Contaminants of emerging concern in freshwater fish from four Spanish Rivers.

This study investigated the occurrence of 135 contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) - pharmaceuticals, pesticides, a set of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) (parabens, bisphenols, hormones, triazoles, organophosphorus flame retardants and triclosan), UV-filters, perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) - in 59 fish samples, collected in 2010 in 4 Spanish Rivers (Guadalquivir, Júcar, Ebro and Llobregat). Of the 135 CECs, 76 including 8 pharmaceuticals, 25 pesticides, 10 EDCs, 5 UV-filters, 15 PFASs and 13 HFRs were detected. Pharmaceuticals were the less frequently found and at lower concentrations. Pesticides, EDCs, UV-filters, PFASs and HFRs were detected more frequently (>50% of the samples). The maximum concentrations were 15 ng/g dry weight (dw) for pharmaceuticals (diclofenac), 840 ng/g dw for pesticides (chlorpyrifos), 224 ng/g dw for EDCs (bisphenol A), 242 ng/g dw for UV-filters (EHMC), 1738 ng/g dw for PFASs (PFHxA) and 64 ng/g dw for HFRs (Dec 602). The contaminants detected in fish are commonly detected also in sediments. In light of current knowledge, the risk assessment revealed that there was no risk for humans related to the exposure to CECs via freshwater fish consumption. However, results provide detailed information on the mixtures of CECs accumulated that would be very useful to identify their effects on aquatic biota.

Dynamics of suspended sediment borne persistent organic pollutants in a large regulated Mediterranean river (Ebro, NE Spain).

Mediterranean rivers are characterized by highly variable hydrological regimes that are strongly dependent on the seasonal rainfall. Sediment transport is closely related to the occurrence of flash-floods capable to deliver enough kinetic energy to mobilize the bed and channel sediments. Contaminants accumulated in the sediments are likely to be mobilized as well during such events. However, whereas there are many studies characterizing contaminants in steady sediments, those devoted to the transport dynamics of suspended-sediment borne pollution are lacking. Here we examined the occurrence and transport of persistent organic microcontaminants present in the circulating suspended sediments during a controlled flushing flow in the low part of the River Ebro (NE Spain) 12 km downstream of a well-known contaminated hot-spot associated to a nearby chloro-alkali industry. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and semi-volatile organochlorine pollutants (DDT and related compounds, DDX; polychlorinated byphenils, PCBs; and other organochlorine compound, OCs) were measured in the particulate material by GC-MS and GC-MS/MS, using previously developed analytical methods. The concentration levels observed were compared to previously reported values in steady sediments in the same river and discussed on a regulatory perspective. Hydrographs and sedigraphs recorded showed a peak-flow of 1,300 m(3)s(-1) and a corresponding peak of suspended sediments of 315 mg L(-1). Combination of flow discharge, suspended sediments and pollutants' concentrations data allowed for quantifying the mass flows (mass per unit of time) and setting the load budgets (weight amount) of the different pollutants transported by the river during the monitored event. Mean mass-flows and total load values found were 20.2 mg s(-1) (400 g) for PAHs, 38 mg s(-1) (940 g) for DDX, 44 mg s(-1) (1,038 g) for PCBs and 8 mg s(-1) (200 g) for OCs. The dynamic pattern behavior of PAHs differs substantially to that of organochlorine pollutants, thus reflecting different pollution origins.

Control de culícidos con el empleo de Bacillus thuringiensis SH-14 var. israelensis en criaderos permanentes de la localidad de Fomento, provincia Sancti Spíritus, Cuba

Se realizó una evaluación ecológica de tendencia temporal retrospectiva y descriptiva del período 1999-2000, en 8 cuerpos de agua de la localidad de Fomento, provincia Sancti Spíritus. Para evaluar la efectividad y permanencia del biolarvicida, se utilizaron datos de muestreos sistemáticos y de acciones de control de los programas provinciales de vigilancia y lucha antivectorial, recogidos en los expedientes de cada criadero en la Unidad Municipal de Higiene y Epidemiología de la localidad. Se aplicaron dosis de 10 mL de ingrediente activo por metro cuadrado, alcanzándose la reducción y estabilización de los índices larvales y de adultos en cebo humano, de importantes especies vectoras de malaria, filariais, y fiebre del Nilo occidental. Se comprobó la extensión del rango de recuperación larval hasta las 3 semanas(AU)

