Best regression analysis revealed that dioxin-like mono-ortho PCB accounted for the immunosuppressive responses. In the Baltic seals, the immunosuppressive effects were limited to the more persistent 3-Methyladenine molecular weight dioxin-like mono-ortho PCB. In the Atlantic seals a positive correlation existed between PCB concentrations and mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation responses. Although direct cause-effect relationships are difficult to demonstrate in free-ranging animals, our results are consistent with the weight of evidence available that PCB, and dioxin-like PCB in particular, modulate lymphocyte function in free-ranging

marine mammals. Thus, exposure to PCB most likely result in increased susceptibility to infections or reduced host resistance in pinnipeds.”
“The effect of cadmium (Cd) on the growth rate learn more of the green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata was investigated at three different levels of water hardness in an artificial growth medium and in three nutrient spiked, Norwegian natural soft lake waters. The lake water with the lowest levels of hardness and dissolved organic

carbon (DOC) (Lake Byglandsfjorden) showed the highest toxicity attributed to Cd. In water from this lake without addition of calcium and artificial chelators, the EC50 for inhibition of growth rate was 9.4 g Cd/L and EC10 was 2.8 g Cd/L. When the hardness of the waters was increased check details by addition of calcium the adverse effects of Cd were in general reduced. In all tested media, the concentration/effect slope was reduced with increasing hardness. This led to a higher effect of hardness on EC50 than EC10.”
“Samples of surface soil, flaking paint, concrete, transformer oils, and small capacitors were collected from the three largest coal-mining settlements on SpitsbergenBarentsburg (Russian), Pyramiden (Russian), and Longyearbyen (Norwegian)to study the role of potential local sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in the arctic areas (78 N). Median

concentrations of PCB7 in soil from Barentsburg and Pyramiden were 0.268 and 0.172 mg/kg, respectively, with a maximum concentration of 28.7 mg/kg. High concentrations found in paint (3520 mg/kg) and small capacitors (114,000 mg/kg) indicated that these two are the main sources of local PCB contamination. Only traces of PCB were found in the Longyearbyen samples compared to the results from the other two settlements. Large amounts of building refuse, electrical waste, and scrap metals constitute major pollution sources in Barentsburg and Pyramiden. Weathering and general decay facilitate the mobilization of PCB from these sources to the local soil, which consequently is readily available for fluvial and eolian transport to the more vulnerable marine environment.