Immune Response of the Ridgetail White Prawn Exopalaemon carinicauda After Exposure to the Dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum

The dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum is known to affect the normal physiological function of Exopalaemon carinicauda by inducing oxidative stress,apoptosis,and cellular injury.To study the effects of P.minimum on the immune defense system of shrimp,E.carinicauda were exposed to 5×10^(3)cells mL^(-1)and 5×10^(4)cells mL^(-1)of P.minimum for 336 h in treatment groups,while E.carinicauda cultured in filtered seawater was employed as control.The total hemocyte counts(THC),hemocyanin concentration(HEM),and the activity of alkaline phosphatase(AKP)in hemolymph serum,as well as expressions of six immunity-related genes in hemocytes,hepatopancreases and gills were determined.The exposure of P.minimum significantly reduced the THC,HEM concentration and AKP activity in hemolymph serum.Immunity-related genes expressed differently in hemocytes,hepatopancreases and gills.Compared with the control group,the expressions of Crustin and pro PO in hemocytes were significantly up-regulated in the treatment groups,while the up-regulated expressions of LGBP,Lysozyme and Serpin were only found in the group exposed to 5×10^(4)cells mL^(-1)of P.minimum.In the gills of E.carinicauda exposed to P.minimum,the down-regulation of ALF,proPO and Serpin,up-regulation of LGBP and Lysozyme,as well as unaffected Crustin were observed.In hepatopancreases,the up-regulated expressions of LGBP,Crustin,Lysozyme,Serpin and proPO(only in 5×10^(3)cells mL^(-1)of P.minimum group)were found in the treatment groups.After exposure to P.minimum for 336 h,shrimps were injected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus and WSSV.The results showed that the mortality rates of shrimp in the treatment groups were significantly increased with a dose-dependent effect,which suggests that exposure to P.minimum may reduce the immunity of E.carinicauda.The research indicates that hemocytes and hepatopancreases play important roles in protecting the shrimp immune response to harmful algae,while the protection effect of hemolymph serum and gills may be suppressed.Since the exposure to P.minimum depressed the immunity of E.carinicauda,further studies are needed to confirm whether the presence of the algae will affect the susceptibility of shrimp to pathogens.

Determination of Different Trace Heavy Metals in Ground Water of South West Bank/Palestine by ICP/MS

Heavy metal contamination of the groundwater of south West Bank in Palestine was assessed. The groundwater samples were analyzed for different trace heavy metals (Tl, Pb, Bi, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Ag, and Cd), and Al content by ICP/MS. This study was conducted to determine the water quality of ground water which is used for drinking in the study area. Water samples from ten groundwater wells were obtained in four different dates of the year (October 2012, November 2012, March 2013, and April 2013). Three water samples were obtained from each well for each sampling date. A total of 120 water samples were collected from the ten wells. The samples were analyzed for their pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and different trace metals content. The pH, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids of all water samples were found to be within the US Environmental protection Agency limits. Results showed that Pb, Al, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Mo were detected in all water samples analyzed in this study, while Tl, Bi, Mn, Ag, and Cd were detected in 80%, 88%, 90%, 75%, and 95% of the water samples analyzed in this study, respectively. In general, 93% of all samples analyzed contained one or more of the 13 metals studied each in varying concentration. Furthermore, results showed that the concentration of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Mo is within the allowed WHO limits in drinking water. However the concentration of Pb Cd, and Al are found to be higher than the allowed WHO limits in 40%, 8%, and 33% of the water samples analyzed in this study, respectively. Statistical analyses showed that concentrations of the metals studied in this study vary significantly between the ten ground water wells, indicating that the wells analyzed in this study is different from each other in terms of heavy metal content. Additionally, from the statistical results obtained, it was found that there is a significant difference in the concentration of the metals in each well for the four sampling times (October 2012, November 2012, March 2013, and April 2013), denoting that metal concentration in the wells vary significantly with sampling time. The results obtained from this study suggest a possible risk to the population of the study area given the toxicity of these metals, and the fact that for many people in the study area, ground water is a main source of their water supply.

Analysis of Different Rare Metals, Rare Earth Elements, and other Common Metals in Groundwater of South West Bank/Palestine by ICP/MS-Data and Health Aspects

Ground water samples are collected from south West Bank/Palestine and analyzed for different rare elements (Rb, Zr, U, P, Ti, V), rare earth elements (La, Ce, and Nd), and other common trace metals (Li, Na, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, K, Bi) that most of them usually have no maximum acceptable limits as either they are considered not to be toxic to human health or there is no sufficient data about their toxicity to human health. This study was conducted to determine the water quality of ground water which is used for drinking in the study area. Water samples from ten groundwater wells were obtained in three different dates of the year (November 2012, March 2013, and April 2013). Three water samples were obtained from each well for each sampling date;so a total of 90 water samples were collected from the ten wells. The results obtained from this study suggest a possible risk to the population of the study area given the high concentration of some metals that have no maximum allowed concentration, and the fact that for many people in the study area, ground water is a main source of their water supply.