[Physiological age of 2 populations of Anopheles (N.) albimanus Wied., 1821 (Diptera: Culicidae) and its importance in malaria transmission]. / Estudio de la edad fisiológica de 2 poblaciones de Anopheles (N.) albimanus Wied., 1821 (Diptera: Culicidae) y su importancia en la transmisión de paludismo.

The physiological age of Anopheles albimanus in two villages of Havana Province was studied. In general, we detected a similar pattern of behavior in the species, with a higher number of females being born during the dry season, which represents a higher risk of malaria transmission in this season.

[Aspects of larval density of Culex nigripalpus Theobald, 1901 (Diptera: Culicidae) in natural conditions]. / Aspectos de la densidad larval de Culex nigripalpus Theobald, 1901 (Diptera: Culicidae) en condiciones naturales.

A study was carried out in order to determined the larval population density of Culex nigripalpus, vector of different parasitic and viral diseases in the neotropical region. Two population from Havana and Havana City Provinces were studied during the period comprised between November 1986 and November 1987. The higher densities of this species appeared during December 1986 (838.2 larvae/m2) and November 1987 (495 larvae/m2) in Santa Cruz del Norte (Havana) and in November 1986 (343.2 larvae/m2), January 1987 (232.65 larvae/m2), February 1987 (580.8 larvae/m2) in the Lenin Park (Havana City).

[Analysis of the results of the eradication campaign against the Aedes aegypti mosquito in the municipality of Consolación del Sur]. / Análisis de los resultados de la campaña de erradicación del mosquito Aedes aegypti en el municipio Consolación del Sur.

This report examines the results of the Campaign of Eradication of the Mosquito Aedes aegypti in the Consolación del Sur district in Pinar del Rio, in the period ranging from August 1, 1981, to December 28, 1984, which included the intensive stage and the first 18 cycles of the consolidation stage. Data was tabulated and statistically elaborated. A significant decrease in the number of Aedes aegypti foci was found from the intensive stage on, and in this stage the largest figure of foci for this species was found. It was noted that no significant differences exist between urban and rural areas. Likewise, a larger number and distribution of foci was found in rural areas. At present this species has been eradicated from Consolación del Sur district.

[Resistance of Musca domestica Linnaeus 1758 (Diptera: Muscidae) to organophosphorous insecticides in a poultry farm, province La Habana]. / Resistencia de Musca domestica Linnaeus 1758 (Diptera: Muscidae) a insecticidas organofosforados en una granja avícola, provincia La Habana.

With the methodology of the WHO, tests for resistance to the insecticides malathion, diazinon, and fenthion were made. A resistance factor of 89 against malathion and tolerance to diazinon and fenthion were found in a strain of Musca domestica from a poultry farm in Havana province.

[Sensitivity to dimilin (diflubenzuron) in a strain of Aedes (S) aegypti Linnneaus, 1762 and of Culex (C) quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 bred in the laboratory]. / Estudio de la sensibilidad al dimilin (diflubenzuron) en una cepa de Aedes (S) aegypti Linneaus, 1762 y de Culex (C) quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 criadas en el laboratorio.

This paper studies the degree of sensitivity of larval Aedes (S) aegypti Linneaus, 1762 and Culex quinquefasciatus, Say, 1823, to dimilin (diflubenzuron-urea) with strains from Güines, in Havana province, which were bred in the laboratory. Tests were carried out in the period ranging from March, 1982 to March, 1983. The method used was the one standardized by the World Health Organization in 1980. The authors found susceptibility of A. aegypti to the product used with values of CL50 and CL95 of 0.045 mg/L and 0.255 mg/L respectively as well as physiologic resistance in Culex quinquefasciatus.