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The anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) and sardine (Strangomera bentincki) are coastal pelagic species with important spawning areas off the coast of Chile. The discharge of secondary-treated effluents from a kraft pulp plant near one of these spawning areas has raised environmental concerns. Therefore, effluent effects on the development of anchoveta and sardine eggs were assessed by in vitro exposure. Eggs were sampled between 2007 and 2010 off Talcahuano, Chile. Subsequent toxicity tests (96 h duration, 12 °C) were performed using increasing effluent concentrations, a filtered seawater control, and two potassium dichromate concentrations (to verify consistent embryonic sensitivity). Egg mortality and hatching success were evaluated. For anchoveta, mortality (9.9 ± 7.1%) did not significantly differ among groups in five toxicity tests except the final toxicity test that showed significant differences in mortality (5.6% control vs 27.8% in 100% effluent). For sardines, no differences in mortality existed between the effluent dilutions (2.6 ± 3.6%) and control (6.3 ± 3.9%). Notably, anchoveta egg survival and hatching success rates were inconsistent, i.e., the highest rates of hatching failure occurred on the same sampling date with the highest rates of survival for the 100% effluent group (72%). In conclusion, the obtained results indicate that (i) anchoveta egg mortality and hatching failure increase only under 100% effluent exposure, coinciding with decreased egg quality near the end of spawning season and (ii) high effluent dilutions not significantly increase sardine and anchoveta egg mortalities. Nevertheless, the recorded adverse effects to the hatching process should be studied in greater detail, particularly considering interspecific variability and the complexity of reproductive processes, especially during early development.

Use of unauthorized synthetic drugs is a serious, forensic, regulatory and public health issue. In this scenario, consumption of drug-impregnated blotters is very frequent. For decades, blotters have been generally impregnated with the potent hallucinogen known as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD); however, since 2013 blotter stamps with N-2 methoxybenzyl-substituted phenylethylamine hallucinogen designated as "NBOMes" have been seized in Chile. To address this issue with readily accessible laboratory equipment, we have developed and validated a new HPTLC method for the identification and quantitation of 25-C-NBOMe in seized blotters and its confirmation by GC-MS. The proposed method was validated according to SWGTOX recommendations and is suitable for routine analysis of seized blotters containing 25-C-NBOMe. With the validated method, we analyzed 15 real samples, in all cases finding 25-C-NBOMe in a wide dosage range (701.0-1943.5 µg per blotter). In this situation, we can assume that NBOMes are replacing LSD as the main hallucinogenic drug consumed in blotters in Chile., (© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press.)