Determination of Different Trace Heavy Metals in Children’s Plastic Toys Imported to the West Bank/Palestine by ICP/MS-Environmental and Health Aspects

The main aim of this study is to assess the quality of inexpensive plastic toys imported to Palestinian Markets. The content of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Hg, As, Se, Ba, and Zn) was analyzed in 50 plastic toys purchased from local markets in Palestine and 17 plastic toys purchased from Israeli markets for comparison. After the digestion of samples with concentrated nitric acids and hydrogen peroxide using a microwave digester, the concentrations of the selected heavy metals were determined by ICP-MS Agilent 7500 in Al-Quds University. Results revealed that 40% of the Palestinian toy samples had high concentration (above international limits) of Pb, 30% of Cd, 34% of Cr, 6% of Hg, 42% of As, 32% of Se, 20% of Ba, and 40% of Zn. On the other hand, 95% of the Israeli samples were safe, and their concentrations were less than the maximum internationally allowable limits. In the same context, ten toy samples (2.5 gm each) had been crushed and dipped for 8 hours in a solution of artificial saliva. The solution was acidified and tested for heavy metal concentrations, but none of the migration concentrations exceeded the international maximum allowable limit. High levels of heavy metal concentrations, found in the plastic toys from the Palestinian markets could form a health hazard to children and put their lives at risk. It could be also an indirect source for environmental pollution.

Analysis of Different Rare Metals, and Rare Earth Metals in Harvested Rain Water in Gaza Strip/Palestine by ICP/MS-Data and Health Aspects

This rain water samples harvested for drinking and agriculture from Gaza collected in November 2012 were analyzed for different rare metals (Rb, Zr, Ti, Tl, Sb, Sc, Y), and rare earth metals (La, and Ce). These metals usually have no maximum acceptable limits as there is no sufficient data about their toxicity to human health. Their control should be therefore controlled in water to monitor their concentration in water (ground, harvested, etc.). This study was conducted to determine the water quality of harvested water which is used for drinking in the study area. 43 water samples were collected in November 2012 during the first rain from house wells and rain water pools. The concentrations of the metals detected in the collected harvested rainwater vary significantly between the 43 samples, and all of them were detected in all water samples analyzed in this study. The results obtained from this study suggest a possible risk to the population of the study area given the high concentration of some metals that have no maximum allowed concentration, and the fact that for many people in the study area, harvested rain water is a main source of their water supply.

Comparative Study on the Leaching Dynamic Properties of Five Kinds of Microparticulate forms of Vitamin B_1

With an aim to reduce leaching of water soluble vitamins, the leaching properties of five kinds of microparticulate forms of vitamin B 1 are investigated by means of dynamic system. These microparticles include: alginate and alginate CMC microcapsules prepared by emulsion coacervation process (ECP), alginate and gelatin microcapsules prepared by spray drying process (SDP), and alginate microbound. The results show these five microparticulate forms of VB 1 can reduce leaching significantly compared to crystalline form VB 1, and the leaching rates at different intervals, diameters and encapsulation efficiencies ( EE ) are significantly different among all kinds of microparticles (ANOVA, P <0.05). The leaching properties of the five microparticles are in accord with Higuchi equation. Based on the regression equation, the half loss time ( T 50 ) is determined.In conclusion, the alginate CMC microencapsule is a potential tool to reduce leaching of water soluble vitamins.

Assessment of Groundwater Pollution with Heavy Metals in North West Bank/Palestine by ICP-MS

Groundwater of North West Bank in Palestine was assessed for pollution with trace metals by ICP/MS. The samples were analysed for their pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and different trace metals content. The pH, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids of all water samples were found to be within the US Environmental protection Agency limits. Results showed that the concentration of nine trace metals (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Pb, Cd, and Al) is within the WHO limits in drinking water (50, 500, 20, 2000, 3000, 70, 10, 3, and 200 ug/L, respectively), however six metals of them (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Mo, and Al) were detected in 100% of the samples, while Pb, Cd, and Zn were detected in 80%, 60%, and 20% of the samples, respectively. On the other hand, Tl which is a very toxic heavy metal with allowed WHO limits of 0.01 - 1 ug/L is detected in 100% of the water samples analysed with a range of 0.02 - 0.12 ug/L. It indicates that such concentration levels of Tl would be harmful to the human being drinking the water. In general, 82% of all samples analysed contained one or more of the 12 metals studied each in varying concentration. Results of this study suggest a possible risk to the people of the study area given the toxicity of heavy metals, and the fact that for many people in the study area, groundwater is a main source of their water supply.