Terrestrial inputs and physical processes control the distributions of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the seawater of the large-range Beibu Gulf, the northern South China Sea.

The potentially toxic elements (PTEs), Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Hg and As in the water from the Beibu Gulf, were investigated to reveal the contaminant characteristics and assess the risks to human health. The results showed that the concentration of PTEs in the Beibu Gulf varies significantly both seasonally and spatially, with higher concentrations in summer and in the northern and southern gulf. Terrestrial inputs and local anthropogenic discharge are responsible for the higher level in the northern gulf, and the transportation of water masses is also an important factor for the higher concentrations in the southern gulf. Ecological risk assessment suggested that Hg is the main ecological risk factor. The health risk assessment revealed that dermal exposure to PTEs in the gulf presents potentially carcinogenic health effects for humans. This study provides new insight into the transport of PTEs over a large area of the Beibu Gulf.

Distribution and sources of microplastics in the Beibu Gulf using in-situ filtration technique.

The Beibu Gulf is a vital link between China and the ASEAN nations, and microplastic contamination is rising due to fast growth, coastal life, fisheries, and mariculture. The abundance, distribution, and source analyses were conducted at 25 sample points for this study. According to this study, the average MPs was 0.25 ± 0.05 items/m3, ranging from 0.01 items/m3 to 0.89 items/m3. Fibers, white, cellulose, and 0.33-1 mm were abundant in shape, color, composition, and size, respectively. Multi-statistics-based source analysis indicated land-based inputs (packing materials, textile materials, fisheries, and mariculture) were dominant in the Beibu Gulf. In this study, we also acknowledged a comprehensive comparison and convenience between plankton pumps and other conventional designs to collect microplastic samples from water. We suggested that using a uniform design could elevate the data quality of microplastics.

[Comparison of two kinds of methods to prepare Chinese medicine Danggui Buxue formula pellets].

The pellet-preparating theories and processes of two kinds of methods of extrusion-spheronization and fluid-bed coating method were compared. The micromeritic properties, yield and in vitro dissolution of Danggui Buxue pellets prepared by the two methods were determined. Results showed that the Danggui Buxue pellets prepared by extrusion-spheronization were all spheral with smooth surface, the yield of those pellets was higher and in vitro dissolution of those pellets was more satisfactory. So the two kinds of methods were all suitable to prepare Dang-gui-bu-xue pellets, but Extrusion-spheronization was superior to fluid-bed coating method.