Toxic

Recent blog posts, bibliography. Ecology, bioscience, water quality. Available in Internet online. http://5bio5.blogspot.com/2012/08/environmental-science-recent-blog-posts.html

Abstract: A fundamental concept is proposed of aquatic ecosystem as a bioreactor that carries out the function of water purification in natural water bodies and streams. The ecosystem as a bioreactor has the following characteristic attributes: (1) it is a large-scale (large-volume) bioreactor; (2) it is a diversified (in terms of the number of taxa and the scope of functional activities) bioreactor; (3) it possesses a broad range of biocatalytic (chemical-transforming and degrading) capabilities. New experimental data on xenobiotics-induced inhibition of the functioning of the molluscs Unio tumidus, U. pictorum, M. galloprovincialis and Limnaea stagnalis emphasize the potential ecological hazard from sublethal concentrations of pollutants (including those exemplified by synthetic surfactants and detergents).

another closely related publication:
Ostroumov S. A. An aquatic ecosystem: a large-scale diversified bioreactor with a water self-purification function. - Doklady Biological Sciences, 2000. Vol. 374, P. 514-516. scribd.com/doc/49065542; New facet of the essence and identity of ecosystem: it has attributes of a bioreactor; http://www.scribd.com/doc/49069997;

Publications by the same author. Main Results.
Публикации того же автора. Основные результаты: http://www.scribd.com/doc/59437439/;

On the author. Об авторе (С.А.О.):
http://www.famous-scientists.ru/3732/;

Paramecium bursaria is an unicellular organism that lives widely in fresh water environments such as rivers and ponds. Recent studies have suggested that in vivo cellular robotics using the cells of P. bursaria as micro-machines controllable under electrical and optical stimuli, has a variety of engineering applications such as transport of micro-sized particles in the capillary systems. The present study aimed to test if the swimming cells of P. bursaria, implementable in capillaries or on chips, are applicable for detection of metal ions. For model assays, rare earth elements (REEs) were chosen as target chemicals. In P. bursaria, LC 50 values for REE ions ranged between 2.0 and 62.7 µM. Among them, Sc was shown to be most toxic. In addition to the lethal impacts of REE ions, most of REE ions at sub-lethal concentrations at around 10-30 µM, showed inhibitory action against the motility of the cells during the electrically forced motility known as galvanotaxisis. In conclusion, in the non-lethal ranges of REE concentration, swimming cells of P. bursaria report the presence of REE ions, by lowering the motility.

The first discovery of how negative effects of pollutants (surfactants) on invertebrate animals (filter-feeders) may lead to a change (increase) in abundance of plankton organisms in water; the first data on how the effects of polluting chemicals on invertebrate animals (filter-feeders) may produce an imbalance in the set of the factors controlling the populations of plankton.

• Detailed abstract: http://scipeople.ru/publication/67505/;
• Full text of the paper free: scribd.com/doc/49065596;
• Text of the paper (without tables) with an addendum: http://sites.google.com/site/1dbs379p341imbalance/


Main discoveries made by the same author:
Публикации того же автора. Основные результаты. Main Results: http://www.scribd.com/doc/59437439/;
On the author / Об авторе (С.А.О.):
http://www.famous-scientists.ru/3732/;

This is a first and unique monograph that reviews new environmental hazards from a previously underestimated class of chemicals, namely detergents and synthetic surfactants.

New facts on hazardous biological and toxic effects of surfactants and detergents;

The book was bought by the library of Harvard University and other leading universitites in U.S.A., Europe and other parts of the world.

A series of new methods and facts on bioassay of surfactants, detergents, pesticides, using plant seedlings, freshawater and marine bivalve mollusks, leeches, algae, bacteria;

Серия новых методик и фактов о биологическом и токсичном действии детергентов и поверхностно-активных веществ

FAQ (Frequently asked questions) on the book:. Biological Effects of Surfactants: http://www.scribd.com/doc/52630072/FAQ-1-bookBiol-Effe-Surfactants;

Frequently asked questions, part 2. [About the book:. Biological Effects of Surfactant: http://www.scribd.com/doc/46270956;
http://www.scribd.com/doc/52630298/FAQ2-Book-Bioeff-Surf-Part-2-Eng;

