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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the aquatic environment: Sources, fates and biological effects
No.7
NI9
BOOK REVIEWS
TOXIC METALS AND THEIR ANALYSIS by Eleanor Berman, Cook County H o s p i t a l , Chicago, Illinols, U . S . A . ) , 304 pages ( i n c l u d i n g an index og 5 pages, 29 t a b l e s and 5 f i g u r e s ) ,
llnen,
format 241 x 163 mm, ISBN 0-85501-468-7, published 1980 by Heyden International Topics in Science, Spectrum House, Hillvlew Gardens, London NW4 2JQ, U.K., prices ~ 12.-, US$ 27.- or DM 56.-. The book can be highly recommended to toxicologists, analysts end all those involved in clinical chemistry, since it gives practical information from the experience in studying hospital cases. The volume contains more than 1750 very good literature references (added to each chapter) and an appendix, which presents workable methods for atomic adsorption analysis as used in the author's laboratory. A great effort was taken to establish what may be normal concentrations in biological materials - for instance in different body fluids and tissues from different organs and what may be toxic. With this clear delineation and a better Knowledge, toxicologists can make better use of the important advances in analytical instrumentation and their subsequent application in developing refined, sensitive, specific, and accurate techniques for trace metal determinations. But also the analyst van profit in applying the best methods in relevant concentrations, when he has a better understanding of biochemical roles, destrlbutlons in the body and interactions. Keeping this goal in mind, the structuring of the book is very logical. Or. Barman first discusses the general history of the development of the understanding the roles of different metals in health and disease, and of trace metal analysis. The following 31 chapters deal with the individual metals and metalloids, from alumlnium to zirconium, which toxic properties have been ascribed. The book concludes wlth an Appendix detailing routine analytical procedures of atomic absorption spectrometry, by giving information about chemical pretreatment of some matrices, and about methods to determine the individual metal concentrations in blood, serum, semen, urine and tissues {including calibration procedures, reagents, working standards). Many metals are first chelated in solution and then extracted, before - for instance - graphite furnace atomisation, comparing standards and unknowns at described resonance lines. The individual chapters dealing with the 31 elements give some historical information and indications about sources and uses, before the toxicology (abnormal concentrations, biochemical role, distribution in the body, concentration in the diets) and the methods available for the analysis are discussed in more detail. As far as intake however mainly oral intake is treated, and the dispersion of the metals in the environment and the risk assessment of these contaminations are practlcally forgotten. For instance little is said about lead intake from traffic and changes in the lungs and in the central nervous system, and cadmium intake from incinneration, respectively from vegetables cultivated on contaminated aereas. The most important headings "Analysis" give very good comparisons of the possibilities in applying colorimetry, fluorlmetry, chromatography, emission spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectrometry, flameless atomic absorption, X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence and neutron activation analysls. Here one finds valuable practical indications (also very useful literature references), to select the best method in view of the detection limits desired.
Ernest Merlan
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT: SOURCES, FATES AND BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS, Or. Jerry M. Neff, Texas A & M University, College S t a t i o n , Texas, U.S.A., 262 pages (including a bibliography with l i t e r a t u r e references o f 27 pages, a glossary o f abbrevatlons of two pages and an index o f 4 pages), 30 figures, 89 tables, linen, format 230 x 148 mm, ISBN 0-85334-832-4, Elsevler's Applied Science Publishers Ltd., Barking Essex IGII OSA, England 1979, [ 22.50.