The quantities of e-waste are expected to increase sharply in Chile. The purpose of this paper is to provide a quantitative data basis on generated e-waste quantities. A material flow analysis was carried out assessing the generation of e-waste from computer equipment (desktop and laptop PCs as well as CRT and LCD-monitors). Import and sales data were collected from the Chilean Customs database as well as from publications by the International Data Corporation. A survey was conducted to determine consumers' choices with respect to storage, re-use and disposal of computer equipment. The generation of e-waste was assessed in a baseline as well as upper and lower scenarios until 2020. The results for the baseline scenario show that about 10,000 and 20,000 tons of computer waste may be generated in the years 2010 and 2020, respectively. The cumulative e-waste generation will be four to five times higher in the upcoming decade (2010-2019) than during the current decade (2000-2009). By 2020, the shares of LCD-monitors and laptops will increase more rapidly replacing other e-waste including the CRT-monitors. The model also shows the principal flows of computer equipment from production and sale to recycling and disposal. The re-use of computer equipment plays an important role in Chile. An appropriate recycling scheme will have to be introduced to provide adequate solutions for the growing rate of e-waste generation., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background, Aim, and Scope: The Cruces River, which is located in southwest Chile, suffered from dramatic changes after the opening of a large pulp mill in 2004. A large mass mortality of the vegetation occurred. In particular, the Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa), which is the main food source of many water birds in this ecosystem, disappeared. Because of this damage, different investigations took place and the goal of this research was a description of the water quality, including filtrate, suspended matter, and sediment. In this research, inorganic parameters were the main point of interest. Furthermore, finding relations between the sampling sites and the measured parameters by applying chemometric methods was another aim of this investigation., Materials and Methods: Water and sediment samples were collected from 19 sampling sites at the Cruces River in summer (February) 2007. Fifteen elements were analyzed by atomic spectroscopic methods in filtrate, suspended matter, and sediment. Furthermore, the dissolved organic carbon, humic acids, and microbiological parameters were examined., Results: The quantitative description of the three different compartments indicates little influence of the pulp mill on the Cruces River. The comparison of the results with the Databank for Ecotoxicological Effect Data and Quality Targets illustrates the good quality of the water in the sanctuary. All quality targets, except for copper, are achieved. The amount of suspended matter increases with the beginning of the wetland. The multivariate statistical data analysis classifies the relations between the objects and variables., Discussion: The influence of the sewage, which is blamed to be the reason for increased amount of suspended matter, cannot be evaluated by this investigation. The slight increase of the concentrations of the earth alkaline and alkaline metals might cause changes in the chemical equilibrium and, therefore, the amount of suspended matter increases. Applying cluster analysis separates sampling sites by the determination of similarities between these sampling sites by means of the variables. Space-time factor analysis revealed relations between the examined parameters., Conclusions: The sewage of the pulp mill is not significantly polluted by the analyzed parameters and a negative influence to the ecosystem cannot be proved., Recommendations and Perspectives: The impact of copper should be examined in further investigations. The Pichoy River, with high concentrations of iron in the filtrate, should be examined as well. Studies about the chemical equilibrium of iron and manganese oxides in relation to the alkaline and earth alkaline elements should take place.

The new "Hazardous Waste Management Regulation" was published in the Official Newspaper of the Chilean Republic on 12 June 2003, being in force 365 days after its publication (i.e., 12 June 2004). During the next 180 days after its publication (i.e., until 12 December 2004), each industrial facility was obligated to present a "Hazardous Waste Management Plan" if the facility generates more than 12 ton/year hazardous wastes or more than 12 kg/year acute toxic wastes. Based on the Chilean industrial figures and this new regulation, hazardous waste management plans were carried out in three facilities of the most important sectors of Chilean industrial activity: a paper production plant, a Zn and Pb mine and a sawmill and wood remanufacturing facility. Hazardous wastes were identified, classified and quantified in all facilities. Used oil and oil-contaminated materials were determined to be the most important hazardous wastes generated. Minimization measures were implemented and re-use and recycling options were analyzed. The use of used oil as alternative fuel in high energy demanding facilities (i.e., cement facilities) and the re-refining of the used oil were found to be the most suitable options. In the Zn and Pb mine facility, the most important measure was the beginning of the study for using spent oils as raw material for the production of the explosives used for metals recovery from the rock. In Chile, there are three facilities producing alternative fuels from used oil, while two plants are nowadays re-refining oil to recycle it as hydraulic fluid in industry. In this sense, a proper and sustainable management of the used oil appears to be promissory.

Caging experiments were conducted using hatchery-reared, immature, female rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in three previously defined areas of the Biobio River (south central Chile) representing a pollution gradient from the pulp and paper mill discharges area: a pre-impact area (upstream area, reference location), an impact area (area directly influenced), and a postimpact area (downstream area, less influenced). No significant changes were observed in the physiological index as represented by condition factor (K) and liver somatic index during different sampling times (after 11, 21, and 30 d of exposure). Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activities were significantly higher in trout caged at the impact and postimpact discharges areas (two- to fourfold) compared with the reference (pre-impact) area, and a strong inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity, reaching 50%, was observed mainly in fish caged at the impact area. A significant endocrine-disrupting effect (reproductive level) was evidenced by significant increments in gonad somatic index and plasma vitellogenin levels combined with an induction of gonad maturation (presence of vitellogenic oocytes) in trout caged at the impact and postimpact areas. These results, generated by an in situ approach, confirmed our group's findings for trout exposed to sediment in the laboratory: discharges of pulp mill effluent in the Biobio River are associated with the effects evaluated at different biological levels.