Abstract, Contents, Citation:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/59387598/Abst-book-Biol-eff; Biological Effects of Surfactants. CRC Press.Taylor&Francis; Boca Raton,London, NewYork,

Publications by the same author. Main Results.
Публикации того же автора. Основные результаты: http://www.scribd.com/doc/59437439/;

On the author. Об авторе (С.А.О.):
http://www.famous-scientists.ru/3732/;

Ostroumov’s Twitter URL: twitter.com/sergeiost
MOST CITED PUBLICATIONS: www.scribd.com/doc/58228788
Most viewed materials: www.scribd.com/doc/61435402
Papers: www.scribd.com/doc/63407123
DISCOVERIES: scribd.com/doc/61828106
Institutions that cited S.O.: scribd.com/doc/60225505
World-wide citing Dr. S.O.: scribd.com/doc/54504932
Discoveries: scribd.com/doc/59437439
Merit: scribd.com/doc/59927430

Tungsten is a widely used transition metal for which very limited information on environmental and toxicological effects is available. Of particular interest is the lack of information linking tungsten speciation and environmental effects. Tungsten anions may polymerize (depending upon concentration, pH, and aquatic geochemistry) in aquatic and soil systems. However, to this date, of all soluble tungstate species only monotungstates have been scrutinized to a fair extent in toxicological studies. The objective of this work is a comparative assessment of the acute toxicity of monotungstates (sodium tungstate, Na 2 WO 4) and polytungstates (sodium metatungstate, 3Na 2 WO 4 Á 9WO 3) to Poecilia reticulate. The experiments have been performed according to the OEDC protocols 203 and 204. LD50 values for 1– 14 days show that sodium metatungstate is significantly more toxic to fish than sodium tungstate. Based on LD50 (0.86–3.88 g L À 1 or 4.67–21.1 Â10 À 3 mol Na 2 WO 4 L À 1), sodium tungstate may be classified as a chemical of low toxicity to fish. Sodium metatungstate caused similar fish mortality to sodium tungstate when it was introduced in 55–80 times lower concentrations (in terms of mol L À 1) than sodium tungstate. LD50 values for sodium metatungstate range from 0.13 to 0.85 g W L À 1 or 5.69 to 38.71 Â10 À 5 mol 3Na 2 WO 4 Á 9WO 3 L À 1. Based on these values sodium metatungstate can be classified as a moderate toxic agent to fish.

