng x L(-1), with the increasing migration distance of dissolved sterols in underground river, its contents are decreased.

Simulation of the transfer and fate of γ-HCH in epikarst system.

The thin surface soil layer and karst features in karst terrains lead to poor filtration, poor pre-purification and rapid infiltration, so that karst groundwater systems are particularly vulnerable to contamination. Due to its extensive use in past, gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH) is ubiquitous in various environmental compartments of China, even though it has been prohibited since 1984. However, very little is known about its movement and behavior in special karst system.

[Sources, Migration and Conversion of Dissolved Alkanes, Dissolved Fatty Acids in a Karst Underground River Water, in Chongqing Area].

Dissolved alkanes and dissolved fatty acids were collected from Qingmuguan underground river in July, October 2013. By gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS), alkanes and fatty acids were quantitatively analyzed. The results showed that average contents of alkanes and fatty acids were 1 354 ng.

[Comparison Study of the Alkanes in Different Aquifer Medium Under Qingmuguan Underground System].

Dissolved alkanes were collected from Dalv spring and Jiangjia spring from July to November, 2013, and were quantitatively analyzed by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The results show that the total content of dissolved alkanes in Dalv spring is 175-3279 ng x L(-1), with a mean value of 1011 ng x L(-1). In Jiangjia spring, the total content of dissolved alkanes is 282-775 ng x L(-1), with a mean value of 527 ng x L(-1).

[Vertical Migration Characteristics of Organochlorine Pesticides in Overlying Soil in Karst Terranes and Its Impact on Groundwater].

Five soil profiles and four typical epikarst springs were selected in Nanchuan District, Chongqing Municipality as objects of the study on vertical migration of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the soils and its impact on groundwater. OCPs in soil and epikarst spring water samples were quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography. The results showed that HCHs and DDTs were detected in all the 5 soil profiles, varying in the range of 0.

[Altitudinal Gradient Distribution and Source Analysis of PAHs Content of Topsoil in Jinfo Mountain, Chongqing].

The condensation effect has made high mountains the storage vault of durable organic pollutants. This research measured the content and constitutes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 10 topsoil samples collected at different altitudes from the south slope of Chongqing Jinfo Mountain by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC/MC). And the pollution source of PAHs was analyzed by ratio method and principal component regression.