Mitsuteru Irie

Stress response of heavy metal mixture present in wastewater and leachate on heat-shock protein 47-transfected cells

Heavy metals present in water environment and hazardous sites as single compounds or mixture may drastically affect human health. In the present work, we investigated the risk assessment of wastewater effluents and leachate with a focus on three heavy metals-nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb)-and their combined effect on mammalian cells, using Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with the heat-shock protein (HSP) 47 promoter. The heavy metal mixture model was designed based on the concentrations of metals in wastewater effluents and leachate sampled in Tunisia. Using a ternary diagram, we investigated the stress response of the interaction model. This research indicated that the single heavy metals induced the stress response on HSP(+) cells even at concentrations lower than the local and international guidelines. Differences in water quality likely influenced the metal responses such that the organic composition of the leachate increased the stress response induced by the heavy metals exclusively, whereas the effluents included organic compounds that were able to mask the heavy metal effect. The mixture characterization discovered the key role played by the high levels of Ni or combination of Cd and Pb to induce the highest stress response following 3-h incubation. Heat-shock protein 47 has proven its effectiveness for assessing the heavy metal mixture effect even at low concentrations. Furthermore, the combination of a bioassay system with a statistical model proved extremely useful for better understanding the major contributors to the stress response of the mixture.

Sustainable design of sanitation system based on material and value flow analysis for urban slum in Indonesia

Material flow analysis (MFA) and value flow analysis (VFA) were applied to the sanitation system in an urban slum in Indonesia. Based on the results of the MFA and VFA, garbage and excreta disposal costs were evaluated to be 0.7% and 1.1%, respectively, of per capita income. Such value flows seem reasonable in light of the recognized affordability to pay (ATP) standard. However, current excreta disposal methods create negative impacts on downstream populations. Because such disadvantages do not go back to disposers, but passed to downstream, the current value flow structure does not motivate individual toilet users to install treatment facility. Based on current material and value flow structures, a resource recycling sanitation system scenario was examined. Based on VFA, an affordable initial cost for such a system was calculated; this was found to be comparable in price to a cheaper composting toilet that is currently available in the market.

Assessment of wastewater-irrigated soil containing heavy metals and establishment of specific biomarkers

Irrigation with treated wastewater (TWW) is a vital alternative for arid and semi-arid lands but it poses pollution-risk to soil, vegetation and groundwater. Therefore, in the present study, in vitro bioassays were used to evaluate the adverse effects of TWW and irrigated-soil extract sample, on mammalian cells, with respect to heavy metal--Ni, Cd, Pb, Fe, Al-content. The heat shock protein (HSP) 47, E-screen, and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) assays served to investigate the stress response of treated-HSP47-transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, the estrogenic activity of the samples in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and the barrier function (BF) of Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, proteomics analyses were performed to shed light on involved mechanisms and to establish pollution biomarkers. Results showed that the TWW elicited a stress response on HSP cells from 0.1% concentration while soil extract samples exhibited a stress at 1%. TWW induced an estrogenic activity at 10%; up-regulating cell proliferation and tumor-related proteins. Soil extract triggered the enhanced expression of HSP70 family proteins as survival mechanisms against their cytotoxicity toward MCF-7 cells. Moreover, depending on the concentration, 1% of soil extract from 20 cm depth (T20) resulted in a disruption of BF in Caco-2 cells involving cell metabolism, protein synthesis and tumor marker proteins, whereas, 5% of T20 induced the expression of BF-related proteins associated to heat shock, oxidative stress, cell proliferation and glycolytic metabolic pathway. These biological techniques were found to be extremely useful to evaluate the impact of wastewater reuse and to establish specific biomarkers that are common proteins for humans, other mammals and plants. Future studies should focus on exposure quantifications.

Experiment of a Resource-Oriented Agro-Sanitation System for Urban Slum Area: Case of Indonesia

This chapter describes case study of applicability assessment for resource-oriented agro-sanitation business for urban slum in Indonesia, based on interdisciplinary field survey, (1) economic feasibility assessment, (2) demand potential assessment, and (3) social acceptability. The value flow analysis evaluated garbage disposal cost and excreta disposal cost at 0.7 and 1.1%, respectively, of household income, which represents a reasonable cost to disposers. However, under the current disposal scheme, negative value due to excreta disposal to river appears to be passed on to downstream populations. The structure of this value flow indicates that little attention is paid to the negative externalities, indicating that a solution in this case may be difficult to obtain. The affordable initial cost of a new resource recycling system was evaluated and compared with the costs of a currently available compost toilet by evaluating equipment lifetimes and potential income streams available from the sale of human excrement fertilizers. To estimate a value for the human excrement fertilizer, real-world case study in Indonesia, in which money was paid in exchange for human urine, was referred to. The evaluated affordable initial cost derived was sufficiently comparable to the price of a cheaper composting toilet currently available in the market. This implies that such a resource recycling system is feasible even in an urban slum. Results of demand and supply assessment showed that if resource-oriented sanitation system was diffused, supply would excess demands in the circle of 32 km radius, therefore cost discussion should assume more than 32 km transportation. According to the results of case estimation of tea plantation, total cost for fertilizer provided by resource-oriented sanitation system is possibly competitive to the normal price of synthetic fertilizer. However, if compared to subsidized price for low-income farmers, it seems difficult to compete. Regarding social aspect, the context of Islamic law is important. Islamic authorities regarded the resource-oriented sanitation system as no problematic concept and acceptable in the context of Islamic law.