Ostroumov S. A. Anthropogenic effects on the biota: towards a new system of principles and criteria for analysis of ecological hazards. Rivista di Biologia / Biology Forum. 2003. 96: 159-170. [ISSN 0035-
6050] www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12852181;
http://www.tilgher.it/(ekdo002s40etdh55stgyltvf)/index.aspx?lang=eng&tpr=4&act=abs&id=650;
In the paper, the author developed an innovative approach to assess the hazards from anthropogenic
impact on the biosphere. The author suggested to assess the man-made impacts (including effects of
pollutants and xenobiotics) on the biota according to the following four levels of disturbance in biological
and ecological systems: (1) the level of individual responses; (2) the level of aggregated responses of
groups of organisms; (3) the level of stability and integrity of the ecosystem; (4) the level of contributions
of the ecosystem to biospheric processes. On the basis of the author's experimental studies, an example is
given of how to apply the proposed approach and the system of criteria to the analysis of concrete
experimental data. To exemplify the efficiency of the proposed approach, it is shown how to use it to
analyze new data on effects of a synthetic surfactant on water filtering by bivalves. It is concluded that
the proposed approach will be helpful in better assessing environmental and ecological hazards from
anthropogenic effects on biota, including effects of man-made chemicals polluting ecosystems. The
following key issues were presented and analyzed in the paper: 1. The traditional approach to
classification of chemicals according to their environmental hazards. 2. A new approach to the analysis of
hazards of anthropogenic effects on the biota. 3. An example of applying the new approach to the analysis
of environmental and ecological hazards.
**
Citation:
The paper (Rivista di Biologia / Biology Forum. 2003. 96: 159-170) was cited by international experts,
e.g., in the paper: R. Grande ; S. Di Pietro; E. Di Campli; S. Di Bartolomeo; B. Filareto; L. Cellini. Biotoxicological
assays to test water and sediment quality. Journal of Environmental Science and Health,
Part A, Volume 42, Issue 1 2007 (January), pages 33 – 38 [Affiliation of the Authors: Rossella Grande a;
Stefania Di Pietro ab; Emanuela Di Campli a; Soraya Di Bartolomeo a; Barbara Filareto b; Luigina
Cellini a; here the letters a and b stand for the following institutions:
a Department of Biomedical Sciences, University “G. d'Annunzio,”, Chieti, Italy;
b Agency for the Protection of Environment, Pescara, Italy] DOI: 10.1080/10934520601015446;
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a768424372&db=all;
--------------------------------------------------------------------- Aquatic ecosystem as a
bioreactor: water purification and some other functions. - Rivista di Biologia /
Biology Forum. 2004. vol. 97 (1). p. 67-78.
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B589QnrA6gkoNGZlM2Y5MDYtODliYS00NzEzLWEzYzUtMDZiNmJlZDA4MWM2&s
ort=name&layout=list&num=50;
4Riv.Biol.97p39.ABSTRACTextended.Aquatic..Bioreactor.RTF
---------------------------------------------------------------------Ostroumov S.A., Dodson S.,
Hamilton D., Peterson S., Wetzel R.G. Medium-term and long-term priorities in
ecological studies // Rivista di Biologia / Biology Forum. 2003 (May). 96: 327-332.
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B589QnrA6gkoMmY2MDZkNDMtMWYxMi00YzUyLWFlNDYtOGY4YTY1MjczYTZm
&hl=en;
---------------------------------------------------------------------Some aspects of water filtering
activity of filter-feeders // Hydrobiologia. 2005. Vol. 542, No. 1. P. 275 – 286:
https://docs.google.com/leaf?
id=0B589QnrA6gkoZjE3MTAxN2YtMGUzZC00YTQyLWI3OGItNTlhNmM0OTEwMjg2&sort=name&layout=list&num=50;
---------------------------------------------------------------------On the Multifunctional Role of the
Biota in the Self-Purification of Aquatic Ecosystems // Russian Journal of Ecology,
Vol. 36, No. 6, 2005, pp. 414–420: https://docs.google.com/fileview?
id=0B589QnrA6gkoNDhmYWJiMWEtYzVhYS00MzRmLTk1ZmEtZDM5MTQzZDg3MTJj&hl=en;
------------------------------------------------------------------------annotation of the book:
Biological Effects of Surfactants:
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B589QnrA6gkoMDNjYzE1YmEtYjdmNC00NzBjLTk5ZDItMGU4OWZjZmNiYTY5&hl
=en;
---------------------------------------------------------------------Inhibition of mussel suspension
feeding by surfactants of three classes // Hydrobiologia. 2006. Vol. 556, No. 1.
Pages: 381 – 386. 3 Tables. Bibliogr. 37 refs [Coauthors: S.А.O., J. Widdows].
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B589QnrA6gkoNTc0ZmVkNDItNWExZC00MjcwLTljMzYtNjU0OWUxMDQzYjM2&s
ort=name&layout=list&num=50;
- - - - -
http://www.scribd.com/doc/45913695;
Ostroumov S.A. A new type of effect of potentially hazardous substances: uncouplers of pelagial–benthal
coupling. - Doklady Biological Sciences. 2002 (March). Vol. 383 (1-6): 127-130.
Publications by the same author. Main Results.
Публикации того же автора. Основные результаты: http://www.scribd.com/doc/59437439/;

On the author. Об авторе (С.А.О.):
Fulbright Award winner; more:
http://www.famous-scientists.ru/3732/;
http://www.scribd.com/doc/99555491/