to
N20
No.7
It is estimated that nearly 230'000 tons of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (including 700 tons of benzo(a)pyrene) enter the aquatic environment each year from various sources (petroleum spills, fallout, rainfall etc.). They are rapidly adsorbed to organic and inorganic particulates, deposited in sediments and/or accumulated in the tissues of aquatic organisms. In the latter case accumulation from water is generally more efficient than from food or sediment. Evaporation, photooxidation and metabolic degradation by aquatic bacteria, fungl and animals interact to reduce the concentrations at the same time. Thus food chain biomagnifinatioH polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons occurs only to a very limited extent. Direct biosynthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by bacteria, fungi and plants is still controversial. There is evidence published for and against such a process. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are acutely toxic to aquatic animals at concentrations of about 0,2 to 10 ppm. Deleterious sublethal responses in aquatic organisms (for instance interference with Key membrane-mediated physiological and biochemical processes) are sometimes observed at concentrations in the 5 to 100 ppb range. Metabolic intermediates of some polycycllc aromatic hydrocarbons are carcinogenic, mutagenlc and/or teratogenic (also in several aquatic animals and plants), but the importance of these incidences for aquatic organisms or for man (contaminated drinking water or fishery products) seems to be minor, compared with other sources. The critical and careful review is of great use to scientists of different disciplines, who must base their work on Knowledge about environmental chemistry especially about interactions and cylcles in the environment and in living organisms - of pollutants, and for students and responsible agencies. The preface of Jerry M. Neff is especially valuable since it reveals also important aereas where information is scanty or completely lacking, and where there is a need for additional research to fill gaps in the knowledge. The volume deals with all the chemical and biologic reactions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which take place in the aquatic environment. The first one-third of the text deals with the sources of polycyclic arcmatic hydrocarbons, including a discussion of the possibility of biosynthesis by bacteria and plants, and the routes by which these compounds enter marine and fresh waters. The rates at which polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from different sources enter marine and fresh waters are estimated. The following section of the book deals with the distrlbutien of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the water, biota and sediments of marine and fresh waters. The remainder of the book is a review of various biological aspects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination of aquatic ecosystems. Included is a discussion of the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by photo-oxidation and metabolism by aquatic bacteria, fungi and animals; accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from water, petroleum, sediments and food, acute toxicity and sublethal biological effects of polycycllc aromatic hydrocarbons to aquatic organisms; laboratory and field studies of polycyolic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced cancer in aquatic organisms; and finally the possible role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination of the aquatic environment in human cancer.
Ernest Merian
"TIN AND ORGANOTIN COMPOUNDS", WHO-Envlronmentai Criteria 15 of a WHO-Task Group (Chairman Dr. M. Sharratt, Department of Health g Social Security, London, U.K.) in engiish and french, 1980, 109 pages (no inedex, but including 17 pages of literature references), stiff paper cover, format 210 x 140 mm, ISBN 92-4-154075-3, WHOHealth g BiomedicaI Information Programme, CH-1211 geneva 27, SFr. 7.- additional information for the element tin and its compounds are given. Recommendations for further research, chemistry and analytical methods, sources of envlronmentaI pollution, envlronmentai transport and transformations, environmentai concentrations and exposures, metabolisms, effects on animals and effects on man on the basis of more than 300 references (S2 important organotln compounds are listed) are described
o~
NI9
BOOK REVIEWS
TOXIC METALS AND THEIR ANALYSIS by Eleanor Berman, Cook County H o s p i t a l , Chicago, Illinols, U . S . A . ) , 304 pages ( i n c l u d i n g an index og 5 pages, 29 t a b l e s and 5 f i g u r e s ) ,
llnen,
format 241 x 163 mm, ISBN 0-85501-468-7, published 1980 by Heyden International Topics in Science, Spectrum House, Hillvlew Gardens, London NW4 2JQ, U.K., prices ~ 12.-, US$ 27.- or DM 56.-. The book can be highly recommended to toxicologists, analysts end all those involved in clinical chemistry, since it gives practical information from the experience in studying hospital cases. The volume contains more than 1750 very good literature references (added to each chapter) and an appendix, which presents workable methods for atomic adsorption analysis as used in the author's laboratory. A great effort was taken to establish what may be normal concentrations in biological materials - for instance in different body fluids and tissues from different organs and what may be toxic. With this clear delineation and a better Knowledge, toxicologists can make better use of the important advances in analytical instrumentation and their subsequent application in developing refined, sensitive, specific, and accurate techniques for trace metal determinations. But also the analyst van profit in applying the best methods in relevant concentrations, when he has a better understanding of biochemical roles, destrlbutlons in the body and interactions. Keeping this goal in mind, the structuring of the book is very logical. Or. Barman first discusses the general history of the development of the understanding the roles of different metals in health and disease, and of trace metal analysis. The following 31 chapters deal with the individual metals and metalloids, from alumlnium to zirconium, which toxic properties have been ascribed. The book concludes wlth an Appendix detailing routine analytical procedures of atomic absorption spectrometry, by giving information about chemical pretreatment of some matrices, and about methods to determine the individual metal concentrations in blood, serum, semen, urine and tissues {including calibration procedures, reagents, working standards). Many metals are first chelated in solution and then extracted, before - for instance - graphite furnace atomisation, comparing standards and unknowns at described resonance lines. The individual chapters dealing with the 31 elements give some historical information and indications about sources and uses, before the toxicology (abnormal concentrations, biochemical role, distribution in the body, concentration in the diets) and the methods available for the analysis are discussed in more detail. As far as intake however mainly oral intake is treated, and the dispersion of the metals in the environment and the risk assessment of these contaminations are practlcally forgotten. For instance little is said about lead intake from traffic and changes in the lungs and in the central nervous system, and cadmium intake from incinneration, respectively from vegetables cultivated on contaminated aereas. The most important headings "Analysis" give very good comparisons of the possibilities in applying colorimetry, fluorlmetry, chromatography, emission spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectrometry, flameless atomic absorption, X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence and neutron activation analysls. Here one finds valuable practical indications (also very useful literature references), to select the best method in view of the detection limits desired.