Modeling of Thermal Stratification and the Effect on Water Quality in FourReservoirs in Tunisia

Tunisia is a North African country which is under the Mediterranean climate. This climate is characterized by a clear difference of precipitation between rainy season in winter and dry season in summer. The flood water in winter is stored for irrigation in dry seasons and for urban water supply throughout the year. The historical data analysis shows that reservoirs in Tunisia are characterized by a long retention time (0.5-1) year. This fact participates in the degradation of the quality of surface water resources due to the sedimentation process; it also induces the thermal stratification in the reservoirs. Dynamic numerical simulations of water flow, thermal stratification and sedimentation process constitute the basis of sustainable reservoir management. Indeed, the thermal stratification may have a big influence in the reservoir conditions and the quality of the stored water. In this study, we will begin by simulating the thermal stratification in four reservoirs in the northern side of Tunisia by applying a one dimensional numerical simulation model. Then we will investigate on the behavior of the water quality parameters towards the change of the temperature of the stored water in all the reservoirs. Finally, we will present the effect of a selective withdrawal on one of the four reservoirs.

Biomarkers of pollution in soils irrigated with wastewater in Tunisia.

Wastewater reuse for irrigation is expected in the Mediterranean basin as a sustainable alternative with socio-economic benefits. However, wastewater carries considerable amounts of harmful chemicals and trace toxic metals that are able to accumulate in soil. This pollution loading is threatening both the vegetation and the groundwater and, consequently, human health. Therefore, in this study, in vitro bioassays were used to evaluate the adverse effects of wastewater and soil extract samples, on mammalian cells, with respect to heavy metal content (Ni, Cd, Pb, Fe and Al). The irrigation water, from a wastewater treatment plant, was sampled at Zaouit-Sousse perimeter in Tunisia. A representative soil profile irrigated with wastewater (0-90 cm) and a nonirrigated profile (0-40 cm), serving as a control, were sampled in the olive-treeoccupied perimeter. The estrogenic activity of the samples was investigated using the E-screen assay, while the heat shock protein (HSP) 47 assay aimed to determine the stress response of HSP 47-promoter-transfected cells following sample addition. Furthermore, proteomics analyses were performed, aiming to establish specific biomarkers of environmental pollutants. The irrigation water samples induced a high estrogenic activity when the MCF-7 cells were treated at 10% due to the presence of estrogenic compounds. The E-screen assay revealed a cytotoxic effect of the surface soil samples (0-20 cm), even at low concentrations (0.001%). Furthermore, the proteomics experiments allowed the identification of specific biomarkers for estrogenicity and cytotoxicity on MCF-7 cells. Moreover, significant stress response was observed following the incubations of the HSP 47-promoter-transfected cells with wastewater samples,

ON THE SALINITY DECREASE IN OPPA BAY CAUSED BY A SNOW-MELT FRESHET FROM KITAKAMI RIVER

Behavior of low salinity water caused by a freshet from Kitakami River to Oppa bay was studied by field measurements and satellite image analysis. In the field measurements, data of salinity and turbidity in the surface mixed layer were collected along many lines continuously by towing a measurement devices unit. The results show a high correlation between the salinity decrement and the turbidity increment transported by the freshet. In the satellite image analysis, Band-2 of Landsat-7 data was firstly normalized by adjusting the values at some reference points so that images of different times could be compared with one another. Then, a regression analysis was made for the normalized data vs turbidity data. Finally, three satellite images were converted to maps of salinity distribution in the bay via turbidity mapping. The series of salinity maps show the behavior of freshet clearly and reasonably.

ESTIMATION OF THE VERTICAL PROFILE OF GROUND WATER PERMEABILITY FROM A RECORD OF WATER SURFACE FLUCTUATION IN A WELL CAUSED BY PUMPING FOR DAILY WATER USE

生活に使用されている井戸では,揚水されるたびに細かな水位変動が生じる.その際の水位回復速度は,その時期の水位に対応する見かけの透水係数を反映していると考えられる.そこで,本研究では,このような水位変動のデータから地盤の透水係数の鉛直分布を推定する方法論を述べるとともに,一つのケーススタディを提示する.水位回復過程の解析には,入江ら(1999)の提案した飽和・不飽和浸透流計算手法を円筒座標系に書き換えて適用した.また,計算手法の妥当性を室内実験で検証するとともに,透水係数以外の土質パラメーターの影響度を検討し,本問題に対する同計算法の適用性を明らかにした. 横浜市西部にある和泉川流域の関東ローム台地において井戸水位の現地観測を実施し,種々の水位条件における日間水位変動を抽出した.次に,上記の浸透流計算法によって個々の水位回復過程を再現し,各時期における見かけの透水係数を算定した.この結果をもとに,地盤の層構造と各層の透水係数を推定したところ,同地点周辺において過去に得られている地質資料と十分整合する結果が得られた.