There is a wealth of information about the nutritional and medicinal properties of honey. However, honey may contain compounds that may lead to toxicity. A compound not naturally present in honey, named 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), may be formed during the heating or preservation processes of honey. HMF has gained much interest, as it is commonly detected in honey samples, especially samples that have been stored for a long time. HMF is a compound that may be mutagenic, carcinogenic and cytotoxic. It has also been reported that honey can be contaminated with heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium. Honey produced from the nectar of Rhododendron ponticum contains alkaloids that can be poisonous to humans, while honey collected from Andromeda flowers contains grayanotoxins, which can cause paralysis of limbs in humans and eventually leads to death. In addition, Melicope ternata and Coriaria arborea from New Zealand produce toxic honey that can be fatal. There are reports that honey is not safe to be consumed when it is collected from Datura plants (from Mexico and Hungary), belladonna flowers and Hyoscamus niger plants (from Hungary), Serjania lethalis (from Brazil), Gelsemium sempervirens (from the American Southwest), Kalmia latifolia, Tripetalia paniculata and Ledum palustre. Although the symptoms of poisoning due to honey consumption may differ depending on the source of toxins, most common symptoms generally include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, headache, palpitations or even death. It has been suggested that honey should not be considered a completely safe food.

Various herbal products from Himalayan region may provide a huge source of supply in the domestic and international markets. In this study, the heavy metal load in various herbal drugs of the region was investigated. The studied toxic elements were present in the herbal drugs (0.2–8.34 mg/kg As, 0.11–0.48 mg/kg Cd, 2.5–6.0 mg/kg Pb). Zinc was found in the range 7–32 mg/kg and all the samples were free from mercury contamination.

Ostroumov, S. A.; Tret'yakova, A. N. Effect of environmental pollution with a cationic surface active substance on algae and Fagopyrum esculentum sprouts. - Soviet Journal of Ecology, 1990, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 79-81; ISSN 0096-7807.

This is a first publication to report a unique bioassay of synthetic surfactants using soil algae. Also, this is a first publication to report a juxtaposition of results of the  three methods of assessment of toxicity of a chemical: the methods that use (1) plant seedlings; (2) aquatic algae cultures; (3) soil algal cultures.
Experiments investigating the effects of the cationic surface active compound tetradecyl trimethylammonium bromide (TDTMA) on  a number of aquatic and soil algal cultures, and the seedlings of the higher plant Fagopyrum esculentum are described, and the results presented. It is concluded that future studies on the effects of pollutants on algae should involve the use of several test systems (both  aquatic and soil algal cultures).
              Title: EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION WITH A CATIONIC SURFACE ACTIVE SUBSTANCE ON ALGAE AND FAGOPYRUM ESCULENTUM SPROUTS.
Author(s): OSTROUMOV S.A.; TRETYAKOVA A.N.
Source: SOVIET JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY [=Russian Journal of Ecology]  Volume: 21,  Issue: 2  Pages: 79-81,  Published: MAR-APR 1990;
Available at:
http://www.cabdirect.org/abstracts/19911959003.html;jsessionid=A94FF8C3946B30B7F886D2BCF88204FC;
The reference in a traditional form:
Ostroumov, S. A.; Tret'yakova, A. N. Effect of environmental pollution with a cationic surface active substance on algae and Fagopyrum esculentum sprouts. - Soviet Journal of Ecology, 1990, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 79-81; ISSN 0096-7807.
[At that moment of time the journal was published by Plenum Publishing Corporation, 233 Spring St., N.Y., N.Y. 10013; the reference number of the publication published at the first page of the paper: 0096-7807/90/2102-0079].
A short abstract: Experiments investigating the effects of the cationic surface active compound tetradecyl trimethylammonium bromide (TDTMA) on aquatic and soil algal cultures and the  seedlings of Fagopyrum esculentum are described. The experimental results are presented. It is concluded that the future studies on the effects of pollutants on algae should involve the use of several test equations.
A more detailed abstract: The effects of environmental pollution with a cationic surface-active substance (surfactant tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide TDTMA) on certain cyanobacteria and algae were studied. The effects on cyanobacteria Nostoc muscorum Ag, strain 33 isolated from the soil in the Kirov Oblast (Region); and on green algae  Bracteacoccus minor (Chodat) Petrova, strain 200 and strain 219 (the strain 219 was isolated from the volcanic ash collected next to Tyatya Volcano, the island of Kunashir) were investigated. Their sensitivity to the surfactant TDTMA was compared with the sensitivity of terrestrial plants. The algal experiments were performed with aquatic and soil cultures. The experiments with terrestrial plants  used the earlier-developed method with the seedlings of Fagopyrum esculentum Moench. The experiments revealed a higher sensitivity of the test with the aquatic algal cultures.
In the SCOPUS database the publisher name of this journal (Soviet Journal of Ecology, 1972- 1992) is indicated as Russian Academy of Sciences. Afterwards the journal was renamed and entitled ‘Russian  Journal  of Ecology (Ekologiya)’, ISSN print: 1067-4136; ISSN online: 1608-3334. http://scipeople.com/publication/70248/ ;
About the journal: The Soviet Journal of Ecology
NLM Title Abbreviation: Sov J Ecol
ISO Abbreviation: Sov J Ecol
Title(s): The Soviet journal of ecology.
Continues: Ecology;
Continued By: Ekologiia. English. Russian journal of ecology;
Publication Start Year: 1971;
Publication End Year: 1992;
Frequency: Bimonthly;
Country of Publication: United States;
Publisher: New York, Consultants Bureau.
Latest Publisher: New York Ny : Consultants Bureau;
Description: 22 v. ill.
Language:  English;
ISSN: 0096-7807 (Print)  0096-7807 (Linking);
Coden: SJECAH
Selectively Indexed In: Index medicus v3n1, Jan./Feb. 1972-v4n6,Sept. 1974;
MEDLINE v3n1, Jan./Feb. 1972-v4n6,Sept. 1974;
PubMed v3n1, Jan./Feb. 1972-v4n6,Sept. 1974;
Current Indexing Status:  Not currently indexed for MEDLINE.
Version Indexed: Print;
MeSH: Ecology*
Publication Type(s): Periodicals;
Notes: Translation of: Ekologiia, a publication of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR;
Other ID: (DNLM)S33400000(s)
(OCoLC)00983152
NLM ID: 0321347 [Serial]
Cited in Australia as
Ostroumov, S. A. and A. N. Tret'Yakova (1990). Effect of environmental pollution with a cationic surfactant on some algae and Fagopyrum esculentum Moench. sprouts. Ekologiya(2): 43-46.
Cited at the site: http://www.newcrops.uq.edu.au/listing/fagopyrumesculentum.htm

