Monitoring bioaccumulation and toxic effects of hexachlorobenzene using the polyurethane foam unit method in the microbial communities of the Fuhe River, Wuhan.
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is a chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbon that was widely used for seed dressing in prevention of fungal growth on crops, and also as a component of fireworks, ammunition, and synthetic rubbers. Because of its resistance to degradation and mobility, HCB is widely distributed throughout the environment and is accumulated through food chains in different ecosystems. In this study, a preliminary investigation was carried out on the bioaccumulation and the toxic effects of HCB in the microbial (protozoan in particular) communities in the Fuhe River, Wuhan, a water body receiving industrial wastewaters containing HCB and other pollutants, using the standardized polyurethane foam units (PFU) method. Field samples were taken from eight stations established along the Fuhe River in January and August 2006. The concentration ratios of HCB in microbial communities and in water were 9.66-18.64, and the microbial communities accumulated 13.29-56.88 [ig/L of HCB in January and 0.82-10.25 microg/L HCB in August. Correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between the HCB contents in the microbial assemblage, and the number of species and the diversity index of the protozoan communities. This study demonstrated the applicability of the PFU method in monitoring the effects of HCB on the level of microbial communities.
Liu
Ting
T
Environmental Science Research Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China. xianglt@263.net
Chen
Zhu-lei
ZL
Shen
Yun-fen
YF
Gan
Lu
L
Cao
Li
L
Lv
Zi-zhong
ZZ
D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D002681:China; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects*; D006581:Hexachlorobenzene / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000009:adverse effects; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D011140:Polyurethanes; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D045483:Rivers; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
D007220:Industrial Waste; D011140:Polyurethanes; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D010758:Phosphorus; D006581:Hexachlorobenzene; C028279:polyurethane foam