Ernest Merlan
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT: SOURCES, FATES AND BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS, Or. Jerry M. Neff, Texas A & M University, College S t a t i o n , Texas, U.S.A., 262 pages (including a bibliography with l i t e r a t u r e references o f 27 pages, a glossary o f abbrevatlons of two pages and an index o f 4 pages), 30 figures, 89 tables, linen, format 230 x 148 mm, ISBN 0-85334-832-4, Elsevler's Applied Science Publishers Ltd., Barking Essex IGII OSA, England 1979, [ 22.50.
to
N20
No.7
It is estimated that nearly 230'000 tons of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (including 700 tons of benzo(a)pyrene) enter the aquatic environment each year from various sources (petroleum spills, fallout, rainfall etc.). They are rapidly adsorbed to organic and inorganic particulates, deposited in sediments and/or accumulated in the tissues of aquatic organisms. In the latter case accumulation from water is generally more efficient than from food or sediment. Evaporation, photooxidation and metabolic degradation by aquatic bacteria, fungl and animals interact to reduce the concentrations at the same time. Thus food chain biomagnifinatioH polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons occurs only to a very limited extent. Direct biosynthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by bacteria, fungi and plants is still controversial. There is evidence published for and against such a process. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are acutely toxic to aquatic animals at concentrations of about 0,2 to 10 ppm. Deleterious sublethal responses in aquatic organisms (for instance interference with Key membrane-mediated physiological and biochemical processes) are sometimes observed at concentrations in the 5 to 100 ppb range. Metabolic intermediates of some polycycllc aromatic hydrocarbons are carcinogenic, mutagenlc and/or teratogenic (also in several aquatic animals and plants), but the importance of these incidences for aquatic organisms or for man (contaminated drinking water or fishery products) seems to be minor, compared with other sources. The critical and careful review is of great use to scientists of different disciplines, who must base their work on Knowledge about environmental chemistry especially about interactions and cylcles in the environment and in living organisms - of pollutants, and for students and responsible agencies. The preface of Jerry M. Neff is especially valuable since it reveals also important aereas where information is scanty or completely lacking, and where there is a need for additional research to fill gaps in the knowledge. The volume deals with all the chemical and biologic reactions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which take place in the aquatic environment. The first one-third of the text deals with the sources of polycyclic arcmatic hydrocarbons, including a discussion of the possibility of biosynthesis by bacteria and plants, and the routes by which these compounds enter marine and fresh waters. The rates at which polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from different sources enter marine and fresh waters are estimated. The following section of the book deals with the distrlbutien of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the water, biota and sediments of marine and fresh waters. The remainder of the book is a review of various biological aspects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination of aquatic ecosystems. Included is a discussion of the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by photo-oxidation and metabolism by aquatic bacteria, fungi and animals; accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from water, petroleum, sediments and food, acute toxicity and sublethal biological effects of polycycllc aromatic hydrocarbons to aquatic organisms; laboratory and field studies of polycyolic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced cancer in aquatic organisms; and finally the possible role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination of the aquatic environment in human cancer.
Ernest Merian
"TIN AND ORGANOTIN COMPOUNDS", WHO-Envlronmentai Criteria 15 of a WHO-Task Group (Chairman Dr. M. Sharratt, Department of Health g Social Security, London, U.K.) in engiish and french, 1980, 109 pages (no inedex, but including 17 pages of literature references), stiff paper cover, format 210 x 140 mm, ISBN 92-4-154075-3, WHOHealth g BiomedicaI Information Programme, CH-1211 geneva 27, SFr. 7.- additional information for the element tin and its compounds are given. Recommendations for further research, chemistry and analytical methods, sources of envlronmentaI pollution, envlronmentai transport and transformations, environmentai concentrations and exposures, metabolisms, effects on animals and effects on man on the basis of more than 300 references (S2 important organotln compounds are listed) are described
o~