Sulphur mustard (SM) is an alkylating chemical warfare agent that was widely used during the World War I and in the Iran–Iraq conflict. Delayed complications of SM in different organs and their severity correlations have not previously been reported. Dermatological, ophthalmological, neurological and respiratory examinations, as well as spirometry, gasometry, high resolution computed tomography scanning of the chest, electromyography, nerve conduction velocity, cell blood counts, flow-cytometric analyses, and measurement of serum immunoglobulins and complement factors were performed on all severely SM poisoned veterans in the province of Khorasan, Iran. Haematological and immunological studies were also performed on a control group consisting of 35 healthy male subjects. The severity of dermal, ocular and respiratory complications were classified into four grades and their correlations with each other as well as with the haematological and immunological parameters were determined, using Spearman's rank correlation test. Forty male patients (aged 43.8 ± 9.8 years) with confirmed SM poisoning 16–20 years after the exposure were studied. The most common complications were found in the lungs (95%), peripheral nerves (77.5%), skin (75%), and eyes (65%). WBC, RBC, haematocrit (HCT), IgM, C3, and the percentages of monocytes and CD3+ lymphocytes were significantly (P < 0.042) higher and the percentage of CD16 + 56 positive cells was significantly (P = 0.006) lower in the patients than in the control group. The severity of respiratory complications revealed a significant correlation with the severity of ocular complications (r = 0.322, P = 0.043), as well as with the haemoglobin (r = 0.369, P = 0.024) and HCT (r = 0.470, P =0.003). Although late complications of SM poisoning in the skin, eyes, and respiratory system are mainly due to its direct toxic effects, the neuromuscular, haematological and immunological complications are probably the result of systemic toxicity.

Abstract: Trichloroethylene (TE) is an environmental toxic solvent hazardous to human and domestic animals and well known in the industrial sector. The purpose of this study was to determine whether oral TE plays a role in lipid oxidation and tissue damage. Fourteen dogs were treated with ...